Today, drug trafficking is a scourge that is affecting practically all nations and their youth. The United States is no different. According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), a survey conducted by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration) and the following startling statistics were revealed:
1. An estimated 14.8 million Americans currently use illicit drugs
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2. An estimated 6.4 million Americans use cocaine, heroine, hallucinogens
Drug use and its consequences threaten and affect the nation and its people from every socio-economic background, geographic region, and people with any level of education. Increasing use of illegal drugs among the youth is quite alarming. Kids suffer from life-long dependency problems by consuming substances like heroine and cocaine. Early use of illicit drugs leads to unhealthy behavior. It also associates itself with unwanted pregnancy and premature sexual activity which results in exposure to STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
The US suffers an annual loss of about 70 billion dollars due to drug-related illnesses, death, and drug related crimes. Illicit drug users are unaware of the fact that drug abuse indirectly or directly affects their family, their neighborhood, their business, their education and their health adversely.
Harmful drugs consumed by pregnant women affect both the mother as well as the unborn child. Maternal drug abuse contributes to birth defects and infant mortality. According to a recent research, the use of drugs by a pregnant woman may result in poor development of the child after birth and they are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.
It has been observed that teens consuming marijuana are most likely to consume cocaine in later years. The second commonly consumed drug after marijuana is a stimulant. Most 12th graders use LSD on a monthly basis. Using LSD stimulates the mind but can severely affect the nervous system. A teenager can risk his life by consuming drugs and is also more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases as well as AIDS.
With the rise in consumption of drugs, drug-related crimes are increasing steadily and thus leading to numerous drug related arrests either because of possession of drugs or thefts committed to fund the drug habit.
How Drug Trafficking Affects The United States And Its Youth
Pauline Go is a professional writer for many legal websites. She also writes other great articles like Find Criminal Laywer, Can an expunged record be accessed by law enforcement, Find Commercial Real Estate Lawyers