SUBSTANCE ABUSE EMOJIS Substance abuse among youth is any use of substances by youth with a high risk of adverse outcomes (i.e., criminal involvement, injury, dropping out of school, overdose, loss of life, etc.). This can include: • Misuse of prescription drugs. • Use of illicit drugs (i.e., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, inhalants, hallucinogens, ecstasy, etc.). • Use of injection drugs that have a high risk of infection of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis 11 . According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 15% of high school students reported having used select illicit or injection drugs, 12 and 14% of students reported the misuse of prescription opioids. 13 Injection drug use places youth at direct risk for HIV and drug use in general broadly places youth at risk of overdose. 14 Students who reported using prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription are more likely to have been the victim of physical or sexual dating violence as opposed to other students; additionally, youth opioid use has been shown to be directly linked to risky sexual behavior, experience of violence, and mental health and suicide risks. 15
According to the Center for Disease Control, risk factors for substance abuse can include:
• Family history of substance use. • Favorable attitudes towards the behavior of trusted adults. • Poor monitoring from trusted adult(s). • Substance use by trusted adults (visible or otherwise). • Family rejection of sexual orientation. • Association with delinquent or substance-using peers. • Lack of school connectedness. • Low academic achievement. • Childhood sexual abuse or other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). • Mental health concerns. 16
Research has improved the understanding of factors that can help divert youth from a variety of risk-enhancing behaviors, including substance use – these are known as protective factors. Examples of protective factors for substance abuse include:
• Family engagement. • Family support. • Parental/guardian/trusted adult disapproval of substance use and abuse. • Parental/guardian monitoring. • School connectedness. 17
When conducting digital and behavioral threat assessments regarding substance abuse, it is important for SS/TA
11 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (cdc.gov) 12 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/ind2020_su.html
13 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2009-2019 (cdc.gov) 14 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2009-2019 (cdc.gov) 15 Clayton, H.B, Lowry, R, Basile, K.C., et al. Physical and Sexual Dating Violence and Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs. Pediatrics. 2017; 140 (6): e20172289.
16 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (cdc.gov) 17 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (cdc.gov)
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