DRUG ABUSE

“Drug abuse can be defined in different ways, depending on the type of drug being used or the manner in which the drug is being used,” said Ms. Denys Koenigs, the CHS counselor. “Using prescription drugs that are not prescribed to you or in a manner or dosage other than the way prescribed by your doctor is considered drug abuse. The misuse of prescription drugs is a growing concern among teenagers. Drug abuse can also be defined as the use of any drug that leads to self-damaging behaviors, addiction or psychological harm — commonly seen with illegal drugs, alcohol or overuse of over-the-counter drugs.”

Among the many different types of substances students use are alcohol, marijuana, opioids, prescription drugs, Adderall and over-the-counter medications, such as cough syrup, Ms. Koenigs said.

According to District School Resource Officer Deputy Jacob Meyer, drug trends are always changing. Currently, heroin and prescription drugs top the list of abused drugs in the adult population outside of school.

“The entire state of Wisconsin is dealing with an influx of heroin, which often has deadly results from overdoses,” Deputy Meyer said. “Additionally, prescription drug abuse has become more and more common, and studies have shown that there is a direct link to prescription drug abuse leading to heroin use later on. From a student perspective, this is what is so concerning about kids that abuse prescription drugs. The long-term effects and addiction can result in moving to more serious drug usage later on.”

In his opinion of students using controlled substances, CHS Principal Mr. Ty Breitlow said, “What I find very disheartening is that students believe that in some cases they can take a pill and it makes them smarter, makes them focused. I mean, we’ve gotten to that point in our society. And it’s frustrating because people don’t realize that the power of will can supercede any medication.”

School and Legal Consequences

Deputy Meyer explained the consequences of drug possession and abuse: “There are two different entities that can issue consequences to students in cases of buying/selling drugs on school grounds — the school and law enforcement. Not just in the building either — but even in the parking lot or at Morrissey Park, since both of those areas are still protected by school policy.

Concerning school repercussions, Deputy Meyer said that the consequences for buying and/or selling drugs can range from suspension all the way up to being expelled.

Of the legal repercussions, he said that the laws that apply to these cases differ dependent on the particular circumstances.

“The drug type and quantity determine the severity of the charges,” Deputy Meyer said. “For example, selling marijuana has a less severe penalty than selling cocaine or heroin. As for those that are buying drugs, they could be charged with possession of the drug. Selling any drug is typically a felony, but the type and quantity will determine the level of the felony.

“Possession of drugs ranges from misdemeanors to felonies, again depending on the type and quantity,” he said. “The cut-off age when a student is not necessarily considered a minor when facing criminal charges is 17. At the age of 17, students can be charged as an adult for criminal actions in certain cases. Any age under 17 will result in the student receiving a ‘juvenile referral’ instead of criminal charges, which is a fancy way of saying they’re charged with the same crime as an adult, but will have different consequences. For example, a 15 year old would not get sent to adult prison, but could be sent to juvenile detention which is jail for children.”

The cause of drug abuse is not fully known but likely include genetic predisposition, co-occurring conditions and environmental circumstances. Drug use and experimentation is common in pre-adolescents and adolescents, but only a small percentage of those users will go on to abuse drugs.

Read more detailed information on teenage drug abuse statistics.

Genetics as a Cause of Drug Abuse

While many people use drugs, only a small percentage abuse drugs, but it has been noted drug abuse often runs in families, suggesting genetics is one of the causes of drug abuse. While having parents that abuse drugs puts a child at risk, it is possible for the child to grow up without drug abuse problems. It is also possible to abuse drugs without having any other drug abuser in the family. It is clear genetics alone is not the cause of drug abuse.

Co-Occurring Conditions as Drug Abuse Causes

Drug abuse often occurs alongside other conditions like mental illness. While mental illness itself is not thought to cause drug abuse, one condition may indicate, and be complicated by, the other. One of the causes of drug abuse may be the attempt to manage the symptoms of an underlying mental illness.

For example, a person with depression may repeatedly use a drug to "get high" as an escape from their depressive mood (called self-medication). The depression wasn't the cause of drug abuse, but it was a contributing factor. It is known, however, not everyone with a mental illness abuses drugs so mental illness alone is not the cause of drug abuse.

Environmental Causes of Drug Abuse

There are certain life circumstances, particularly among younger users, that are risk factors for, rather than the direct cause of, drug abuse. Parental abuse and neglect are commonly seen as part of the cause of drug abuse. An adolescent or pre-adolescent may be trying to gain attention from an inattentive parent or escape an abusive one by using drugs; prolonged attempts through drug use can be a cause of drug abuse. A drug user, or the presence of drugs in the home, can also be a major cause of drug abuse.1

Read more information on drug abuse in teenagers.

Additional risk factors contributing to the causes of drug abuse include:

• Unstable home environment, often due to drug abuse or mental illness of the parent
• A poor relationship with parents
• Use of drugs by friends / peers
• Permissive attitude towards their own drug use and the drug use of the adolescent
• Behavioral problems combined with poor parenting
• Poor achievement in school
• Apparent ambivalence or approval of drug use in the school, peer group or community
• Availability of drugs from friends

Combination of Causes of Drug Abuse

While genetic, environmental and psychiatric causes of drug abuse are possible, it is likely that a combination of risk factors is truly the cause of drug abuse. If a perrson has a genetic predisposition to drug abuse, that likely indicates one of the parents abuses drugs. This may create an unstable home life and, possibly, emotional or psychological problems. Together, these can become the drug abuse cause

 physical effects of drug addiction include:

• Contraction of HIV, hepatitis and other illnesses.
• Heart rate irregularities, heart attack.
• Respiratory problems such as lung cancer, emphysema and breathing problems.
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea.
• Kidney and liver damage.
• Seizures, stroke, brain damage.