Drug Use Risks Answers

Drug use, production, and sales pose a threat to public safety because they increase criminal activity as the desire to fulfill the addiction and make money through drug sales expands. Drug use also increases the spread of disease as individuals battling addictions often make poor judgments concerning sexual behavior, sharing needles, etc. Finally, drug distribution also increases the risk of pollution as chemicals needed to make drugs are dangerously mixed or used, creating an environmental hazard.

Drug users are at risk for suicide because most drugs are a depressant and amplify negative emotions. The depressing effects of these drugs often lead to poor judgment and depression. Once an addiction is formed, loss of control over the amount of drug consumed can lead to further despair. When attempting to withdraw from the drug, the side effects can also be too overwhelming for the drug user to tolerate.

Students may provide any example involving unsafe environmental situations, unprotected intercourse, unsafe driving, negative relationship experiences, school or work performance problems, or criminal behavior.

Answers may include any example involving the child experiencing neglect, physical or emotional abuse, exposure to harmful substances, having emotional issues, or fearful reactions to parental behavior.

Teens should not take drugs because they face lifetime risks. These risks include being more susceptible to the drug's effects. A teen's brain is still developing, and teens have a greater risk for addiction. Taking drugs can cause irreversible effects on the brain and could lead to lifelong struggles, including ways to cope with problems or issues in a healthy manner.