Parents want to trust that their children will grow up to enjoy safe, healthy, and productive lives. Adolescence is often a time for experimenting with drugs, alcohol, and other substances, as it has been for generations. However, differences in drug manufacturing practices, dosage, and other factors between today’s substances and those of past generations have created a slew of challenges and complications for young people and their families. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), 46.6 percent of teens have tried illicit drugs by the time they reach their last year of high school. More pressingly, approximately 11 percent of people who die of a drug overdose are between the ages of 15 and 24. When it comes to alcohol use among teens, 61.5 percent of teens have abused alcohol by 12th grade. Nearly 17 percent of 12th graders report that they typically consume five or more drinks in a row when indulging in alcohol.
Although these statistics are concerning because of the negative physical, psychological, and emotional impacts that accompany drug and alcohol misuse among young people, they also carry long-term implications for potential dependence and criminal behavior. Youth who develop drug addiction early on may find themselves engaging in criminal activity in order to continue accessing, selling, affording, or trafficking illegal substances. It’s worth taking a look at some of the most pressing drug trends among today’s youth in Los Angeles County and some of the prevention and early intervention efforts that may be able to minimize drug and alcohol dependence that triggers criminal behavior later on. However, if you or your child is facing drug or DUI charges in Los Angeles County, it’s essential to enlist the guidance and support of a highly skilled and experienced drug crimes and juvenile defense lawyer who can advocate on your behalf and uphold your legal rights at every opportunity.
Drug Overdoses Among Teens Are Rising
Drug use among teenagers and young adults continues to be relatively common. As of 2022, “about 1 in 3 high school seniors, 1 in 5 sophomores, and 1 in 10 eighth graders reported using an illicit substance in the past year.” While these numbers indicate a drop in overall drug use among teens—some researchers have found that teen drug use is at its lowest point in decades—the number of drug overdose deaths among young people has risen considerably. According to recent estimates, an average of 22 adolescents (between the ages of 14 and 18) died in the United States each week in 2022 because of a drug overdose. The majority of these overdose deaths have been driven by fentanyl, and overdose fatalities have become the third largest cause of pediatric deaths (following firearm-related injuries and motor vehicle accidents). Public health experts are quick to point out that this alarming uptick in overdose deaths is not because more teens are misusing drugs—it’s that the composition of the drugs themselves has become deadlier because of fentanyl. Generally speaking, today’s teenagers are less likely to consume alcohol than people of previous generations, but they are more likely to use cannabis, experiment with psychedelics, or mistakenly use counterfeit versions of prescription drugs that contain lethal amounts of fentanyl.
Drug Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies
In response to (and in anticipation of) teenage drug use, much attention has been given to developing and instituting effective drug prevention and early intervention strategies that support youth in multiple ways. Today, interventions like randomly testing students for drugs in schools may seem effective, but research has revealed that such policies “can have adverse consequences such as false positives, discouraging students from participating in extracurricular activities, and implementing exclusionary and strict punishments based on test results.” Moreover, “policies that focus on the carceral rehabilitation or confinement of youth who use substances increase social inequities, while prevention measures can forestall youth health problems from occurring at all.” So, what do youth drug prevention programs actually look like? A holistic approach seems to generate the most positive and measurable results, as such efforts “acknowledge that young people use substances to serve a purpose—typically either social or emotional in nature—and if adults expect them not to use, they should help teens learn to fulfill those needs in a different way.” Working alongside youth to provide them with the information and tools they need to make informed decisions ultimately empowers them to take control of their choices, increasing the likelihood that they will act responsibly.
When It’s Too Late For Youth Drug Prevention
Effective drug and alcohol prevention activities for youth will not eradicate these risky behaviors altogether. If your child has been arrested for a drug-related offense in Los Angeles County, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and anxious about what will happen to your child and your family. California’s juvenile justice system continues to explore the benefits of restorative justice and early intervention measures that allow troubled youths to access the services and treatments they need to make better choices and avoid future criminal activity. If law enforcement has arrested your child for a drug or alcohol-related offense, consider enlisting the guidance of a highly qualified and caring Los Angeles County juvenile defense lawyer to help you navigate the days, weeks, and months ahead of you. Your attorney will examine every detail of the case and identify the most strategic path forward that keeps your child’s future as bright and promising as possible. The juvenile justice system operates differently than the adult criminal justice system, so it’s important to have a seasoned legal professional in your corner who understands the nuances of this legal process. Give your child the hope they need to learn from their mistakes, as well as the resources and support systems they can use to move forward into a safe and secure adulthood.
If you or your child is facing drug crime charges in Los Angeles County, you need reliable and effective legal representation right away. Call Wegman & Levin today at (818) 980-4000 to arrange a free consultation with a highly qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney.
