Many teens today enjoy having fun with friends in ways that are harmful to their bodies. “There’s a party on Saturday night. Let’s all go” are words many teens say each week. These parties are filled with illegal substances for teens like alcohol and drugs. Many people may say that the United States has the most teens who like getting drunk or high but also other countries like Spain also struggle with teens abusing illegal substances.
In Spain, the use of drugs and alcohol by teens has been on the rise. The long lasting effects of these harmful substances are ones many teens don’t think about because all they want to do is have fun. These long term negative effects include “poor brain function; poor academic or job performance; relationship difficulties.” Teens fall into these temptations due to peer pressure and influences such as older siblings and even parents. Many young people are constantly trying to fit in and be cool. Theirway of fitting in may be killing their body one sip at a time. Many teens don’t know what is right and what decisions are wrong. If you have grown up in a family where your household members use drugs or drink regularly these actions rub off on the younger generation. You look up to family as role models and typically model their actions. Another important factor for teens to drink in Spain is cultural acceptance. In Spain it is known for them to drink beer and wine as it is common at family gatherings and other social events. Along with drinking and drug use many injuries can occur “20% of these adolescents become involved in disputes while consuming alcohol, 23.3% ride in cars driven by intoxicated drivers, 5.3% operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, and 7.0% require medical attention for alcohol-related traffic accidents.”
Teen drug and alcohol use in Spain is a challenging issue that has many factors such as peer pressure, family influences, and cultural acceptance. The use of these substances leave long lasting effects and consequences on your brain and body. These problems can be fixed by getting teens the help they need and encouraging healthy decisions. One sip or pill can change your life.
Works Cited
“Alcohol and Other Drugs Risks.” Division of Student Affairs at Sonoma State University, 2024, studentaffairs.sonoma.edu/committees/alcohol-other-drugs-committee/drug-abuse-and-al cohol-prevention-program-daapp/alcohol.
Goldberg-Looney, Lisa D, et al. “Adolescent Alcohol Use in Spain: Connections with Friends, School, and Other Delinquent Behaviors.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 7, 3 Mar. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4776124/,
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00269. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.