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Ariana Mustakis

Mrs.Dunne

03/29/17

Drug Decline and Technology

Adolescents have been exposed to the rise of synthetic drugs and the widening of legalization
of marijuana causing them to become curious about the drugs and raise an addiction. The
question is: Are teenagers using drugs less in part because they are always on their computer and
phones simulated? Researchers claim American teenagers are growing less likely to use drugs
and alcohol due to todays technology expanding. Scientists also claim, interactive media appears
to play a similar impulse as drug experimentation. Some experts claim that the falling cigarette-
smoking rates are cutting into a key gateway to drugs. Nora Volkow, director of the National
Institute on Drug Abuse, said this period of declines over the past decade in drug use by
teeangers was notable because declining use of patterns were cutting across groups. This can be
because of all social media out there. Dr.Volkow also described interactive media as, an
alternative reinforcer to drugs, adding teens can get literally high when playing these games.
But, there is a thing with being on the phone often, it can restrain your eyes. However, while
drug use has fallen among youths ages 12 to 17, it has not declined among college students says
Dr Sion Kim Harris the co-director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research at
Boston Childrens Hospital. However, Dr.Harris claims that it is not the technology that is
helping teenagers use drugs less. He believes that it is the public-education and campaigns that
are working.Alexandra Elliott, a senior at George Washington High school in San Francisco said
using her phone for social media really feels good in a way consistent with a chemical
release She also said that phones are a tool for people at parties that do not want to do drugs. It
is better than using drugs at a party since drugs can potentially kill someone.
Yes, teens are addicted to smartphones in the true sense of the world. The cost of addiction is
worth it if smartphones are replaced with drug use and abuse. The use of smartphones by
teenagers instead of drug use and abuse is better. Drugs can damage you badly. For example
drugs can damage your kidney or liver. Even though being on your smartphone a lot not talking
to anyone around you including your friends and family it is better to be on your phone than take
drugs.