Changes

= Lesson 82 - The Adolescent And Hygienic Living =

= Lesson 82 - The Adolescent And Hygienic Living =

== Teenagers—An Endangered Species ==

== Teenagers—An Endangered Species ==

82.1.1 The Question—To Leave Home or Commit Suicide?

82.1.1 The Question—To Leave Home or Commit Suicide?

82.1.3 Other Drugs

82.1.3 Other Drugs

82.1.1 The Question—To Leave Home or Commit Suicide?

=== The Question—To Leave Home or Commit Suicide? ===

 

Several million teenagers will leave home during the year 1984, either because their parents constantly “bug them” to be something other than what they are or want to be; or because they disagree with what they consider their parents’ completely out-dated ideas of morality and behavior. And, for a myriad of other reasons. If the present pattern con- tinues, over 5,000 teenagers will commit suicide, either at home or away from home in some strange hotel room or other alien place.

Several million teenagers will leave home during the year 1984, either because their parents constantly “bug them” to be something other than what they are or want to be; or because they disagree with what they consider their parents’ completely out-dated ideas of morality and behavior. And, for a myriad of other reasons. If the present pattern con- tinues, over 5,000 teenagers will commit suicide, either at home or away from home in some strange hotel room or other alien place.

Experts working in this field of social awareness tell us that adolescent suicide is un- derreported by a factor of from 25 to 100% and that, for each teen who is successful in taking his own life, there are 50 to 100 unsuccessful attempts. In other words, the poten- tial exists “out there” for double 5,000 successful attempts and that 10,000 or possibly as many as one million teenagers are so emotionally torn that, at some time, they either seriously contemplate suicide or actually attempt to end their own lives.

Experts working in this field of social awareness tell us that adolescent suicide is un- derreported by a factor of from 25 to 100% and that, for each teen who is successful in taking his own life, there are 50 to 100 unsuccessful attempts. In other words, the poten- tial exists “out there” for double 5,000 successful attempts and that 10,000 or possibly as many as one million teenagers are so emotionally torn that, at some time, they either seriously contemplate suicide or actually attempt to end their own lives.

82.1.2 Teenagers and Alcoholism

=== Teenagers and Alcoholism ===

 

The problem of teenage alcoholism is widespread and serious, according to the Na- tional Institute of Alcohol abuse and Alcoholism, as the following statistics attest:

The problem of teenage alcoholism is widespread and serious, according to the Na- tional Institute of Alcohol abuse and Alcoholism, as the following statistics attest:

Here, in the general area of Tucson, there are an estimated 38,000 residents with se- rious drinking problems.

Here, in the general area of Tucson, there are an estimated 38,000 residents with se- rious drinking problems.

82.1.2.1 Alcohol Addiction

==== Alcohol Addiction ====

 

Alcohol addiction can create serious problems in the future for young people. Cana- dian findings indicate that chronic alcoholics who drink for ten years or more show sig- nificant signs of cerebral atrophy, according to Dr. Peter L. Carlen, investigator at the University of Toronto in Canada. X-ray scans of drinkers show loss of cerebral tissue and large cavities in the brain.

Alcohol addiction can create serious problems in the future for young people. Cana- dian findings indicate that chronic alcoholics who drink for ten years or more show sig- nificant signs of cerebral atrophy, according to Dr. Peter L. Carlen, investigator at the University of Toronto in Canada. X-ray scans of drinkers show loss of cerebral tissue and large cavities in the brain.

When Dr. Elizabeth was counseling at a reform school for juvenile criminals some years ago, she said that all flavorings, such as vanilla and almond, had to be kept under lock and key because the alcoholic inmates would drink a bottle at a sitting! Many be- came terribly sick after such indulgence but this did not prevent their trying again the next time!

When Dr. Elizabeth was counseling at a reform school for juvenile criminals some years ago, she said that all flavorings, such as vanilla and almond, had to be kept under lock and key because the alcoholic inmates would drink a bottle at a sitting! Many be- came terribly sick after such indulgence but this did not prevent their trying again the next time!

82.1.3 Other Drugs

=== Other Drugs ===

 

We have spent considerable time presenting statistics on alcohol abuse because this is the single most widely-used drug among teenagers and alcoholism will, no doubt, be- come a matter of concern at times to practicing Hygienists.

We have spent considerable time presenting statistics on alcohol abuse because this is the single most widely-used drug among teenagers and alcoholism will, no doubt, be- come a matter of concern at times to practicing Hygienists.

# Femaleusersofthedrugwhosmokedregularlyduringpregnancymightadverselyaffect  the development of the fetus by decreased oxygen flow resulting from smoking.

# Femaleusersofthedrugwhosmokedregularlyduringpregnancymightadverselyaffect  the development of the fetus by decreased oxygen flow resulting from smoking.

# Driversofmotorvehicles,whenundertheinfluenceofmarijuana,hadslowerthannor-  mal reactions and a reduced ability to concentrate.

# Driversofmotorvehicles,whenundertheinfluenceofmarijuana,hadslowerthannor-  mal reactions and a reduced ability to concentrate.

# Marijuanacouldinterferewiththefundamentalchemistryofthelivingcellsofthehu-  man body. Note: Researchers have often disagreed on the results of marijuana studies, and sometimes have come to conflicting conclusions. Not all of the side effects that are pos-

# Marijuana could interfere with the fundamental chemistry of the living cells of the human body.

 

Note: Researchers have often disagreed on the results of marijuana studies, and sometimes have come to conflicting conclusions. Not all of the side effects that are possible from a drug will necessarily occur in every individual—however, we still harm our bodies by abusing any substance, and certainly by smoking.

sible from a drug will necessarily occur in every individual—however, we still harm our bodies by abusing any substance, and certainly by smoking.

 

Jet Magazine for March 1981 states that in the two years from 1979 to 1981 cocaine use bad doubled. This is a truly remarkable statistic. Since that time, it has become the, “in” drug and its use among teenagers who can afford it is on the rise.

Jet Magazine for March 1981 states that in the two years from 1979 to 1981 cocaine use bad doubled. This is a truly remarkable statistic. Since that time, it has become the, “in” drug and its use among teenagers who can afford it is on the rise.

The drug is believed to produce psychological dependence but not physical depen- dence. However, it can have certain alarming after-effects, such as the following: it can produce paralysis of the sensory nerve endings and nerve trunks, resulting in anesthesia (inability to feel pain); it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in con- striction of the blood vessels and dilatation of the pupils; it also stimulates the central nervous system, resulting in exhilaration and possibly in convulsions, followed by men- tal and physical depression, especially of respiration.

The drug is believed to produce psychological dependence but not physical depen- dence. However, it can have certain alarming after-effects, such as the following: it can produce paralysis of the sensory nerve endings and nerve trunks, resulting in anesthesia (inability to feel pain); it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in con- striction of the blood vessels and dilatation of the pupils; it also stimulates the central nervous system, resulting in exhilaration and possibly in convulsions, followed by men- tal and physical depression, especially of respiration.

82.1.3.2 Heroin and Nicotine

==== Heroin and Nicotine ====

 

Other drugs, such as heroin and nicotine, are not quite as common when it comes to working with teenagers. The Indiana Department of Health found (June, 1982) that some 14% of the teens studied smoked cigarettes. Users of heroin are more rare. In fact, among most teens, heroin is known as a “bad trip,” while drugs such as cocaine and mar- ijuana are regarded as “fun” things.

Other drugs, such as heroin and nicotine, are not quite as common when it comes to working with teenagers. The Indiana Department of Health found (June, 1982) that some 14% of the teens studied smoked cigarettes. Users of heroin are more rare. In fact, among most teens, heroin is known as a “bad trip,” while drugs such as cocaine and mar- ijuana are regarded as “fun” things.