Children become substance abusers for many reasons. Some of the reasons are family members using substances in front of children, environmental impacts or peer pressure. Parents who use substances may have no idea how their behavior will impact their children in later life. They use it in front of their children and get high, or they even order their children to buy the substance (alcohol or drug). As a result, children become exposed, and they assume using drugs or alcohol is normal behavior. Once they become exposed, it will be challenging to come out of it. Some drugs are mixed with other chemicals, and the effect could be neurological damage or even death. According to the CDC, there are 107 543 people died in 2023 from drug overdose problems. This is a critical issue faced by the United States population.
Individuals who use substances might impact the whole family and disturb the equilibrium of the family structures. Since the amount is unknown, if they consume an excessive amount of substance (alcohol or drug), they could impair their health, and as a result, they may end up in a comma. Especially if the individual is a primary financial supporter of the family, and his/her mental health is impaired due to substance abuse, their children will face challenges. This challenge could be poverty, early childhood substance use, sexual and physical abuse, food deprivation, and poor education outcomes.
In contrast, we have to remember that drugs such as Marijuana are used for medical reasons, such as to control severe chronic back and nerve pain. This drug won’t be sold on the street but in legal drug stores and requires the individual to have an ID to purchase the drug and this is medically approved.