Depression Treatment

Sadly, many teenagers have admitted that they have driven or been in cars with teenage drivers under the influence of substance abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 30 percent of high school seniors reported that they had driven after drinking heavily or after using drugs.

They also reported that they had ridden in a car with a driver who had been drinking heavily or had used drugs at least once within the past two weeks. This data was part of the Monitoring the Future study where nationally representative samples of high school seniors have been surveyed each year since 1975. This data analysis was also published in the November 2007 issue of The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.In 2006 the numbers were very similar, just under 30 percent. 13 percent of seniors had stated that they had driven after using marijuana and ten percent stated that they drove after having five or more alcoholic drinks.

These studies show that teenagers need to be educated more about the affects of drugs and alcohol abuse. While many teenagers do know the danger of drinking or driving under the influence, it is clear that they are still doing it. They need education that reaches them in a way that they listen to the message. Sadly, vehicle accidents are the main cause of death in those aged 15 to 20. Teenagers need to learn that combining an illicit drug or alcohol and a 2,000-pound automobile is a recipe for disaster.

Teenagers also need to be encouraged to speak up when they see a friend is under the influence, to not let this person drive. They need to drive the car themselves and to also refuse to get into the car with them. Getting in the way of another teenager who is trying to drive under the influence is just as important as helping themselves prevent accident and injury.