By: Sosie Casteel | Writer
February 19, 2020
Since 1990, the drug prevention and mental health organization, CADCA, has hosted a leadership forum for coalitions from throughout the United States. Representatives from as many states as possible can come and listen to seminars, participate in workshops, and confer with the congressman corresponding to their region.
During this year’s National Annual Leadership Forum, San Clemente High School’s Wellness and Prevention Youth Coalition had the opportunity to talk with Congressman Mike Levin about the prevention activities done in 2019 and the state of drug misuse in the high school. Despite his jam-packed schedule for the Trump votes, Congressman Levin went out of his way between votes to listen to the WPC.
“It’s very important to me to hear what you guys have to say,” Congressman Levin said.
The second leading cause of death for people aged 12 to 20 is suicide. Suicidal thoughts is not only a cause of drug misuse but also a result. While studies show that cigarette and prescription drug abuse are becoming less prominent, the electronic cigarette use in teens has skyrocketed over the last few years. Despite the recent “flavor ban” teenagers have been able to purchase electronic cigarettes through Snapchat, websites, and other social media platforms. Any teenager can get a hold of electronic cigarette products, and many are unaware of the dangers that accompany electronic cigarette use.
Electronic cigarettes can contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Others contain THC and other harmful chemicals that affect the body especially in those still developing. One of the many dangers of nicotine includes its power over the individual as it can lead to other more dangerous drugs later in life.
Part of the appeal to drug misuse at a young age comes from the promotion on popular social media apps such as Snapchat and TikTok. Celebrities post pictures or videos of their products and recommend them to the public.
“Yeah drug use is awful,” an anonymous source said. “I don’t see it in person but I know I’ve seen it many times on social media being posted by students.”
If somebody feels the need to get high or do drugs to escape, it implies they’re not naturally happy. Most who get hooked on drugs started out experimenting; usually in senior year or in the early years of college. While some may believe experimenting is harmless, in reality the substances they’re “just messing around with” can easily become hard to stop. In California, recreational marijuana use is legal, however prescription marijuana use is legal everywhere and easy to prescribe as a pain reliever.
“I think that if it helps people in a positive way like marijuana and prescription drugs and hallucinogens they should be able to take it,” San Clemente High School junior Josh Salwender said.
The drug misuse and poor mental health rates among students are rising in general despite suppression from local coalitions as well as CADCA’s hundreds of coalitions throughout the country. Unfortunately, primary prevention is both the most vital and the most difficult solution to the epidemic, however our congressmen and California administrations alike are working towards a more efficient approach with students.
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