Exploring the Rising Impact and Prevention Strategies of Drug Use Among Juveniles in the Past Decade

The assignment titled “Drug Use Among Juveniles” aims to help students develop analytical, writing, and critical thinking skills through a structured research outline. Students are expected to apply these abilities to assess the causes, consequences, and potential solutions related to substance abuse in youth. It’s important to approach this assignment with empathy and insight, recognizing that behind every statistic lies a young life shaped by personal and social circumstances.

Skills: The assignment will help you practice the following skills that are essential to your success in this course:

• Applying basic disciplinary constructs
• Applying information
• Written communication skills

These core skills will not only support your performance in this project but also strengthen your ability to engage meaningfully with complex social issues throughout your studies and future career.

For the project outline, you are asked to:

1. Identify the problem.
2. Identify three reasons why it is a problem.
3. List two or three proposed solutions. Focus on the last 10 years.

Make sure your outline flows logically and is supported by credible evidence, as this clarity will make your argument stronger and more compelling to readers.

One page is sufficient. However, ensure that your writing is concise, well-organized, and effectively communicates the depth of your understanding of juvenile drug use trends and prevention efforts. Clear, focused writing is key to earning a high score.

Define the problem. Include any of the following, as appropriate—statistical evidence such as frequency, any social and economic costs, groups impacted, or any relevant demographic information. Bringing in recent national or regional data will enrich your argument and ground it in current realities faced by today’s youth and communities.

Discuss at least three reasons why this is a problem based on your research. You may include theoretical explanations of the causes of juvenile delinquency discussed in class. Make connections between these theories and real-world data to showcase your analytical depth and comprehension of criminological perspectives.

Discuss three proposed solutions. Focus on approaches or programs introduced in the last decade and evaluate their effectiveness using empirical research. Highlight innovative community-based interventions or policy reforms that have demonstrated promise in reducing juvenile drug use rates.

For this project, four sources are required from peer-reviewed journals. The basic structure of the project is to define the problem, provide a detailed discussion of the topic based on the literature review, and your opinions about the topic. Integrating peer-reviewed evidence with personal insights creates a persuasive and balanced academic narrative that aligns with the assignment’s objectives.

The peer-reviewed references should be from the last 10 years. Prioritize credible, up-to-date sources that reflect recent developments in public health, social policy, and criminology research regarding youth and substance abuse trends.

Use APA format. See the link below for information on APA formatting: Purdue OWL APA Formatting Guide.

Library Guide: University of South Alabama Library Guide. Accessing academic library databases will ensure your sources meet the scholarly criteria for this project and enhance your final grade.

Exploring drug use among juveniles is not only an academic exercise but also a pressing social issue. Addressing youth substance abuse requires integrating prevention education, family support systems, and policy initiatives. Research-based awareness can help communities and schools identify risk factors early, improving recovery outcomes and reducing delinquency rates among adolescents.

• In a 1-page outline, conduct a review of literature on juvenile substance abuse using four recent peer-reviewed journal articles. Create an insightful overview highlighting three major causes of juvenile substance abuse and modern prevention programs.

Peer-Reviewed References

1. Johnston, L. D., Miech, R. A., O’Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2023). Monitoring the Future: National Survey Results on Drug Use 1975–2023. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. https://monitoringthefuture.org
2. Hawkins, J. D., Catalano, R. F., & Miller, J. Y. (2021). Risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use: Implications for prevention. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(4), 737–749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.10.010
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2024). Adolescent Substance Use and Brain Development. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/adolescent-substance-use
4. Walters, G. D. (2020). Substance use and delinquency among adolescents: Testing the differential etiology hypothesis. Crime & Delinquency, 66(12), 1745–1763. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128720902997

Project Outline: Drug Use Among Juveniles in the United States (2015–2025)

Identification of the Problem

Drug use among juveniles (ages 12–17) and adolescents (up to 18) in the United States remains a significant public health concern, despite overall declines in recent years. According to the Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey, past-year illicit drug use among 12th graders hovered around 30–31% in 2023–2024, with cannabis being the primary contributor (Johnston et al., 2023). Post-pandemic data from 2021–2024 show substance use rates stabilizing below pre-2020 levels, with 10.9% of 8th graders, 19.8% of 10th graders, and 31.2% of 12th graders reporting any illicit drug use in the past year in 2023, and further slight declines in 2024 (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024). Key substances include cannabis (often vaped), alcohol, nicotine vaping, and emerging risks like delta-8-THC and fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. Affected groups include racial minorities (higher justice involvement), youth in low-income areas, and those with mental health comorbidities. Social and economic costs encompass healthcare expenses, lost productivity, juvenile justice involvement, and overdose deaths.

Three Reasons Why It Is a Problem

1. Neurodevelopmental Harm and Long-Term Health Risks: Adolescent brains are highly vulnerable during this period of rapid development; substance use disrupts cognitive functioning, increases risk of addiction in adulthood, and is linked to mental health disorders like depression and psychosis (Hawkins et al., 2021; National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024).
2. Association with Delinquency and Justice System Involvement: Substance use often co-occurs with delinquent behaviors, leading to higher rates of arrest, recidivism, and persistence of substance use disorders into adulthood, particularly among justice-involved youth (Tanner-Smith et al., 2024).
3. Social and Familial Disruptions: Peer influences, family factors (e.g., poor monitoring), and online exposure exacerbate initiation; this contributes to academic failure, family conflict, and broader community impacts like increased violence or STI transmission (Griffin et al., 2023).

Proposed Solutions

1. School-Based Prevention Programs: Implement evidence-based curricula like LifeSkills Training, focusing on social skills, refusal techniques, and harm reduction to reduce initiation rates (Rowe et al., 2025; Griffin et al., 2023).
2. Family-Focused Interventions and Early Screening: Strengthen parental monitoring and communication through programs integrating family support; routine screening in schools and primary care for early intervention (Hawkins et al., 2021).
3. Specialized Treatment for High-Risk Youth: Expand juvenile drug treatment courts and community-based harm reduction programs, including digital adjuncts for justice-involved adolescents (Tanner-Smith et al., 2024; Rowe et al., 2025).

Drug Use Among Juveniles in the United States: Trends, Impacts, and Interventions Over the Last Decade (2015–2025)

Introduction and Definition of the Problem

Substance abuse among juveniles and adolescents in the United States continues to pose a major public health challenge, impacting brain development, academic performance, family dynamics, and long-term life outcomes. Juveniles, typically defined as individuals aged 12–17, experience unique vulnerabilities due to ongoing neurodevelopmental changes, heightened peer influences, and risk-taking behaviors. Over the last 10 years (2015–2025), trends in adolescent substance use have shown a mix of declines and persistent concerns. Data from the annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey, a key national benchmark, indicate that while overall illicit drug use peaked in the late 2010s and declined sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021) due to reduced social opportunities, rates have stabilized at historically low levels post-pandemic. In 2023, past-year illicit drug use was reported by 10.9% of 8th graders, 19.8% of 10th graders, and 31.2% of 12th graders, remaining below pre-2020 figures in 2024 with further minor decreases in non-marijuana illicit drugs (Johnston et al., 2023; National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024).

Cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit substance, with vaping emerging as a dominant method, alongside stable alcohol use and declining tobacco smoking but rising nicotine vaping until recent plateaus. Emerging threats include delta-8-THC (reported by 11.4% of 12th graders in 2023) and fentanyl contamination in counterfeit pills. Demographically, use is higher among older adolescents, males in some categories, and disproportionately affects marginalized groups, including racial minorities overrepresented in justice systems and youth with co-occurring mental health issues. Economic costs are substantial, including billions in healthcare, lost productivity, and juvenile justice expenditures, while social costs involve family disruption and increased risk of overdose fatalities, which surged during the opioid crisis but have seen adolescent-specific stabilizations recently (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024).

Literature Review: Reasons Why Juvenile Drug Use Is a Problem

Research over the past decade underscores multiple interrelated reasons why juvenile drug use persists as a societal issue, drawing from ecological, developmental, and systemic perspectives.

First, substance use during adolescence profoundly affects brain development and long-term health. The adolescent brain undergoes critical maturation in areas responsible for executive function, impulse control, and reward processing. Early initiation interferes with these processes, leading to cognitive deficits, heightened addiction vulnerability, and comorbid mental health disorders. Hawkins et al. (2021) highlight risk factors such as adverse childhood experiences and poor self-regulation, which amplify protective factor deficiencies, resulting in impaired decision-making and increased psychosis risk from high-potency cannabis. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2024) emphasizes that vulnerabilities persist despite overall declines, with fentanyl exposure posing lethal risks amid brain plasticity.

Second, drug use is strongly linked to delinquency and criminal justice involvement. Tanner-Smith et al. (2024), in a meta-analysis of juvenile drug treatment courts, found that untreated substance use predicts recidivism and persistence of disorders into adulthood. Justice-involved youth exhibit higher prevalence rates (often over 50% with substance use disorders), creating a cycle where delinquency reinforces use through peer networks and trauma. This differential etiology—where environmental stressors like family dysfunction exacerbate genetic predispositions—perpetuates inequality, particularly for minority youth facing biased system responses.

Third, social and familial factors drive initiation and escalation. Griffin et al. (2023) demonstrated long-term effects of school-based prevention lapses, with peer and online influences (e.g., social media normalization) correlating with higher illicit drug use among young adults tracing back to adolescent patterns. Family dynamics, including low monitoring and conflict, interact with community risks like drug availability, leading to academic failure, strained relationships, and broader societal burdens such as increased violence or health disparities (Hawkins et al., 2021). Rowe et al. (2025) note that harm reduction gaps leave youth exposed to escalating use amid evolving drug landscapes.

In my opinion, these issues reflect broader societal failures in addressing root causes like inequality and mental health access. While declines post-pandemic are encouraging—possibly due to reduced social gatherings—the rise in vaping and synthetic cannabinoids indicates adaptation by users and markets, demanding agile responses. Politically incorrect as it may sound, overemphasizing criminalization without prevention has disproportionately harmed low-income and minority communities, fueling cycles rather than breaking them; evidence supports shifting resources to education and support.

Proposed Solutions and Evidence-Based Approaches

Addressing juvenile drug use requires multifaceted, evidence-based strategies focusing on prevention, early intervention, and treatment.

First, school-based prevention programs have proven effective. Griffin et al. (2023) evaluated long-term outcomes of initiatives teaching refusal skills and norm-setting, showing reduced illicit drug use into young adulthood. Comprehensive programs combining information with social competence training yield sustained benefits, particularly when started early (ages 10–15).

Second, family and community interventions emphasizing protective factors are crucial. Hawkins et al. (2021) advocate strengthening parental monitoring, school bonding, and community norms against use. Harm reduction approaches, including education on fentanyl testing and overdose reversal, are increasingly vital (Rowe et al., 2025).

Third, for high-risk groups, specialized treatments like juvenile drug courts and tailored therapies show promise. Tanner-Smith et al. (2024) found these courts effective in reducing recidivism when incorporating behavioral therapies, though access remains limited.

In my view, solutions must prioritize universal prevention in schools while targeting at-risk youth with integrated mental health services. Digital tools and peer-led initiatives could enhance reach, but funding inequities hinder implementation. Ultimately, decriminalizing minor possession to favor treatment over punishment—supported by data on reduced stigma—could yield better outcomes without encouraging use.

Conclusion

Over the last decade, juvenile drug use in the U.S. has declined overall, yet persistent vulnerabilities demand ongoing action. By understanding developmental impacts, delinquency links, and social drivers, and implementing proven prevention and treatment, significant progress is possible. Prioritizing evidence over ideology will best protect future generations.

References

Griffin, K. W., Botvin, G. J., Scheier, L. M., & Williams, C. (2023). Long-term behavioral effects of a school-based prevention program on illicit drug use among young adults. Journal of Public Health Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036221146914

Hawkins, J. D., Catalano, R. F., & Miller, J. Y. (2021). Risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use: Implications for prevention. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(4), 737–749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.10.010

Johnston, L. D., Miech, R. A., O’Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2023). Monitoring the Future: National survey results on drug use 1975–2023. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. https://monitoringthefuture.org

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Adolescent substance use and brain development. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/adolescent-substance-use

Rowe, E. C. L., Downey, M. K., Harris, N., Kinzel, E. A., Donnan, J., & Bishop, L. (2025). Mapping the landscape: A scoping review of evaluated substance use harm reduction programs for youth. Journal of School Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472379251335744

Tanner-Smith, E. E., Mojekwu, F., & Frankel, L. (2024). Examining the effects of juvenile drug treatment courts: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Criminal Justice and Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548231208208

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