The Problem

The major problem

Every year, thousands of lives are put at risk because of drug abuse. Drug abuse is a serious issue that affects individuals and families in our community especially teenagers. Many people in our community use drugs because of peer pressure, stress, curiosity, or even as a coping mechanism. Repeated drug use can be addictive but the consequences of these actions can be life threatening and can lead to an overdose. In Maryvale, Phoenix arizona, drug use has become a major problem, with many people dying from overdoses. According to data from the Maricopa County Department of public health, the fatal overdose rate last counted in 2024 was 46.06 deaths per 100,00 people showing how serious drug use has become in our community. Source: Overdose Data | Maricopa County, AZ

The Risk Of Drugs use.

Drug addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. People may continue using drugs despite the harm they can cause because addiction changes how the brain works.

The impact of peer pressure.

Many parents and teachers may belive that saying no is an easy descion to make, but in reality it can be very difficult for teenagers. Teenagers often face pressure from friends or classmates who encourage them to try drugs in order to fit in or feel accepted by other people. This type of peer pressure can cause them to make risky decisions.

Source: National Council on Alcholism and Drug Dependence

Drug Addiction.

Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines or receive them from others who have prescriptions. The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.

What are the consequences of addiction?

Addiction can be a serious problem to our community. According to the mayo Clinic “Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine.” This shows how negatively it can affect the individual. It can affect the person's everyday life. It can start off as addiction and can possibly lead to an overdose. Addiction can negatively affect not only the individual that is consuming these drugs but also the people that are surrounded daily by these people. Seeing someone that you're surrounded by get taken over by addiction can affect someone's mental and emotional health. Even if it is not you, addiction can take over your life seeing someone's life get taken over. In a recent interview with a Maryvale community member, they shared how drug addiction and overdoses have personally affected them. They said, "Drug overdose has effected me and many others around me. Seeing someone i loved pass away because of an overdose as deeply affected my mental and emotional health. It saddens me and has made me much more aware of the dangers of drugs for myself and my loved ones."

Perscription drugs

Prescription drug abuse has become a serious problem to our community. Another term for prescription drug abuse is prescription drug misuse. This can start off as just taking someone else's pain killers to eventually being addicted. Even though knowing the consequences people still decide to misuse prescription drugs because it can be addictive. According to the Mayo Clinic, “An increasing problem, prescription drug abuse can affect all age groups, including teens. The prescription drugs most often misused include opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medicines, sedatives and stimulants.” This shows that even misusing prescription drugs can harm people of all ages.

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