In the years 2023-2024, there has been a percentage of 7.03% of children and teens who use drugs in Kentucky alone. To go along with that 9.67% of teens use alcohol. These percentages are way too much for young minds that haven’t fully developed to their full potential. People tend to think that if there is a teen that is using drugs and or drinking alcohol they have wasted their life. The truth is that anyone can get help and restore their life to a better state than before. Young children who get into drugs are often not aware of what it is. Kids either see people doing it and think that it is okay for them to do it, or they are left out around them where they can get it. Knowing kids can let their curiosity get the best of them, many kids pick up the substance and potentially try it.
Young adults and children often do not know the effect that drugs and alcohol can have on their young developing bodies. Drugs and alcohol can stop the development of your brain, causing many lifelong issues. While being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you likely won’t be capable of making decisions and knowing what you are doing. Most teens do drugs and alcohol to fit in with their peers or to feel better due to the temporary relief it can give you from any of the stress and anxiety you might have. Some have difficult home lives and fall into groups that influence destructive behavior. Others do it due to the stress and peer pressure of sports. Either way, why you use drugs and alcohol is unimportant when it comes to the fact that it’s not good for your health, no matter what age you are. It can damage your liver, cause brain damage, or even cause death.
In 2004-2008 there were three Kentucky counties ranked in the top ten for rates of drug poisoning deaths in the nation. These three counties included Bell County at 47.9 deaths per 100,00 population the sixth highest, Clinton County at 46.8 deaths per 100,000 population the seventh highest, and Martin County at 44.5 deaths per 100,000 population the tenth highest. In 2009, 786 people died from drug use. These rates are insane for teens and children who use drugs and alcohol. Youth ages 17-18 years old have been reported for driving under the influence of an illegal drug. Many illegal substances are going around through teens and children and the rates continue to get higher, we can only hope that these numbers decrease.
