Many teens in this generation struggle with substance abuse. Drug abuse is the habit of taking addictive or illegal substances. Their use can lead to serious health problems. It can also potentially ruin a life. What drives some teenagers to use drugs? Many factors contribute to the main causes of drug abuse, some of them are: easy access, social acceptance and emotional problems. Why is substance abuse increasing among adolescents? Teenagers become curious about experimenting with drugs when they hear about them and see them. A teenager may hear that a drug is fun and could easily make them feel good and act differently. A teenager might have had a close friend or family member who was using drugs, and even though he saw someone close to him behaving strangely, he became curious and decided he wanted to see through them. -even what it was. Some of the places a teen can find or obtain a substance are in the most common places. Many teenagers have easy access to drugs at home. “Teens say it's easier to get prescription drugs than beer, marijuana, etc. » (Friedman) “Teenagers who know drug addicts say 34% of them get them from their parents, at home or from the medicine cabinet. The remaining 31% said they get it from friends or classmates. (Friedman) The study shows that adolescents have very easy ways to obtain drugs. It also makes it easier for children to obtain drugs when their parents lack responsibilities. “A few decades ago, parents used to lock their liquor cabinet. Maybe there should be a lock on the medicine cabinet. According to Joseph Califano Jr. (Friedman), president of CASA, parents even have the choice to help their children become aware by teaching them how dangerous and harmful drugs are. A parent's job is... middle of paper ... company, but it also starts with them. Easy access, trying to fit in, and our own emotional issues are all things we can handle and take care of on our own. What are you doing to combat drug addiction among adolescents? Works Cited “Peer Pressure”. http://www.teens.drugabuse.gov. National Institute on Drug Abuse Society, December 3, 2013. Web. December 2, 2013. “Drug Abuse and Addiction.” http://www. helpguide.org. Internet. December 2, 2013 Friedman, Uri. “Young people’s access to medications is increasing. » http://www.csmonitor.com. The Christian Science Monitor Company, August 15, 2013. Web. December 1, 2013 “Self-medication and drug addiction”. http://alcoolrehab.com. Dara Thailand Drug and Alcohol Rehab Asia Company, 2008. Web. December 3, 2013Brys, Shannon. “Adolescent increase: social media, drug and alcohol use.” » http://www.addictionpro.com. Vendome Group, LLC, August 31, 2012. Web. December 2. 2013