Emergency Medicine: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Substance Abuse among Youth: A Harsh Reality

Salima Somani and Shaista Meghani

Substance abuse is a public health problem globally. The prevalence of substance abuse among youth is alarming. The problem not only harms individuals but also negatively affects families and society. Method: A review was carried out in 2013 and 2014 using various databases, including: Science direct, PubMeds and CINAHL and other health sciences journal within 10 years were used. Finally 11 research based articles and other authentic reports were included. Research articles and reports were on magnitude of substance abuse among youth, determinants of drug abuse, and harmful effects of drug abuse and framework of STAR project.
Results: Globally, the numbers of drug-related deaths among youth were 211,000 in 2011. Predisposing factors for substance abuse among adolescence are age, gender, family structure and relations, poverty, and the affordability and accessibility of drugs. This problem is common across developing and developed countries. However, developing countries are more vulnerable due to poor socioeconomic conditions.
Conclusion: There are risk factors for substance abuse and its understanding can help community at large to address substance abuse among youth. Project STAR was an example of an effective community-based effort to address substance abuse among adolescents in United States of America.