Underage Substance Use/Abuse

Why is it Important to look at early use of illegal substances?

There are serious short term and long term impacts of underage drinking and illegal drug use:

In the short run, it increases the incidences of violence, vandalism, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, traffic crashes, academic difficulties, date rape, unintentional injuries, and illnesses.

In the long run, it leads to alcoholism and drug addiction (the younger people are when they start using, the more likely they are to become addicted), death or permanent injury in traffic crashes, dropping out of school, teen parenting, suicide, family violence, stunted physical and mental development, and chronic disease.

A broad spectrum of public health and safety problems are directly linked with substance abuse including addiction, traffic accidents, domestic violence, crime, unintended pregnancy, and serious conditions such as cancer, liver disease, HIV/AIDS, and birth defects.

Substance use/abuse is connected with several high risk behaviors. Among these issues are: teen pregnancy, drinking and driving, academic failure, criminal activity, family problems, homelessness, violence, decreased employment productivity and absenteeism.

• Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for a variety of serious illnesses such as heart disease and lung cancer.
• Alcohol misuse increases the risk of motor vehicle crashes, chronic liver disease, and problems in personal relationships. 
• Drug use costs the community in increased health care costs, higher taxes, unemployment, and increased insurance rates.

The three leading causes of death for 15- to 24-year-olds are automobile crashes, homicides and suicides -- alcohol is a leading factor in all three.  (The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking. HHS, Office of the Surgeon General, 2007.)

Barriers to reducing teen substance abuse include:

• Parents who see teen alcohol and marijuana use as a "right of passage".
• Adults who buy alcohol for teens.
• Alcohol sales establishments that sell to underage buyers.
  

Georgia Student Health Survey (GSHS II)

The Georgia Student Health Survey [CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)] obtains information from a random sample of public middle and high school students about the prevalence and age of initiation of various health risk behaviors such as tobacco use, physical activity, eating habits, alcohol and drug use, and behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence.