Investigating Drugs
This page has links to resources on drugs and teenagers in general and smoking and marijuana in particular (scroll down). The impact of drugs on teens is very well documented and you can find lots of books on this topic in the Non-fiction section at NF 962.29 - 962.296.
The impact of drugs is not merely individual; it includes everyone from grower to distributers, governments, police and health care professionals who deal with the effects (health or economic) of drugs on individuals. This issue of New Internationalist [http://digital.newint.com.au/issues/5] will take your mind in new directions (re. the international implications of legalising drugs). Access it through your library or ask Ms Carmyn for the school's copy. There's an awesome set of statistics in the middle pages.
If you are researching the topic "drugs" for your IRP you will need to narrrow it down to one particular drug. Let Ms Carmyn know if you need her to put up a new topic on this page. There are fantastic Issues in Society Books on any of these topics - look for it at NF 362.292. This will give you a great overview of the issues so you can narrow down your question. Once you've had a look there, The National Drug Strategy Report (2012) has some excellent questions you might choose for your project.
Social Determinants in Drug Use [https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/ndarc/resources/TR.228.pdf] identifies forms of scoial disavantage and individual socio-emotional states which correlate with drug use
The impact of drugs is not merely individual; it includes everyone from grower to distributers, governments, police and health care professionals who deal with the effects (health or economic) of drugs on individuals. This issue of New Internationalist [http://digital.newint.com.au/issues/5] will take your mind in new directions (re. the international implications of legalising drugs). Access it through your library or ask Ms Carmyn for the school's copy. There's an awesome set of statistics in the middle pages.
If you are researching the topic "drugs" for your IRP you will need to narrrow it down to one particular drug. Let Ms Carmyn know if you need her to put up a new topic on this page. There are fantastic Issues in Society Books on any of these topics - look for it at NF 362.292. This will give you a great overview of the issues so you can narrow down your question. Once you've had a look there, The National Drug Strategy Report (2012) has some excellent questions you might choose for your project.
Social Determinants in Drug Use [https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/ndarc/resources/TR.228.pdf] identifies forms of scoial disavantage and individual socio-emotional states which correlate with drug use
Tobacco Smoking
We have loads of books on smoking at NF 962.29, so look there first. You can also find general information at Kids' Health [http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/tobacco/smoking.html] and the National Insitute on Drug Abuse [http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes]. Statistics about smoking can be found at the Cancer Council of Australia [http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/79096/reduce-risks/smoking-reduce-risks/tobacco-statistics/how-many-people-smoke-in-nsw/], Quit.org [http://www.quit.org.au/downloads/Background%20Briefs/01Rates.pdf] and the Tobacco in Australia report [http://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-1-prevalence/1-6-prevalence-of-smoking-secondary-students].
E-cigarettes (which are illegal at the moment in Australia) are an especial concern at the moment, as many experts think their glamorous image will lead to teens beginning to smoke ordinary cigarettes. In fact, e-cigarettes are also dangerous. Read about this at Kidshealth [http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/tobacco/e-cigarettes.html], the Sydney Morning Herald [http://www.smh.com.au/world/ecigarette-a-likely-gateway-to-smoking-report-finds-20140307-hvgko.html] and the Cancer Council of Australia [http://www.cancer.org.au/news/blog/prevention/extreme-caution-needed-on-electronic-cigarettes.html.
2015 Update: http://www.ozvapour.com/are-electronic-cigarettes-legal-in-australia/
The US tobacco industry is one of the most powerful lobbyists in the world with alot of influence on government policies. because Australia's tobacco is largely imported and wwe have very strong anti-smoking laws, they have less political influence in Australia. International statistics about the tobacco industry can be found on the New Internationalist website [http://newint.org/features/2004/07/01/facts/]
What can be done to stop teens smoking?
The Australian Institute of Family Studies [http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm1/fm36rw2.html] has written an entire report on family influences on teen age smoking while Tobacco in Australia [http://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/5-8-the-smoking-behaviour-of-peers-and-peer-attitu] investigates the role of peers, and the Lowitja Institute [https://www.lowitja.org.au/sites/default/files/docs/Starting%20to%20Smoke-FINALweb.pdf] exames both of these theories in relation to Aboriginal teens.
The Mayo Institute [http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-smoking/art-20047069] suggests ways to stop kids taking up smoking, or you could look at the Smokefree Teens page [http://teen.smokefree.gov/].
The smoking Behaviour of peers, peer attitudes and norms [2014] [http://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-5-uptake/5-8-the-smoking-behaviour-of-peers-and-peer-attitu]
E-cigarettes (which are illegal at the moment in Australia) are an especial concern at the moment, as many experts think their glamorous image will lead to teens beginning to smoke ordinary cigarettes. In fact, e-cigarettes are also dangerous. Read about this at Kidshealth [http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/tobacco/e-cigarettes.html], the Sydney Morning Herald [http://www.smh.com.au/world/ecigarette-a-likely-gateway-to-smoking-report-finds-20140307-hvgko.html] and the Cancer Council of Australia [http://www.cancer.org.au/news/blog/prevention/extreme-caution-needed-on-electronic-cigarettes.html.
2015 Update: http://www.ozvapour.com/are-electronic-cigarettes-legal-in-australia/
The US tobacco industry is one of the most powerful lobbyists in the world with alot of influence on government policies. because Australia's tobacco is largely imported and wwe have very strong anti-smoking laws, they have less political influence in Australia. International statistics about the tobacco industry can be found on the New Internationalist website [http://newint.org/features/2004/07/01/facts/]
What can be done to stop teens smoking?
The Australian Institute of Family Studies [http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm1/fm36rw2.html] has written an entire report on family influences on teen age smoking while Tobacco in Australia [http://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/5-8-the-smoking-behaviour-of-peers-and-peer-attitu] investigates the role of peers, and the Lowitja Institute [https://www.lowitja.org.au/sites/default/files/docs/Starting%20to%20Smoke-FINALweb.pdf] exames both of these theories in relation to Aboriginal teens.
The Mayo Institute [http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-smoking/art-20047069] suggests ways to stop kids taking up smoking, or you could look at the Smokefree Teens page [http://teen.smokefree.gov/].
The smoking Behaviour of peers, peer attitudes and norms [2014] [http://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-5-uptake/5-8-the-smoking-behaviour-of-peers-and-peer-attitu]
Legalising Marijuana?
Before you begin your research, get to know the basic facts about Marijuana at National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens website [http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/marijuana].
Australia is currently deciding whether we should make marijuana legal for medical use. This has already happened in some states of the USA. Debate.com [http://www.debate.org/medical-marijuana/] has a wide range of viewpoints about this issue (click on the questions to the right of the info). To gain a better understanding of the issues involved, watch SBSInsight [http://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/tvepisode/marijuana] and Living with the enemy: Marijuana [http://www.sbs.com.au/programs/living-with-the-enemy/article/2014/08/20/episode-5-marijuana; ask Ms Carmyn for a copy], and read ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-14/medical-marijuana-trials-raise-debate-over-who-should-supply/5813572] and in parliamentary debates [http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-09-01.156.1].
Marijuana use seems to be a particular problem for teens, with a high correlation of marijuana-using teens and mental health problems. SBS News [http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/09/09/teen-cannabis-use-linked-depression-suicide-report] has an article outlining the issues. Many studies have found a link between Cannabis use and schizophrenia - so scientists believe that cannabis use may "unlock" genes for schizophrenia. However, a direct link has yet to be proven. You can read about this at the National Cannabis Prevention Centre [https://ncpic.org.au/ncpic/publications/factsheets/article/cannabis-and-mental-health] or in the scholarly report commisioned by the National Drug Strategy [http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/Publishing.nsf/content/C22A31B6C742DFE5CA25767E00122541/$File/m684.pdf].
Australia is currently deciding whether we should make marijuana legal for medical use. This has already happened in some states of the USA. Debate.com [http://www.debate.org/medical-marijuana/] has a wide range of viewpoints about this issue (click on the questions to the right of the info). To gain a better understanding of the issues involved, watch SBSInsight [http://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/tvepisode/marijuana] and Living with the enemy: Marijuana [http://www.sbs.com.au/programs/living-with-the-enemy/article/2014/08/20/episode-5-marijuana; ask Ms Carmyn for a copy], and read ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-14/medical-marijuana-trials-raise-debate-over-who-should-supply/5813572] and in parliamentary debates [http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-09-01.156.1].
Marijuana use seems to be a particular problem for teens, with a high correlation of marijuana-using teens and mental health problems. SBS News [http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/09/09/teen-cannabis-use-linked-depression-suicide-report] has an article outlining the issues. Many studies have found a link between Cannabis use and schizophrenia - so scientists believe that cannabis use may "unlock" genes for schizophrenia. However, a direct link has yet to be proven. You can read about this at the National Cannabis Prevention Centre [https://ncpic.org.au/ncpic/publications/factsheets/article/cannabis-and-mental-health] or in the scholarly report commisioned by the National Drug Strategy [http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/Publishing.nsf/content/C22A31B6C742DFE5CA25767E00122541/$File/m684.pdf].
Alcohol
Risktaking by Young People [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Chapter5002008] ABS has some statistics about risky behaviours, including drinking
Understanding current trends in alcohol consumption [http://www.smh.com.au/cqstatic/gm9lbv/Livingston%20-%20Understanding-recent-trends-in-Australian-alcohol-consumpti....pdf] has some interesting statistics, including this interesting fact: "By far the largest shift has occurred among teenagers, with abstention among 14-17 year olds increasing from 28 per cent in 2001 to 57.3 per cent in 2013." However, you'll have to search through alot of data for other age groups.
The Social Context of Alcohol Abuse in Australia [http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/6412/5548/2957/EN400.pdf] identifies a wide range of issues arounjd alcolo consumption. chapter 11 looks at Youth. (2009)
A Literature Review of the Factors which influence alcohol consumption [http://www2.curtin.edu.au/research/cbrcc/local/docs/031009.pdf] (2004) Old but has a good structure you may want ot use - just check the current stats.
Adolescent risk behaviours and religion [http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1056&context=spp_papers] (US) suggests religion lowers risktakign behaviour, including drugs nad alcohol consumptiopn.
Parents have a critical role in teen drinking [https://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news93622.html] Fantastic for significance!
cross cultural perspectives :
UN publication alcohol Gender and Drinking Problems (2005) [http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/alcohol_gender_drinking_problems.pdf] has stideios abotu drinking issues in different countries
Curcio, A. L., Knott, V. E. and Mak, A. S. (2015), Why Do Young People Engage in Delinquency and Problem Drinking? Views From Adolescents and Stakeholders. Australian Psychologist, 50: 350–361. doi: 10.1111/ap.12118 Find this item in the UC Research Repository: http://www.canberra.edu.au/researchrepository/items/01c0f234-c988-4377-8c50-48f59e9e2dad/1/