An Examination of the Prevalence of Drug Use among African American Youths

An Examination of the Prevalence of Drug Use among African American Youths

ABSTRACT

The consumption of alcohol, snuff and other drugs in African American youth is a serious health problem, due to the enormous social cost and the damage that causes to individuals, their families and society in general. In general, according to the Adolescent Psychiatry, moderate and severe forms of depression between the ages of 13 to 19 years are rare in youth, but its symptoms can be life-threatening those who have been in this state. Although most prevention researchers focus on adolescents, colleges and universities are a context vulnerable to both substance abuse and violent victimization, represent a setting where substance abuse prevention programming is needed. This research has identified a variety of factors that put African American youth for substance use and abuse and also analyze efforts to prevent substance abuse are concerned with eliminating the risk factors and enhancing the protective factors associated with drug use.

TABLE OF CONTENT

ABSTRACTII

INTRODUCTION1

LITERATURE REVIEW2

CONCLUSION6

SUMMARY9

REFERENCE12

INTRODUCTION

The consumption of alcohol, snuff and other drugs in African American youth is a serious health problem, due to the enormous social cost and the damage that causes to individuals, their families and society in general. More costly still is the fact that the beginning of drugs use occurs mostly during adolescence and young adulthood, connected with the cultural dynamics, where the characteristics of individual determine the substance interaction that consolidates the usage of drugs. It is undeniable that youth receive communications in society in the position against drug use. It is virtually impossible to see a sporting event, go to the movies or read a magazine without find advertising with young people (male and female) with power and success in a consumer context snuff or alcohol, i.e. the use of substances poses a positive way. While the descriptions of advertisements and movies may seem harmless in view of the parent that can be quite attractive for youth. Both the use of licit and illicit drugs can be seen as a viable way to achieve a position of being without too much effort.

Substance abuse is a common correlate of criminal offending and victimization, yet there is no single, universal definition of substance abuse. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders generally defines substance abuse as any substance use that is associated with persistent interpersonal, legal, occupational, and/or educational problems. It can also be used to refer to the use of substances in risky situations. The term substance abuse has been used broadly across research disciplines to cover behaviors such as substance use, misuse, abuse, and dependence. (Long, 2007)

LITERATURE REVIEW

Efforts to prevent substance abuse are concerned with eliminating the risk factors and enhancing the protective factors associated with drug use. The primary goal of substance abuse prevention is to intervene and halt the influence of risk factors while simultaneously enhancing the effects of protective factors against substance use and ...