Scripps Howard News Service. (1995, July 18). Teens’ greatest fear is drugs, survey indicates. San Diego Union Tribune.

OVERVIEW

A poll conducted for Columbia University’s drug addiction research center shows that 32 percent of teenagers think that illegal drugs are the biggest problem they must face growing up. The fear of drugs far outweighs their other fears such as crime and violence in schools, peer pressure, making good grades, and going to college.

The survey concluded that 81 percent of teens feel that marijuana is their worst temptation. Furthermore, they consider marijuana to be the "gateway drug to later use of cocaine, heroin, LSD, and other drugs." The study also found that 84 percent of school-age children feel that cigarette smoking is a big problem and 68 percent oppose the excessive use of alcohol.

Joseph Califano, president of Columbia University’s Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, said most teens are aware of the dangers of drugs and have chosen not to use them. "Drugs frighten young people...They feel they’re drenched with drugs and sometime in their lives...they must choose between using drugs or not," he says.

In the past few years there has been a sharp increase in the use of marijuana, cocaine, and other drugs. According to survey results, 54 percent of teenagers reported that one or more of their friends was using drugs. Califano feels that the influence of the media and the growing availability of drugs are the primary reasons for the increase in drug use among young people.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Are you surprised by the findings of the survey?
2. How would you work to keep the young people you know off drugs?

IMPLICATIONS

1. The fact that teens report drug use to be their number one fear means that the pressure to do drugs is very real for young people.
2. According to the findings of this survey, teenagers want to keep away from drugs. Schools and community associations need to continue to give kids the tools (i.e., substance abuse education, anti-drug programs, and health education) to help them resist drugs.
3. Working to minimize or halt the entertainment industry’s glamorization of drugs and alcohol is vital to reducing the numbers of kids enticed into drug use.