The Mind Builders

by Yuusuf Ademola Adesina Addiction is an essential concept that serves an important role in explaining why people act in ways which may ultimately cause harm to themselves or others. It is a concept that causes serious damage to the self, families, relationships, schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods. Research studies have shown that the risk of substance-use peaks in adolescence. A study reports that 13% of 12-17 years old studied reported to have used marijuana, 9.3% used an illegal substance other than marijuana, and about 32% used one of the most widely abused substances, alcohol. The numbers increased dramatically when 18-25 years old were asked, about 24% having used marijuana, 13% having used an illicit drug other than marijuana, and 75% having used alcohol. Further, for generations, public health policies and programs in the United States have attempted to prevent young people from using tobacco products. Laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors appeared in N