Substance Abuse Among Adolescents and It's Impact

The epidemic of substance abuse in adolescents is increasing at an alarming rate in India and this is the direct result of the changing cultural values, fierce competition in the fields of education and employment, growing economic burden on families and declining supportive bonds for adolescents in this transitional age. The impact of substance abuse among adolescents witnesses their first experimentation towards various drugs, especially those that are easily available including glues, tobacco, cannabis and alcohol. Amongst adolescents, the highest at-risk population include street children, child labourers and teens who have a family history of drug abuse and other emotional and behavioural challenges at home. Consequences of substance abuse also include quarrels with friends, family or relatives, as well as accidents and severe health disorders, with some also dropped out of school due to poor performance in the academic. About the Authors Dr. Anthony K L (Rev. Dr. Tony Kollannur CMI) is a catholic CMI priest belongs to Coimbatore Preshitha Province. He is a Student's counsellor, Youth and children life motivator and Administrator at Bharathamatha Higher Secondary School, Palakkad, Kerala. He holds MA English, MA History, MSW, MPhil and PhD (Medical and psychiatry – Mental health). Dr. Shoby Bovas is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College in Pollachi, specialised in Human Resource management. She obtained her degree in B.A English Literature in 2000 from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and her postgraduate degree in Master of Social Work in 2002 from Sree Narayana Guru College, Coimbatore. She was awarded a Ph.D. degree by the Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, in 2015.