-
Cough medicine
During this time, opioid derivatives like heroin were commonly used in cough medicines and other remedies for respiratory conditions. Their ability to suppress coughing effectively relieved patients with various illnesses, including tuberculosis and pneumonia. At the time, physicians were less aware of the potential risks and side effects of opioids, and they were more liberal in prescribing these drugs for various medical conditions, including coughs. -
Prohibition begins
Underage drinking during the Prohibition era was not uncommon. Since alcohol became more restricted and sought after, its allure increased among young people. -
Speakeasys
Teenagers were known to frequent speakeasies and often used fake identification or bribed officials to obtain alcohol. Enforcement of the prohibition laws was challenging, and corruption among law enforcement officers was common. -
Period: to
Amphetamine epidemic
During World War II, amphetamines were extensively used by various armed forces to enhance soldiers' performance. In the post-war era, amphetamines were increasingly prescribed to children for various medical conditions, including ADHD and obesity, as doctors believed that amphetamines could help manage behavioral issues and promote weight loss. In some places, amphetamines were even available without a prescription, which made them even more accessible to children. -
Successful appeal of prohibition
The Prohibition era was characterized by a widespread disregard for the law, and many Americans saw the ban on alcohol as overly restrictive and ineffective. The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment, officially ending the Prohibition era and restoring the legal production and sale of alcohol. -
Marijuana Tax Act
Media attention on youthful marijuana use led to the passage of the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act. However, there was little evidence to suggest that marijuana use was prevalent among young people during this period. -
Heroin use
During the 1960s, heroin use in the United States began to rise significantly, especially among young people in urban areas. The 1960s set the stage for future drug use patterns and cultural attitudes toward drug use, especially among young people. -
Federal "War on Drugs"
Drug use continued to increase, and drugs became almost as popular as alcohol among young people. Despite the federal "war on drugs," drug use became somewhat normalized during this time. -
Just Say No
The 1980s brought an increased focus on the dangers of drug use with the launch of the "Just Say No" campaign in the United States. Efforts were made to educate teenagers about the risks of drugs and to discourage experimentation. -
Cocaine epidemic
The 1980s saw a rise in cocaine use, which was associated with the "cocaine epidemic" in the United States. The emergence of cocaine in urban areas disproportionately affected marginalized communities, and drug use was often portrayed as a social problem. -
National Minimum Drinking Age Act (NMDAA)
Before the NMDAA, the legal drinking age varied from state to state. This variation led to concerns about young people crossing state lines to purchase alcohol legally and then driving back to their home state. To address this issue, the NMDAA mandated that all states in the United States raise their minimum legal drinking age to 21 years old. -
Period: to
Preventing early substance abuse
Research on the adolescent brain and the effects of substances gained traction. Studies showed that the brain continues to develop until the mid-20s, making adolescents more vulnerable to the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. This research strengthened the argument for preventing early substance use. -
Public health campaigns
Public health campaigns and stricter tobacco marketing regulations contributed to declining teenage smoking rates. However, there was an increasing concern over prescription drug abuse among adolescents, particularly opioids. -
Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis emerged as a significant concern in many countries, including the United States, during this decade. The misuse of prescription opioids, often obtained from family members or friends, became prevalent among teenagers and young adults. -
Over-the-counter medicine abuse
A study published in the journal of substance abuse raises concerns about the misuse of over-the-counter cough and cold medications by teenagers to get high -
Parental involvement
Public health campaigns continue to emphasize the importance of parental involvement and early intervention in reducing teenage drug abuse rates. -
Vaping
The CDC reports on the rise of vaping and e-cigarette use among teenagers, raising concerns about nicotine addiction as a potential gateway to other substances. -
Crackdown on e-cigarette sales
The FDA announces a crackdown on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and launches campaigns against youth vaping. -
Synthetic Drugs
Ongoing efforts focus on raising awareness about the dangers of synthetic drugs, including synthetic marijuana ("spice") and synthetic stimulants ("bath salts"), which were popular among teenagers -
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic poses new challenges to addressing teenage drug abuse, including social isolation and disruptions in education and prevention programs.