Social influences play a key role in making drug use attractive to
children.
The first temptations to use drugs may come in social situations in the
form of pressures to "act grown up" and "have a good time" by smoking
cigarettes or using alcohol or marijuana.
A 1983 _Weekly Reader_ survey found that television and movies had the
greatest influence on fourth graders in making drugs and alcohol seem
attractive; other children had the second greatest influence. From the
fifth grade on, peers played an increasingly important role, while
television and movies consistently had the second greatest influence.
The survey offers insights into _why_ students take drugs. For all
children, the most important reason for taking marijuana is to "fit in
with others." "To feel older" is the second main reason for children in
grades four and five, and "to have a good time" for those in grades six
to twelve. This finding reinforces the need for prevention programs
beginning in the early grades--programs that focus on teaching children
to resist peer pressure and on making worthwhile and enjoyable
drug-free activities available to them.
Students who turn to more potent drugs usually do so after first using
cigarettes and alcohol, and then marijuana. Initial attempts may not
produce a "high"; however, students who continue to use drugs learn
that drugs can alter their thoughts and feelings. _The greater a
student's involvement with marijuana, the more likely it is the
student will begin to use other drugs in conjunction with marijuana._
Drug use frequently progresses in stages--from occasional use, to
regular use, to multiple drug use, and ultimately to total dependency.
With each successive stage, drug use intensifies, becomes more varied,
and results in increasingly debilitating effects.
But this progression is not inevitable. Drug use can be stopped at any
stage. However, the more involved children are with drugs, the more
difficult it is for them to stop. _The best way to fight drug use
is to begin prevention efforts before children start using drugs._
Prevention efforts that focus on young children are the most effective
means to fight drug use.