THE COST TO SOCIETY
Children Annual averages for 2015 to 2019 indicate that 21 million children under 17 years of age live with at least one parent who was dependent upon alcohol use (ASPE, 2023). Of these, about 4.9 million children lived with a parent who was dependent upon the substance use (ASPE, 2023). Annual averages for 2015 to 2019 indicated that 21.6 million children under the age of 17 lived in a household with at least one parent who either used marijuana or misused prescription medications. Of these, about 2 million lived with a parent who had drug use disorder, including marijuana and prescription medications. According to Keller (2020), drug use in eighth graders illustrates the nation’s urgent need to continue to address the substance abuse problems in today’s youth. Eighth graders are more likely to carry forward behaviors and attitudes regarding substance use as they age. The middle school years are a time of intense curiosity, rapid growth, and a strong desire to fit in with their peers. Approximately 33% of middle school attendees say students use, keep, or sell drugs within their school (Keller, 2020). Statistics among the eighth graders in 2020 included the following (Keller, 2020; NIDA, 2020a): ● One in four (23.1%) reported having tried alcohol. ● One in eleven (9%) reported having been drunk at least once, with 4% admitting to binge drinking during the previous two weeks. ● 11.5% reported having tried cigarettes, up from 9% in 2017. ● 62% recognized the risk of smoking one or more packs of cigarettes each day; however, for many it is too late, as they have already developed a smoking habit. Psychosocial impact Children in homes where substances are abused suffer from a disruption or lack of healthy family routines and rituals. Parents’ substance abuse may affect their ability to prioritize their child’s basic needs over their own substances. Children whose parents abuse substances commonly experience educational delays and inadequate dental and medical care. It is estimated that 25% of children of mothers who abuse substances do not receive routine child maintenance care in the first two years of life (Lipari & Van Horn, 2017). In addition, there is unnecessary parental conflict and stress, and children generally lack security associated with structure and stability typically provided by parents (Lipari & Van Horn, 2017). Children of substance abusers are 3 times more likely to be physically, emotionally, or sexually abused and are four times more likely to be emotionally or physically neglected (Child Welfare Information Gateway [CWIG], 2021). The rural School performance Educational problems are common in children who have a parent dependent on a substance or who misuses substances. It is estimated that 30% of children from homes with one or both addicted parents have suffered an “adverse childhood experience” or ACE at some point (American SPCC, 2021; National Association for Children of Addiction [NACoA], 2018). These experiences can lead to trauma. Trauma can lead to a multiplicity of challenges in the educational setting including attention deficit disorder, anxiety, depression, and disruption in the classroom. These educational challenges may be secondary to perinatal substance exposure or external distraction from an unstructured or chaotic home environment. Children whose parents misuse a substance have a higher absenteeism rate in school. Their academic productivity is generally compromised. In addition, they are at a greater risk of expulsion and suspension from school. Children are generally distressed by their parents’ abuse and may blame themselves (American SPCC, 2021; NACoA, 2018).
● 7.8% have tried smokeless tobacco with 2.3% using in the previous month and 0.5% using daily. ● 22.7% have tried vaping in their lifetime, with 2% using daily. ● 12.6% reported trying inhalants, compared to 1.2% in 2016. ● 14.8% reported having tried marijuana, 6.5% reported using marijuana in the last month, and 1% report daily use. ● 8.9% report having used amphetamines in their lifetime; 2.2% reporting use within the last month. ● 21.3% reported having tried some illicit drug (heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, LSD) in their lifetime with 8.7% having used within the past month. In summary, the use of so-called gateway drugs (tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, and marijuana) suggests that a significant number are at risk of proceeding to using other drugs such as LSD, cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin. The younger an individual is when they begin drug use, the greater the likelihood that they will become addicted (Keller, 2020). Self-Assessment Quiz Question #1 Aubrey is an eighth grader; based on statistics, what is the chance that she will try illicit drugs in her lifetime?
a. 10%. b. 14%. c. 18%. d. 21%.
populations of children have a higher rate of neglect than urban populations (CWIG, 2021). In addition, the home environment generally lacks appropriate childproofing measures. Open flames and lighters can lead to burns, fires, and explosions where children live. Children of substance abusers are at a greater risk of infectious disease because of the exposure to needles and drug paraphernalia (CWIG, 2021). Children living in these environments tend to witness criminal behavior and interactions and, if they are subjected to sexual abuse or sex trafficking, are exposed to deplorable living conditions. Current data are lacking, but previous estimates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concluded that substance abuse by a parent is the contributing factor for one-thirds to two-thirds of children who are involved in the child welfare system (CWIG, 2021). College-age students who use nonmedical prescription stimulant medications typically have slightly lower grade point averages and are more likely to be heavy drinkers and users of other illicit drugs. In a study of 219 students, who were from seven colleges/ universities in Georgia, the researchers found that 45.7% of the participants were taking prescription stimulants without an attached diagnosis (Fairman et al., 2019). Use of the stimulants was significantly correlated with individuals who were using marijuana and tobacco. In addition, it is noted that the use of marijuana among 19- to 30-year-olds is at an all-time high in 2020 (Johnston et al., 2022). The increase was seen in annual use, 30-day use, and daily use. From 2015 to 2020, the increase was significant, with 4 in 10 young adults using marijuana at least once in the past 12 months, 27% using it at least once in the past 30 days, and 9.8% (1 in 10) using daily for the past three days (Johnston et al., 2022). In terms of illicit drugs other than marijuana, the rate has been fairly steady in the last five years with no significant changes.
EliteLearning.com/Pharmacy-Technician
Book Code: RPTTX2024
Page 33
Powered by FlippingBook