Alcohol and Marijuana are an enormous problem in our society. Many teens throughout the United States use and abuse these addictive substances for many reasons. Some people use alcohol and marijuana as an “escape” from the problems they face. Others use it because they think that they will be seen as “cool” if they do. And still others use it because their parents use and abuse alcohol and marijuana so they think that it is okay to do the same. Rebellion is also a huge reason that drives usage. Marijuana and alcohol are such huge problems for minors because both substances are easily and readily available. Alcohol is the more available drug of the two. If I wanted to start using and abusing alcohol, it would be extremely easy. I could get alcohol at any of my friend’s houses, at my relative’s houses, and also at my own house. But if I wanted marijuana, I would have no idea where to go to get it.
The effects of marijuana are similar to the effects of tobacco. Marijuana contains many of the same carcinogens as cigarettes do; only the effects of marijuana are much stronger than the effects of cigarettes. The chemicals in five marijuana joints a week are equivalent to the chemicals in on pack a day of cigarettes. Marijuana can cause brain damage and cancer. Not much else is known about the long-term effects of marijuana. Much more is known about the long-term effects of alcohol. Alcohol has a mind-boggling negative effect on the human body. Consuming too much alcohol on a regular basis can bring great damage to your heart, liver, brain, sexual reproductive organs in males and females, stomach, and immune system. Your nervous system also is negatively affected. Feeling in both hand and feet can be lost. Vital organs such as your heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, and liver are severely damaged, often times to the point of death. Also, your blood does not clot as well when you have too much alcohol in your blood stream, so if you were to get cut while intoxicated, you would not stop bleeding, and depending on the severity of the cut, you could end up bleeding to death.
Many teens are unaware of the effects that alcohol and marijuana have on their bodies, or at least they claim not to know. Other teens just don’t care what happens to them. Another common excuse for using and abusing marijuana and alcohol is “Oh those effects? They can’t possibly happen to me.” So many teens are ignorant and too stubborn to see that alcohol and marijuana don’t pick and choose whom they affect. Anyone who uses these substances on a regular basis is at risk for any of the effects.
Marijuana is illegal to grow, sell, and use for any age. Alcohol is only illegal for minors. Marijuana is rightfully illegal; the short-term effects are too dangerous to be messed with, and the long0term effects that are still unknown are also dangerous. Marijuana is bad for the health of individuals and communities. Alcohol is illegal not only for minors, but also for people under the age of 21. I disagree with the age limit on alcohol. If you can go and fight for your country in the army, then you should be able to have a barbeque and a beer in your backyard with your friends. Once you turn 18 you are a legal adult, you have to learn to make decisions for yourself, and if you choose to make a poor decision by drinking before your brain is fully developed, then that is your problem. Besides, if I am one month younger than my 21st birthday, how much can change in my brain over the period of 30 days? The national drinking age should be lowered to 18.