Year of Examination:2024

Subject: English A

Candidate Number:0100141285

Name of Candidate: Ariana Francis

Title of Project: The Causes of Drug Abuse in Teenagers.

Name of Teacher: Ms Dana James

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Plan of Investigation……………………………………………………………………3

Stimulus 1: Blog: ……………………………………………………………………....4

Stimulus 2: Cartoon Strip………………………………………………………………7

Stimulus 3: Video Clip…………………………………………………………………8

Reflection ……………………………………………………………………………. ..9

Written Report …………………………………………………………………………11

Plan for Oral Presentation………………………………………………………………12

Copy of Scoring Rubic for Participation Measure……………………………………...13

Appendix ………………………………………………………………………………..14

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 Plan of Investigation

Teenagers may use drugs for the fun of it while others may use it to cope with problems
which they are facing. Drugs are medicines or other substances which have physiological effects
when ingested or otherwise introduced to the body. Marijuana, alcohol and prescription
medications are the drugs that are popularly abused by teenagers. Abuse is making excessive and
habitual use of something. The topic I will be focusing on is ‘The Causes of Drug Abuse in
Teenagers’.

I chose this topic for several reasons. Drug abuse is a very common illness among persons
my age and I saw this as the perfect opportunity to learn about what influences this addiction in
teenagers. I also thought that being educated about the causes may help me gain a deeper insight
into the issue which could aid me in guarding against the dangers of drug abuse and assist or
influence my peers to do the same.

By engaging in the activities of the English A school-based assessment, I hope improve my

skills as a student of English. I will attempt to define new words that I encounter to fully grasp
the information presented in the various stimulus materials. While reviewing these materials, I also
hope to refine my research skills and competence in grammar.

In order to complete this SBA, I plan to collect a blog, a cartoon strip and a video clip. To
understand these pieces, I will carefully analyze each material to ensure that it is providing me
with information related to my topic and also research any new terms or phrases that I may come
across.

3
 Stimulus 1- Online Blog

WHY DO TEENS USE DRUGS?: 8 REASONS PARENTS SHOULD CONSIDER

Adolescence can be a time of making irrational, impulsive decisions. It can be a time of living in
the now, without consideration for the consequences that may follow. As a result, it is a time in
which many teens try drugs and alcohol for the first-time. The average age of substance use
initiation is between 13 and 14 years old, in seventh and eighth grade, before one even enters
high school.

This is a harrowing reality to face. It is difficult to believe that our youth are developing
dangerous, addictive habits at such an early age, especially right under our nose. We want to
believe it is just a phase. We want to blame experimentation, or the other kids at school for our
children’s early drug use. The last thing we want to uncover is that our children are in danger, or
that this substance use is something our sons and daughters have brought upon themselves.

Sometimes, though, it is. As parents and educators, it is crucial that we uncover the root of drug
use in teens and young adults as soon as it starts to grow. In order to prevent deep-seated drug
habits later on in our children’s lives, we have to take action now. We have to ask questions. We
have to understand the problem at hand. We have to have some insight into if, and how badly,
this problem could progress.

4
 If you have just discovered your teen may
have a drug problem, the first thing you should do is step back and analyze the situation. Have
you found contraband in his or her room? Have you learned that your teen is coming home past
curfew, skipping school, or ignoring previous priorities? While these are all apparent signs of
drug addiction, they do not reveal the bigger picture of your teen’s drug problem. You must now
ask questions. In order to find a solution to your teen’s drug use, you must grasp the feelings,
pressures, and dynamics that lay beneath it.

There are many reasons that teens and young adults get involved with drugs, and unfortunately,
there are many instances in which the root of substance use goes much deeper than
“experimentation.” Consider the following reasons that adolescents and young adults use drugs.

• In attempt to fit in: Making friends and establishing oneself at school can be difficult for
adolescents. The teenage years often come with many insecurities, low self-esteem, and fear of
not being accepted. In order to fit in, to feel “cool,” or join an older, more seductive social circle,
many teens will start buying and using drugs.

• To feel good: Many adolescents abuse drugs or alcohol to get high. They are looking for a thrill,
an intensified feeling that they cannot obtain through simple pleasures like food or exercise. This
is where the addiction cycle starts to kick in. Drugs interact with the way our brain produces, and
the way our body experiences, pleasure. When drugs are used, the brain creates up to ten times
the normal amount of dopamine and euphoria a person should experience. It is unnatural
chemistry that takes place, but our brain remembers it. It craves it.

• To feel better: There is the desire to feel good and there is the need to feel better. These are two
very distinct entities when evaluating teen drug use. Teens looking to “feel better” are in truth,
self-medicating. They are battling something deeper than peer pressure or a failed homework
assignment. Some adolescents are suffering from deep-seated conditions like depression, social
anxiety, and stress-related disorders. They use drugs to forget or replace their negative feelings
with substance-induced pleasure.

5
• Experimentation: The brain does not finish developing until the age of 25. The last part of the
brain to develop is the one that controls rational decision making, self-control, and judgment,
making adolescents more prone to trying risky and daring activities. Drugs and alcohol are often
easy, accessible outlets for experimentation that can severely impact the developing teenage
brain.

• Competition: The need to perform, to impress, and to make proud is a great pressure for
adolescents and young adults. Whether in school or on the field, young people consistently want
to prove they are the best to their peers and parents. The competition to be outstanding, however,
can be intense. In academics, for example, teens and young adults often rely on the misuse of
prescription stimulants as “smart drugs” or study aids to improve academic performance.

• Attention: Teens often experience a lack of purpose or talent. They feel like they are not good
enough to shine or are lacking something to make them special. These feelings may drive them
toward substance abuse. Some youth do not know how to become the best, so they choose to
become the worst in hopes of getting their parents’ and teachers’ undivided attention.

• Lack of education: Some adolescents and young adults grow up thinking drug and alcohol use
is normal. Their favorite musicians are singing about it, the movies are glamorizing it, the TV
ads are selling it. Whether you are sad, can’t sleep, or have a headache, there is a drug for you.
Our culture has adopted the “pill cures all” mentality, leading our youth to feel the same about
drugs. Many do not understand the consequences of drug use. Many teens do not know how it
can harm their minds, bodies, and relationships. They need proper education. They need
someone to tell them the truth about drugs and alcohol.

• Addiction: Some teens and young adults are stuck amongst the cycle. At such a young age, they
are more vulnerable to developing dependence and addiction. They get in over their heads at an
early age and do not know how to get out. They need you to extend a hand. They need us.

[Link]

6
 Stimulus 2- Cartoon strip

[Link]

7
 Stimulus 3- Video clip

[Link]

8
 Reflection

Entry 1

After reading the article ‘Why do teenagers use drugs?’ I was able to learn that drugs are
capable of altering the way our brain produces and the way our body experiences pleasure. The
article also revealed that using drugs at a young age endangers your developing brain. This piece
allowed me to make connections to anorexia nervosa because both diseases can be caused by low
self-esteem, stressful life experiences, cultural pressures and more.

The cartoon strip portrays people using drugs as a last resort to deal with their uneasy
emotions. It aided me in making a shocking discovery about how you can blindly encourage people
to pick up your habit of abusing drugs because they believe it is able to make them feel good
through difficult times.

After viewing the video clip I became more aware of how society plays a big role in drug abuse
by adolescents. For example, if a child watches a music video where people are taking part in
drinking and doing drugs it will influence that child to try it because it is portrayed as exciting to
the viewers. I also realized that school plays a part in this issue. Students may be stressed and are
failing their classes so they take drugs as stimulants to help with studying and doing class
assignments.

Entry 2

The Turnbridge blog is the author of this piece. Each paragraph was well organized and
contained topic sentences and most importantly relevant supporting details. The writer’s purpose
was to inform the reader of the causes of drug abuse in teens and he/she did really well since the
blog contained mostly facts rather than opinions which assisted in understanding the points. The
blog was both supportive and objective. It contained simple, compound and complex sentences
which suggest that it is a formal piece.

The cartoon strip was created by a user handle called hersheybar08 and was used to depict
how drug abuse is influenced by stress. It shows how individuals may use drugs as a way to
relieve stress and ease their minds. It contained different characters in different settings and even
dialogues. Different font sizes were used to emphasize the characters’ emotions. The
involvement of dialogue made the cartoon strip easy to understand.

The video was a discussion among individuals about factors that contribute to the abuse of
drugs by teenagers. This video was not only created for informing viewers of the causes of drug

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abuse in teens and solutions but also for creating awareness of this issue. To make the video
more user friendly, PowerPoint and background instrumentals were included. The dialogue
between each person was brief but contained relevant information.

Entry 3

Engaging in the activities of the English A school-based assessment has helped me to

become more aware of the various factors that can lead to drug abuse in teenagers. This research
has caused be to be more concerned about the issue of drug abuse among teens and its negative
impact. I find myself thinking more about what I could possibly do to help to solve this problem.

I am also more concerned about my friends and the avenues that they might explore in search
of relief from stress which is so common among teenagers check up on my friends more frequently
as a way of ensuring that they will not consider drugs as an escape from stress. I think overall, I
am less judgmental or critical of teenagers who have made the mistake of experimenting with
drugs or abusing drugs. I am more empathetic.

Lastly, this SBA has really helped me to expand my vocabulary and also even helped me to
develop better research skills for which I am thankful.

10
 Written Report

The group session was held over a five-day period. The purpose of the session was to select
and analyze three stimulus materials that address the topic ‘Drug Abuse’. An article, a poem and
a cartoon strip were selected from online sources.
To select the three stimulus materials, the group examined each item and selected the three
that the group members thought provided the most relevant information on the topic and were the
most interesting. The article highlighted the effects of drug addiction on family members while
the poem presented various drugs commonly abused and the cartoon strip illustrated how
individuals may use drugs as a way to relieve stress and relax their minds.
To analyze the stimulus materials the group members engaged in a number of activities.
Each member had to read each stimulus material then the group would engage in a grand discussion
on the main points and questions jotted down during the reading stage. The group recorded new
information gleaned on the topic from the respective pieces after the discussion.
From the poem, we were able to learn about the most commonly abused drugs which are
heroin and marijuana. The substances used to create these drugs can affect the way our brain works.
The article taught us about the different effects drug abuse has on the abuser’s family. These effects
include family members self-blaming and also begrudging the addict because of their involvement
with drugs. The cartoon strip included a series of pictures which illustrates how stress can influence
drug abuse which provides us with a clear understanding of how these drugs affect people. In the
final analysis, the abuse of marijuana and heroin can be influenced by stress from work and home
and can have negative effects on both the abusers and their family members.

11
 Plan for Oral Presentation

My oral presentation will take the form of a poem entitled ‘The Call of Drugs’. The theme of the
presentation is focused on the misguided notion among teenagers that abusing drugs is a solution
to their problems. I chose poetry because I believe in the power of words to evoke an emotional
connection which helps to deepen meaning and understanding. My poem includes imagery,
personification, rhyme, similes and metaphors. It consists of nine stanzas each of which will
provide a snapshot scenario of how the every-day problems in the lives of teenagers sets the stage
for the deceptive enticement of drug abuse in the hope of relief or a solution. The last two stanzas
of the poem is an inspirational voice of reason that appeals to teenagers to open their eyes and ears
to the subtle or overt deception of drug abuse or experimentation with drugs- an encouragement to
stay “drug free”. The source which assisted me in developing this piece was an article entitled
‘Why do Teenagers Use Drugs?’.

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 Copy of Participation Measure

PARTICIPATION MEASURE Disagree Uncertain Agree

1. I know what I am expected to do to work well as a team. -1 0 +1
2. It is easy to focus on what is taking place in my group. -1 0 +1
3. In the group, I feel self-confidence, self-esteem and self- -1 0 +1
efficacy.
4. I know how to manage how I behave in the group. -1 0 +1
5. I always manage my tasks on time and thoroughly. -1 0 +1

Name of Student: Ariana Francis Final Score: 5

Date: November 23, 2023

Name of Teacher: Ms D. James

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Appendix

Stimulus 1: Poem

Drugs like Marijuana, heroin and cocaine

Can destroy your brain

Because of the substances they contain

So refrain and abstain

It cause me so much pain

To see people who have been trained

By the country to maintain, retain and sustain

Our economy are dealing in cocaine

Can someone please explain?

This is not what Ghana bargained for

It grieves me more to see our leaders and

Businessmen who conspire

To Import drugs that have expired

At the detriment of other peoples life

For their own selfish desires

Who do they intend to inspire

To me, this is dire

We have to relocate and locate to a better location

We have to generate and regenerate our generation

We have dissociate and associate ourselves to a good association

Nobody has been able to trace

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The source of this menace

Drug abuse is something we must not embrace

It is covering our space at a fast pace

And it is a disgrace

People take drugs for pleasure

Others take them to overcome the pressure

But for most young ones it is through curiosity and peer-pressure

All I want to tell you is that

KEEP YOUR COMPOSURE, LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE

Don’t become a problem for the community

Don’t become a burden on society

Keep your integrity and preserve your dignity

Don’t let the illicit use of drugs be your habit

Else you will become a drug addict

Please! Please! ! Please! ! ! QUIT

[Link]/poem/drug-abuse-2/

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 Stimulus 2: Article

The effects of drug addiction on family members can be significant and profound. It is
common for family members to begin questioning where they went wrong and what they
could have done to prevent their loved one from turning to drugs or alcohol. They may
blame themselves for their loved one’s addiction, or they may begin to resent their loved
one for putting the family through this situation. It is likely that someone with a substance
use disorder doesn’t truly understand how addiction affects family and friends. While
addiction is a disease that can change how a person thinks, behaves, or feels, they often say
or do things that hurt family and friends. In some cases, individuals with an addiction lie to
their family and friends, attempting to hide their substance use. They may steal money or
drugs to feed their habit. In some cases, they may even neglect their obligations to their
family, including caring for their children or contributing financially. Sadly, the drug
abuse effects on family can be overwhelming, and even distressing. Addiction doesn’t just
impact the person using drugs or alcohol. Every member of the family, from spouses, to
parents, to children and siblings, are impacted in some way.

[Link]
family-and-friends

16
 Stimulus 3: Cartoon strip

[Link]

17
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