1

Adelaide Douds

Mrs. Hill

AIR H

10 May 2023

Illicit Drug use is Becoming More Prevalent in Gen Z.

In this generation, the use of drugs and/or substance abuse affects their future, and how

successful they are in life. Teens in this generation struggle with staying away from drugs, and

they are becoming more common every year. In a recent “Focus” study, they state “Nearly

two-thirds (61%) of American young people have tried cigarettes by 12th grade, and almost a

third (30%) of 12th graders are current smokers. Even as early as 8th grade, nearly four in every

ten students (37%) have tried cigarettes, and one in eight (12%) already has become a current

smoker.” (Johnston, et al). Their findings show that the majority of highschool seniors have tried

some form of cigarettes. And, almost half of eighth graders have tried cigarettes. This proves that

smoking is becoming extremely common in Gen Z. However, while cigarettes aren’t considered

illegal drugs, smoking can lead to the use of illicit drugs. In Kandel’s book titled “Stages in

adolescent involvement in drug use”, she states that usually, substance abuse starts with legal

drugs, then moves onto illegal drugs. (Kandel, 913). She is stating that there are phases in drug

use, and it starts with legal drugs such as cigarettes (tobacco) or vapes (nicotine). Teens move

onto the more harmful drugs after trying legal ones. This poses a big problem for our generation,

as drugs severely impact a highschooler/college student’s future. In a study titled “Drug use,

drinking, and smoking”, it states that college bound seniors have lower rates of illicit drug use
 2

than non college bound seniors. (Johnston, et al, 5). They are proving the point of how it affects

your future. Usually, highschool students who are trying to have a successful life and future go to

college. The use of illicit drugs affects your ability to perform well in highschool and college. In

conclusion, this generation has problems with drug use, and it directly affects how you live your

life and your future.

L v’/

Works Cited

Johnston, Lloyd D., Patrick M. O’Malley, and Jerald G. Bachman. "Monitoring the future:

National results on adolescent drug use: Overview of key findings." Focus 1.2 (2003):

213-234.

Kandel, Denise. "Stages in adolescent involvement in drug use." Science 190.4217 (1975):

912-914.

Johnston, Lloyd, Patrick M. O'Malley, and Jerald G. Bachman. Drug use, drinking, and smoking:

National survey results from high school, college, and young adults populations,

1975-1988. National Institute on Drug Abuse, US Department of Health and Human

Services, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health

Administration, 1989.
3