The Perceived Effects of Substance Abuse on Adolescents’ Health

Most teenagers view substance usage as a casual matter, unaware that prolonged use of these substances, even in tiny doses, can have negative effects and function more as a depressant than a stimulant. This study aimed to look into the relationship between teen drug usage and health. Methods: Teens (13 to 19 years old) attended school in Ondo State for a minimum of one year. Results: It was found that while mental health disorders, drug dependence, sex drive, teenage pregnancy, and violence were perceived as effects of substance abuse on adolescents’ mental health, stroke, irregular heartbeat, memory loss, hypoxia, and seizures were perceived as effects on adolescents’ physical health. Furthermore, there was no discernible variation in the reported impacts of substance usage on the physical and emotional well-being of teenagers according to their gender. In conclusion, the adolescent’s bodily and emotional well-being depends on his or her giving up substance abuse of any kind. Thus, we implore stakeholders in education and health to regularly arrange dramatizations and discussions among adolescents about the risks associated with substance abuse. Public education initiatives by the government and non-governmental groups need to take a cooperative, multidisciplinary, and multi-sectoral approach. Outreach initiatives and counseling should be used to increase public knowledge of drug misuse and usage.