Recent surveys are turning up disturbing news about American teens, their attitudes toward drugs, and their behaviors and actions. A recent survey from the Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) found that teen abuse of prescription medications has gone up by 33 percent since 2008. This is a huge increase and shows that prescription abuse is a serious player in the realm of substance abuse.
The survey also showed that teens’ attitudes toward prescription drugs are too relaxed. They believe that using them is safer than using street drugs and that it is fine and not dangerous to use someone else’s prescription. They also believe that their parents have a similar attitude. These facts indicate that teens do not fully understand the seriousness and the dangers of using prescription medications incorrectly. Yet another survey recently released shows another troubling teen behavior: driving while under the influence of drugs.
Drugged Driving
As with the misuse of prescription drugs, teens have a relaxed attitude when it comes to driving while using drugs or drinking. A new survey from Students Against Destructive Decisions, or SADD, questioned nearly 2,000 high school juniors and seniors about both their attitudes about driving under the influence, and their actions. The results were troubling.
Nearly one-quarter of the students surveyed admitted that they had driven while under the influence of illegally obtained prescription drugs, marijuana, alcohol, or a combination of these. Even more disturbing is that too many of these young people do not view this as a problem. Twenty percent stated that they think drinking improves their ability to drive, while more than one-third thinks that smoking pot makes them better drivers.
The news comes at a time when many teens are preparing to go to prom, graduation parties and summer gatherings. Now is the time for this type of activity to increase and for parents and educators to step in and prevent it. Not many students in the survey admitted to driving under the influence after prom, probably because it is a school event, tightly chaperoned and controlled for substances. However, many stated that the drugged and drunk driving occurred during the summer.
Changing Attitudes
Both surveys show clearly that too many teens have the wrong attitude when it comes to certain dangerous behaviors. The PATS survey points a finger at all of us. Parents and other adults often fail to take seriously the dangers of misusing prescription drugs. As a result, teens feel the same way. To change teen attitudes about prescriptions and to teach them that misusing them is dangerous, adults and parents need to change first.
Driving under the influence is a little different. Most parents would agree that driving while using drugs or alcohol is a huge no-no. Somehow, not enough teens are getting the message. It is also clear from the survey that students are more likely to engage in driving under the influence when they are participating in unstructured activities. If parents can limit or more closely monitor their teens when they attend non-school events, it would cut down on dangerous driving and the resulting accidents.
Schools also play a role in educating teens about the dangers of intoxication. Education programs have long emphasized drinking and driving and now it seems it is important to include prescription drugs and marijuana in the discussion. There are many ways in which schools can educate students, but one of the most effective is by demonstrations. Driving simulators that can replicate the feeling of driving under the influence, especially those that are in 3-D, are powerful ways to show students just how damaging drugs and alcohol can be to their perception and reactions.
Ultimately, the choices teens make come down to each individual. Parents and teachers cannot constantly monitor teens and help them make the right choices. Adults can, however, be positive influences and equip teens with the information, the skills, and the knowledge needed to make informed and safe choices about drugs, alcohol, and driving.
