The document discusses the relationship between adolescents and illegal substances and potential solutions. It notes the ease with which teens can obtain drugs like alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine today. The effects of substance use on mental and physical health are described. International perspectives are provided on availability, use, and deterrents from places like Pakistan, Holland, Europe, South America, and New Zealand. Proposed solutions include providing more drug education for teens and more strictly enforcing consequences for adolescent drug use.

1. Adolescents and illegal substances
What can be done to prevent this relationship?

2. Introduction
The relationship between Adolescents and illegal substances
has always been prominent and has produced many problems
within families and communities, but nowadays it has become
even easier for adolescents to be involved with illegal
substances such as alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. The whole
illegal economy and industry has been boosted hugely due to
the amount of teens obtaining and using substances illegal to
them. Our group see this as a massive issue in society and
wishes to prevent such an issue from hurting generations in the
future.

3. Effect on Adolescent Body
Drugs are chemicals which can affect the body in lots of different
ways. Certain drugs can change the way the body thinks and works
leaving long lasting permanent effects on your life. Multiple studies
have shown that the use of illegal substances lead to ‘more deaths,
illnesses and injuries than any other preventable health condition.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f1nmqiHIII

4. Effect on Adolescent Body
Mental
Regular Cannabis use leads to
shrinkage in the region of the
brain involved in mental
processing and decision
making. Studies have shown
that one in four cases of
psychotic conditions such as
schizophrenia are direct result of
smoking strong varieties of
Cannabis.
Physical
Researchers have found
adolescents who smoke
cannabis are on average 4.6
inches shorter and 4 kgs lighter
by the age of 20, than non
smokers. In Cannabis users,
increased levels of
testosterone were found
alongside decreased growth
group levels.

5. Cost and Availability
One of the main reasons illegal substances are such a problem with our
adolescents is because of how easy it has become for them to get their hands
on them. Studies have shown that 80% of NZ citizens have used cannabis on
at least one occasion, with 10% getting addicted. Alcohol has become the
easiest illegal substance for adolescents to obtain through parents and dodgy
older friends. Cannabis has become very easy to obtain also especially in the
Bay of Plenty as there are premier growing conditions here.
We have found that in NZ, Marijuana costs approximately $20 per gram, and
between $200 and $500 per ounce, which is relatively cheap around the world.
Cocaine on the other hand costs $480 per gram on average which is the 8th
most expensive in the world.

6. Consequences
We contacted a police officer to get the consequences and this is what we received.
Criminal Liability essentially starts at 14 years of age. This means that no persons under
14 can be charged with an offence unless the charge is Manslaughter or Murder and the
child knew it was wrong. Young persons between 14 and 17 are referred to youth Aid if
they are caught / charged with drug related offences or alcohol related offences. Youth
Aid Police work with the Young Person and their family and have the option of dealing
with the matter by way of alternative action such as a donation to charity, drug
counselling among other options or being charged in the Youth Court which would mean
a conviction on the person’s criminal history. If someone is over 17 they are deemed to
be an adult and if charged with being in possession, consuming, selling Illegal
Substances they would be charged in the District or High Court.

7. How is this a Global issue?
Currently adolescents from around the world are able to get hold of illegal
substances, whether it be poor or rich countries. About 400 billion dollars
account for illegal substances of the world trade. Adolescents are now the
prime target for the drug industry. One of the main reasons for the issue
between youths and drugs is the fact the the drug industries marketing
campaigns are very persuasive and are almost instantly hook the youth.
Statistics show that drugs are now being used by adolescents more than
alcohol. Among the hundreds of different illegal substances out there the most
common found in adolescents hands are alcohol, heroin, cocaine, mandrax,
LSD, ecstasy, cannabis and hallucinogens. However what overwrites
everything is the easy access and availability for these adolescents to get there
hands on illegal substances is the biggest concern.

8. Pakistan Perspective
Just recently a scientist in pakistan examined certain hormone levels in 437 Adolescent
boys in pakistan (220 clean non-smoker’s & 217 regular cannabis users). The results for
cannabis users showed puberty associated hormones were exceptionally higher levels
than that of the non-smokers. The cannabis users physical growth hormones in
comparison however were decreased at lower levels than that of the non-smokers. It was
also found that on average cannabis users were 4kgs lighter and 4.6 inches shorter than
the non-smokers by the age of 20 (last stages of puberty). They also studied the effect on
the cortisol; the stress hormone on cannabis users, and found that stress levels on the
cannabis users are extremely higher than that of the non-smokers. This is extremely
dangerous and unhealthy for these adolescents as it prevents them from fully growing to
their potential and may make them feel agitated and depressed.

9. Holland Perspective
In recent years the legalization of cannabis in the Netherlands has
meant that adolescents are now able to purchase the drug legally
without worrying about getting caught. This has now meant alot more
cannabis coffee shops so adolescents can almost purchase just as we
would go and buy a drink from a dairy. The reason behind the
legalization is that they believe that if they educate they can reduce the
high demand, however where they went wrong was to try and limit the
harm forced on by particular substances which has gone in the
completely wrong direction down hill.

10. Europe Perspective
(Germany, Slovenia, Poland, France)
From the replies we got from these european countries it seems that alcohol usage is a
very big problem over there and is common for adolescents to go out to parties and get
drunk regularly. They also said that it is highly influenced by the others around them and
they do it because it's ‘cool’. In some countries cannabis is legal and we got mixed replies
for it, with everyone saying that it is very common for adolescents to be using it. However
some state that there should be an age limit and some saying it should be eradicated.
Every reply also states that it has become easier for adolescents to obtain illegal
substances because of the internet, economy and wider variety. As for the deterrents to
stop adolescents from obtaining illegal substances it seems that they are not effective
enough and there needs to be more of an emphasis into teaching them about the effects
of it at a younger age by the school, police and goverments.

11. South America Perspective
(Chile, Argentina)
After getting hold of contacts in South American, I can see that alcohol and cigarettes are
very common there. They say that it is part of growing up and is alright to be able to
experience a few times however they don’t think that it should get out of hand and be a
risk to their health. They both state that the use of cannabis and heroin is less common
and shouldn’t be used by anyone. They also believe that it has become easier for
adolescents to obtain illegal substances especially when going out to a party or club as
there is a lot of drug dealers around. They believe that the deterrents for adolescents to
keep away from illegal substances are not effective enough. They believe that the best
way to prevent this relationship is the police and government to crack down on the drug
dealers and educate and help adolescents who have been or using illegal substances.

12. Solutions
Inform
Our first solution is to propose a higher level of focus on illegal
substances as a part of our Health classes to the students at
our school and many more. This is because we believe that it is
not focused on enough as a part of the curriculum and kids
should be more informed about the dangers of illegal
substances. There is currently only a small amount of time
allocated for this topic so more time and focus would help
teenagers to make more informed decisions about what they're
doing.

13. Solutions
Enforce
Our second solution to help prevent this issue is to enforce the
consequences of adolescents being involved with Illegal
substances to a greater extent. This is because we believe that it
is too easy to get away with obtaining illegal substances as a
teen, and being caught with them is not as heavily punished as it
should be. This solution would likely help to decrease the
amount of adolescents involved with illegal substances as they
would actually be very scared of getting caught.