Hin Hua High School Senior 2 Students’ Perspectives on Drugs And Alcohol Abuse In The Life Of Teenagers

Hin Hua High School Senior 2
Students’ Perspectives on Drugs And

Alcohol Abuse In The Life Of
Teenagers

Iris Yap Jin Jin(1)
Tan Hwei Shan(5)
Lee Earn Yee(7)
Mah Yi Qing(8)

S2 Canberra

Teacher: Mrs Sastina Rajenikanthen
Hin Hua High School

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Table of Contents

Abstract 4

1. Introduction 5
1.1 Background to the study 5
1.2 Statement of Problems 6
1.3 Purpose of research 6
1.4 Research Question 6
1.5 Significance of the study 7
1.6 Limitation of the Study 7

2. Literature Review 8

3. Methodology 12
3.1 Introduction 12
3.2 The respondents 12
3.3 Instrumentation 12
3.4 Procedure 12
3.5 Data analysis 12

4. Findings 13

4.1 Introduction 13

4.2 Findings 13

4.2.1 Questionnaire 13

Figure 4.1: Student’s perspective on the main reason(s) that teenagers

take drugs. 14

Chart 4.2: Student's perspective on whether they choose to join their

parents or peers if they are substance abusers. 14

Chart 4.3: Student’s perspective on whether drugs make them less 15
productive in their studies.

Chart 4.4: Student’s perspective on the effect of drugs on a person. 15

Chart 4.5: Student’s perspective on the influence of their peers who are

drug and alcohol consumers. 16

Chart 4.6: Student’s perspective on whether drugs and alcohol

consumption are the main causes of parental neglect or parent’s abusive

behaviour. 17

Chart 4.7: Student’s perspective on early education about the bad effects

of drugs and alcohol abuse. 17

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Chart 4.8: Students’ perspectives on whether substance abuse could be a

radical cure through treatments(without side effects). 18

Chart 4.9: Student’s perspective on the action they will take if their friend

is a substance (drugs and alcohol) abuser. 19

Chart 4.10: Student’s perspective on how children should deal with

parental neglect or parent’s abusive behaviour. 19

Chart 4.11: Student’s perspective on the action that should be taken by

schools. 20

Chart 4.12: Student’s perspective on the action that should be taken by

parents. 21

4.3 Conclusion 21

5. Discussion 22
5.1 Introduction 22
5.2 Discussion 22
5.2.1 Students’ perspectives on the abuse of drugs and alcohol 22
5.2.2 The possible solutions to avoid teenagers from taking drugs 22
5.3 Conclusion of the study 23
5.4 Reflection 23
5.5 Conclusion 23

6. Conclusion 24

7. References 25

8. Appendix 26

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ABSTRACT

Teens' use and abuse of drugs and alcohol is frequent, and it can lead to
significant repercussions. In this study, the researchers have introduced the
consequences and the usage of drugs and alcohol in Hin Hua High School. The
aim of this research is to raise awareness on the subject of drugs and alcohol
abuse and to allow students to have a proper insight on the dangers of drugs and
alcohol. Many teenagers have been found misusing drugs and alcohol without
their parents' acknowledgement. Some are also addicted to smoking cigarettes
and vaping at just the age of 14. This indirectly affects their health and
academic performances. By introducing the dangers of using these substances
and the negative impact they have on a person, students can gain a better
understanding of the dangers of drugs and alcohol, particularly the dark
background and consequences of drug and alcohol addiction. Therefore, this
study aims at analyzing HHHS senior 2 students’ perspectives on how the abuse
of drugs and alcohol affect our body and to propose possible solutions on how
to avoid taking drugs. Quantitative research method was employed in this study.
Overall, the findings suggest that early education on the negative impacts of
drugs and alcohol abuse is the best way to help teenagers develop healthy
beliefs about drugs and alcohol abuse and avoid them from taking part in drugs
and alcohol.

Keywords: Drugs, Alcohol, Abuse, Raise awareness, Danger, Academic
performance, Negative impacts

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study
Nowadays, the abuse of drugs and alcohol by teenagers is very common

and can cause plenty of serious consequences. As to what we assume, some of
them are not aware of how the abuse of drugs and alcohol can affect their body
and academic performances. While, others are most likely to be influenced by
their friends, family or even public society.

Drugs can be split into the legal type and an illegal sort. They are natural
or synthetic substances that (when taken into a living body) affect its
functioning or structure and are used in the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment or
prevention of a disease or relief of discomfort.

However, that is only the tip of the iceberg in regards to the legal sort,
illegal drugs are marijuana (pot), stimulants (cocaine, crack, and speed), LSD,
PCP, opiates or opioid painkillers, heroin, and designer drugs (Ecstasy). They
are highly addictive and will affect the mental capacity and health of the user.

Hence, this issue has motivated us to analyze Hin Hua High School
(HHHS) senior 2 students’ perspective on the abuse of drugs and alcohol and to
propose possible solutions on how to avoid taking drugs.

Lastly, according to our sources of information, there has been an
organisation since 2010 (the National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA)) which has
undergone many efforts to convince rehabilitation programs to undertake a more
open-concept approach. This approach provides substance abusers with the
treatment of community service without facing the hammer of justice in the
Legal World or even prosecution.

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The Malaysian government has initiated two programs, “SHIELDS” and
“Tomorrow’s Leader”, which are aimed at providing drug education and
prevention in public and private universities.

1.2 Statement of Problems

According to “The Star” news, many teenagers have been found misusing
drugs and alcohol without their parents’ acknowledgement. Some are also
addicted to smoking cigarettes and vaping at just the age of 14, which indirectly
affects their health and academic performances. As most of the teenagers are
indirectly involved in this case. We are afraid that some students from HHHS
might be influenced by people around them and there is a chance that they
would be misusing drugs and alcohol without anyone knowing. Consequently,
we would like to introduce the dangers of using these items and the negative
effect it has on the daily lives of the users to HHHS’ students. As well as raising
awareness about the harm that drugs and alcohol can do to not just teenagers,
but every human alive.

1.3 Purpose of research

This study is aimed to raise awareness on the subject of drugs and alcohol
abuse and to allow students from HHHS to have a proper insight on the dangers
of drugs and alcohol, especially on the dark background and consequences of
the abuse of these toxic items. It is also aimed to introduce the dangers of using
these items and the negative effect it has on the daily lives of the users with
HHHS students and teachers.

1.4 Research Question

● What are HHHS senior 2 students’ perspectives on the abuse of drugs and
alcohol? (Main aim)

● What are the possible solutions to avoid teenagers from taking drugs?
(Subsidiary aim)

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1.5 Significance of the study
This study can help make contributions to society to reduce the social

issue of drugs and alcohol abuse among teenagers. It will motivate HHHS
students to have a proper insight on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, especially
on the dark background and consequences of the abuse of these toxic items.
Moreover, it will also motivate them to absorb the knowledge of the possible
solutions on how to avoid taking drugs in order to improve their physical and
mental wellbeing.
1.6 Limitation of the Study

The limitation of the study will be that the participants selected in this
study are on the same level and school, which is from HHHS’ senior 2 students.
The same research if conducted on different age groups or schools will most
likely bring about different responses and conclusions.

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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

Drug addiction, as known as substance use disorder, is an illness that
affects an individual's brain and behaviour and leads to an inability to manage
the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol,
marijuana and nicotine are also considered drugs. When we are addicted to
drugs, we can’t resist the urge to use them, in spite of how much harm the drugs
might cause. The earlier we tend to get treatment for drug addiction, the more
likely we are to avoid some of the more dire consequences of the disease, such
as depression, anxiety, ADHD, paranoia and even suicide attempts. In order to
avoid these issues, the researchers decided to conduct this study in order to get
students’ perspectives on this topic and propose possible solutions so that
teenagers will be avoided from taking drugs. In this paper, HHHS Senior 2
Students’ perspectives on drugs and alcohol abuse in the life of teenagers are
being analyzed. All studies selected for this review were published in 2016 and
2020 to ensure that the study is up to date. The following four literature reviews
highlight many key aspects of this paper’s topic, including teen co-occurring
disorders (mental disorders and drug abuse in teenagers), the factors impacting
early alcohol and drug abuse among youths, teenagers substance abuse
prevention, and lastly, treatments for addiction.

The abuse of drugs and alcohol are commonly found in teenagers, as
well as mental disorders like depression and anxiety. As a matter of fact, dual
diagnosis happens in the greater part of all adolescents who misuse drugs.
Juergens (2020) points out that most mental disorders develop when the human
brain is still developing well into an individual’s early 20s. Depression arises
from a blend of biological, genetic, psychological and environmental factors,
the same goes for addiction, so both are expected to co-occur (Juergens, 2020).
Adolescence is a time of change for teenagers，they may have a hard time
coping as their bodies, lives and even brain chemistry change. They are believed
to turn to drugs and alcohol to medicate themselves when they are feeling down.
Depression can lead to self-harm, violence, drug and alcohol abuse. An anxiety
disorder might form when a teen’s everyday life starts meddling with
nervousness and fear (Juergens, 2020). They would begin to avoid school, work
and activities as they feel incapable of functioning due to worry. At this

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moment, teens would become dependent on substances to make themselves feel
“normal”. Juergens (2020) study mentions ‘One in eight children are affected by
an anxiety disorder, but only 20 percent of affected children receive treatment.’
This statement emphasised that it is important to find drug treatments and
recovery programs for all teens. By combining both information, co-occurring
disorders must be treated at once to keep teens from “falling between the
cracks”. Inpatient and outpatient treatment centres provide programs designed
to assist teens to overcome both obstacles (Juergens, 2020). Parental guidance is
also crucial during this period. This study could provide insights on how mental
disorders and addictions, along with substance abuse co-occur and how to treat
teens addictions and co-occurring disorders.

Besides,studies have shown that there is a theory that impacts early
alcohol and drug use among teenagers. The prevailing theory published by
Jessor (1987) on what factors drive a young person to consume alcohol or use
drugs early is known as the problem-behaviour theory(PBT). PBT suggests a
great deal of behaviour is tied to personally valued goals. Goals that are
inconsistent with conventional values are tied to what Jessor (1987) calls
“problems behaviour”-things such as lack of academic achievement, aggression,
violence, risky sexual behaviour and substance use (Butler Center for Research,
2016). The tendency of an adolescent to prefer unconventional personal goals,
his or her perceived and actual social support for achieving these goals,
perceived and actual social norms and behaviour modelling, and the
environmental availability of goal-oriented resources can all significantly
increase or decrease the likelihood of problem behaviours (Jessor, 1987).
Furthermore, parental influence is also one of the factors that impact early
alcohol and drug use among teenagers. Children whose parents were regular
drinkers were three times more likely to sip or taste alcohol before the age of 12
than children whose parents did not drink (Donovan et al., 2014).

Studies have found that adolescents with high levels of self-esteem or low
levels of self-derogation are more likely to develop healthy beliefs about drugs
and alcohol and are therefore less likely to engage in substance misuse (Taylor et
al.,2005; Handren et al.,2016). According to Butler Center for Research (2016),
the development of personal attitudes is largely driven by the influence of family
and peer beliefs, early intervention with young adolescents is critical to

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establishing healthy norms about substance use. Therefore, Donovan et al. (2014)
write that:

“It is critical for parents and other supportive adults to clearly communicate
the risks of alcohol and drug use in order to establish an environment where
substance misuse is met with clear disapproval.” (Donovan et al., 2014)

Handren al et. (2016) points out that when paired with well-established
knowledge of the risks of substance misuse and a home environment that
disapproves of alcohol and other drug use, high self-esteem increases the chances
that adolescents will rely less with peers who use or approve of the use of alcohol
or other drugs, which in turn facilitates the development of healthy personal
attitudes and behaviours in relation to substance misuse in later adolescent stages.

Furthermore, Murray (2020) revealed that prevention plans are able to
stop teens from expanding substance use disorder. Teen substance abuse is
problematic for several reasons as teens are still growing significant life skills,
their identity, likes and dislikes (Murray, 2020). If teens begin experimenting
with substances to feel “normal” or fit in, they can unknowingly set themselves
up for a potentially life-threatening habit, making prevention critical. Murray
(2020) reviews that there are governmental agencies and school teachers that
attempt to teach children about living a drug-free life. Much of this prevents
teens from misusing drugs before they enter the real world. Parents can talk to
their children about the consequences of drugs and alcohol abuse in order to
create a strong foundation of self-awareness. Educating teens on the effects of
drugs and alcohol abuse is necessary as it controls possible drug use before
entering adulthood. Through Murray’s research article, the researchers
discovered that educating teens on how to prevent misusing drugs and alcohol is
crucial. Parents should strictly control their kids in these cases. Through this
research, the researchers are able to conclude that governmental agencies,
teachers and parents play an important part in educating teens on the
consequences of drugs and alcohol abuse.

Based on the increasing addiction statistics, numerous experts and
associations are given out the method of therapy. Underwood (2020) pointed out
that picking the treatment that turns out best for you depends on the substance
you're mishandling, the degree of care you need, your own mental health needs or
what medical services alternatives you can bear. According to American

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Addiction Centers (2020), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a precious
treatment as it is not limited to any kinds of addiction. Through Underwood’s
research, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) could verify negative
thoughts and Contingency Management (CM) is in order to reinforce positive
thoughts to increase good emotion. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020)
stated that CM has been successfully withstood those substance abuse relapses.
Detoxification and medication could not treat the addiction arouse behaviourally
but it helps to reduce addictive substances that exist in the body, both are typically
used in combination with other therapies. Recently, the FDA has approved
lofexidine to help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms in patients receiving
treatment for opioid addiction (Underwood, 2020). Twelve-step facilitation
therapy ("12-step programs") is specialized in treating alcohol and other
substance abuse. It assists in acquainted the holistic consequences caused by
addiction and conducted in the form of a group. This study could provide several
common successful treatments for addiction and analyze each treatments’
function.

In conclusion, being addicted to drugs and alcohol, as well as misusing
them in the life of teenagers could be viewed as falling down the rabbit hole.
From short-term side effects to long-term irreversible damage, addiction impacts
every part of a person’s life and sometimes, the consequences can be deadly.
From the studies reviewed above, it can be agreed that dual diagnosis happens in
the greater part of all adolescents who misuse drugs, parents or peer beliefs and
even social norms can have big influences on teenagers’ behaviour, governmental
agencies, teachers and parents play an important part in preventing teenagers from
misusing substances, and finally, successful treatments that are available can
assist to overcome addictions. Without a doubt, the studies above, though flawed
in the sense that they overlooked certain main aspects of the subject, prove to
provide much-needed information into the areas that need further study. Drugs
and alcohol abuse in the life of teenagers, who are the majority in HHHS, begs
further investigations on its effects on our body. Moreover, HHHS Senior 2
Students’ perspectives on how their growing environment affects them prove to
be an important aspect to be researched.

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CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction
The aim of this study is to analyze HHHS Senior 2 students’ perspective on how
the abuse of drugs and alcohol affect our body and to propose possible solutions
on how to avoid taking drugs.

3.2 The respondents
The respondents for this study were 600 and more male and female students from
the age of 16 to 17 from HHHS Senior 2. (Chinese speaking background)

3.3 Instrumentation
Questionnaire was used as the main instrument for this research. The
questionnaire was created using Google Forms. 12 multiple choice questions were
created for students.

3.4 Procedure
The researchers prepared the questionnaire and created them using Google Forms.
Next, the researchers selected 600 and more students from HHHS Senior 2 to
answer the questionnaire. After informing the participants, the participants were
given 2 days to answer the questionnaire. The researchers checked the responses
online daily. After the due date for answering the questionnaire, the researchers
started to analyze the findings.

3.5 Data analysis
Data collected was generated automatically using Google Drive. Data was
presented in the form of pie charts and explanations.

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CHAPTER 4

FINDINGS

4.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the data collected from instruments listed in chapter 3
throughout the stages of study. It also examines the findings and feedback of the
participants' responses. It presents quantitative analysis by discussing the
analysis of the questionnaire administered using Google Docs. The students'
perspectives on the abuse of drugs and alcohol are then analysed quantitatively.

4.2 Findings
This study was to investigate:
1. What are HHHS senior 2 students’ perspectives on the abuse of drugs and
alcohol?
2. What are the possible solutions to avoid teenagers from taking drugs?
The data collected from the Questionnaire was analysed to get the findings.

4.2.1 Questionnaire
The data acquired from the questionnaire was scrutinized to get the answers to
the research questions.

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Figure 4.1: Student’s perspective on the main reason(s) that teenagers take
drugs.

Chart 4.1 displays the respondent’s perspective on the main reason(s) that
teenagers take drugs. The most perceived reason why teens take drugs is being
influenced by others, while the same number of respondents, which is both
16.2%, think that boredom or lack of confidence is the reason. Moreover, 66.2%
of respondents think depression or stress is the reason, which accounts for the
second-largest proportion. This shows that being influenced is the main reason,
however, misinformation and being threatened by drug traffickers or alcohol
sellers plays a small part.
Chart 4.2: Student's perspective on whether they choose to join their
parents or peers if they are substance abusers.

Chart 4.2 shows the respondent’s perspective on whether they choose to join
their parents or peers if they are substance abusers. As shown in the chart,
98.6% of respondents selected no as they understand what bad effects drugs and
alcohol consumption can have on them. While 1.4% of respondents selected yes

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as they think they will join them and behave just like them. According to the
result, it can be said that the majority of respondents will not join their parents
or peers if they are substance abusers.
Chart 4.3: Student’s perspective on whether drugs make them less
productive in their studies.

Chart 4.3 illustrates the respondent's perspective on whether drugs make them
less productive in their studies. As shown from the chart, we can see that 94.6%
of respondents think drugs abusing will make them less productive in their
studies, while the rest of the 5.4% answered no as they think they will remain
productive in their studies if they use drugs. Seeing that the majority of the
respondents think that drugs will reduce their productivity in their studies, it is
safe to assume that drugs will have a big impact on their studies.
Chart 4.4: Student’s perspective on the effect of drugs on a person.

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Chart 4.4 illustrates the respondent’s perspective on the effect of drugs on a
person. The highest percentage in the chart is 29.7%, which is emotional issues
(AKA anger-management issues, easily depressed, sudden mood swings etc).
The second-highest percentage, which is 20.3% of the respondents, selected
sudden loss of memory, attention easily diverted and indecisiveness. Next,
13.5% of respondents think drugs can tear apart a family. However, 10.8% of
respondents answered that a person who has drugs can cause mental problems
(DID, psychosis, hallucinations). There are 8.1% of respondents who chose
effects such as seizures, mental confusion and brain damage. Besides, severe
withdrawal symptoms, flood the brain and produce a “high”, and ADHD (easily
distracted and very hyperactive, like sugar rush) have the same percentage,
which is 4.1% of respondents. The same number of respondents, which is 2.7%
each, chose effects such as physical disfigurement or heart conditions ranging
from abnormal heart rates to heart attacks. Based on the data we have collected,
it can be concluded that the majority of the respondents think emotional issues
are the effect drugs can have on a person.

Chart 4.5: Student’s perspective on the influence of their peers who are
drug and alcohol consumers.

Chart 4.5 reveals the respondent's perspective on the influence of their peers
who are drug and alcohol consumers. According to the chart, the highest and
also the same number of respondents, which is 33.8% each, think that their
friend will persuade them to buy drugs and alcohol or will have relationship
problems. Furthermore, the second-highest number of respondents, which is
23%, think that she/he will have financial problems and keep on borrowing
(sometimes steal) their money. The least number of respondents, which is 9.5%,

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think that there will be constant arguing and violent fighting. This indicates that
most of the respondents think that if their friend is a drug or alcohol consumer,
it can cause relationship problems and persuasion on buying drugs and alcohol.
Chart 4.6: Student’s perspective on whether drugs and alcohol
consumption are the main causes of parental neglect or parent’s abusive
behaviour.

Chart 4.6 shows the respondent’s perspective on whether drugs and alcohol
consumption are the main causes of parental neglect or parent’s abusive
behaviour. A large number of respondents, which is 77%, agree with this
statement. However, 23% of respondents disagree with it. Based on the data
collected, the majority of respondents think that drugs and alcohol consumption
are the main causes of parental neglect or parents’ abusive behaviour.
Chart 4.7: Student’s perspective on early education about the bad effects of
drugs and alcohol abuse.

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Chart 4.7 reveals respondent’s perspective on whether early education about the
bad effects of drugs and alcohol abuse is important for teenagers to develop
healthy beliefs about drugs and alcohol. According to the chart, a large number
of respondents, which is 93.2%, agreed as they think teenagers’ healthy beliefs
about drugs and alcohol has a big association with early education about the bad
effects of drugs and alcohol abuse, while 6.8% of respondents disagreed. This
indicates that the majority of respondents think that early education about the
bad effects of drugs and alcohol abuse can help teenagers to avoid misusing
drugs and alcohol.

Chart 4.8: Students’ perspectives on whether substance abuse could be a
radical cure through treatments(without side effects).

Chart 4.8 shows the respondent’s perspective on whether substance abuse could
be a radical cure through treatments (without side effects). A large number of
respondents, 54.1%, think that substance abuse could radical cured through
treatments (without side effects) whereas 45.9% of respondents, almost half of
the proportion do not think so. This result implies that almost half of the
respondents have the same perspective but more respondents agree with this
statement than those who disagree.

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Chart 4.9: Student’s perspective on the action they will take if their friend
is a substance (drugs and alcohol) abuser.

Chart 4.9 shows the possible action the respondents might take if their friend is
a substance abuser. According to the pie chart, the greatest number of
respondents will stop their friend from taking drugs by communicating with
them. While the second largest proportion of the respondents, which is 18.9%,
will inform the abuser’s family. The percentage of respondents that will choose
to ignore and leave their friend alone is similar to the percentage of respondents
who would choose to call the police, which is 9.5% each. It could be said that
everyone would take action if their friend is a substance abuser, no one would
choose to join them.
Chart 4.10: Student’s perspective on how children should deal with
parental neglect or parent’s abusive behaviour.

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Chart 4.10 reveals the respondent’s perspective on how children should deal
with parental neglect or parent’s abusive behaviour. According to the pie chart,
the highest number of respondents think that children should contact a therapist
while the second-highest percentage of respondents, which is 30.6%, think that
children should contact a psychiatrist when the parents display abusive
behaviour. Furthermore, the same number of respondents, which is 2.8%, think
that children should contact a mental asylum or leave their home. This indicates
that the majority of respondents think the best way for children to deal with
parental neglect or parents’ abusive behaviour is by contacting a therapist or a
psychiatrist.

Chart 4.11: Student’s perspective on the action that should be taken by
schools.

Chart 4.11 displays the respondent’s perspective on the action that should be
taken by schools. According to the chart, the majority of the respondents, which
is 70.3%, think that schools should give the students counselling. In addition,
the second-highest number of the respondents, which are 23% of them, think
that the school should talk to the students’ parents. However, there are a similar
number of respondents, each between 1% to 5%, who agreed that using
violence, ignoring the students and contacting a mental asylum are actions that
the school should take. We can also see that none of the respondents thinks that
expelling the students and bringing them to the police are suitable actions that
the school should take. It could be said that counselling is the best way for the
school to deal with students who take drugs.

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Chart 4.12: Student’s perspective on the action that should be taken by
parents.

Chart 4.12 reveals respondent’s perspective on the action that should be taken
by parents if their teens take drugs. The greatest number of respondents, which
is 43.2%, think that parents should have a heart-to-heart conversation with their
children. Moreover, the second greatest number of respondents, which is 33.8%,
think that parents should contact a psychiatrist. Performing an investigation to
find out what made them do it, which contains 14.9%, is also recommended.
Although contacting a mental asylum and calling the police is an option here,
both are the least agreed option. According to this result, the best action parents
should take is to have a heart-to-heart conversation with them or contact a
psychiatrist.

4.3 Conclusion
In conclusion, based on the data collected, we can conclude that the majority of
respondents believe that teens take drugs because they are influenced by those
around them; however, being depressed or stressed can also be a factor. Besides,
most respondents agreed that the consumption of drugs and alcohol could affect
our physical state and academic attainments. Furthermore, the majority of
respondents believe that parents and peers should try to communicate with
substance-abusing teenagers. In addition, the majority of respondents think that
early education about the bad effects of drugs and alcohol abuse is crucial for
teenagers to develop healthy beliefs about drugs and alcohol. Overall, we may
conclude that almost all respondents have a healthy belief in substance and
alcohol addiction and that the likelihood of them using drugs is low.

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CHAPTER 5

DISCUSSION

5.1 Introduction
This chapter examines the findings of the study and concludes the study done.
Furthermore, a few recommendations are likewise given on how the research
can be done later on.

5.2 Discussion

5.2.1 Students’ perspectives on the abuse of drugs and alcohol
Based on the findings, the results followed are what we expected. We
discovered that peer pressure and mental problems such as depression and being
under stress are the main causes of drug and alcohol misuse. Moreover, the
impacts of drugs on a person include emotional issues (AKA anger-management
issues, easily depression, sudden mood swings, etc) and sudden loss of memory,
attention easily diverted and indecisiveness, and also make a person less
productive in their studies. In addition, drugs and alcohol abuse are the leading
causes of parental neglect or parents’ abusive behaviour. If teens' friends or
parents are substance abusers, it may raise their risks of abusing drugs and
alcohol. However, we discovered that the majority of respondents would not
join substance abusers since they are aware of the negative effects drugs might
have on them.

5.2.2 The possible solutions to avoid teenagers from taking drugs
To help improve the situation of teenagers being substance consumers, here are
some possible solutions and recommendations. Teenagers are suggested to take
some action on their friends, communication is needed to stop their friend from
taking drugs. For schools and parents, counselling and heart-to-heart
conversations are the best actions that can be taken for their children or students
who take drugs. Furthermore, the results are similar to the opinions of Handren

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et al. (2016) that early education about the bad effects of drugs and alcohol
abuse is crucial for teenagers to develop healthy beliefs about drugs and alcohol.

5.3 Conclusion of the study
In conclusion, based on the data collected, we can conclude that the majority of
respondents believe that teens take drugs because they are influenced by those
around them; however, being depressed or stressed can also be a factor. Besides,
most respondents agreed that the consumption of drugs and alcohol could affect
our physical state and academic attainments. Furthermore, the majority of
respondents believe that parents and peers should try to communicate with
substance-abusing teenagers. In addition, most respondents think that early
education about the bad effects of drugs and alcohol abuse is crucial for
teenagers to develop healthy beliefs about drugs and alcohol. Overall, we may
conclude that almost all respondents have a healthy belief in substance and
alcohol addiction and that the likelihood of them using drugs is low.

5.4 Reflection
This study was made possible thanks to the promptness and participation of all
of our respondents. However, we would like to acknowledge that certain
improvements are needed to improve our future studies. In the future, it would
be necessary to ensure that the questionnaire is specific to avoid uncertainty in
the results. Besides, our writing and summarising skills, as well as our
vocabulary bank, could be strengthened, we should also do more in-depth
research on the subject we were researching. Nevertheless, we have spent a
significant amount of time and effort on this study and are proud of the results.

5.5 Conclusion
In this chapter, the researchers discussed the study and concluded the study.
Besides, the researchers likewise put forward recommendations in case future
study is carried out.

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CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION

In general, drug and alcohol misuse can have a negative impact on a student's
health and academic performance. Understanding the impact of drug and
alcohol addictions on students' physical and intellectual development can serve
as a guide for schools in providing students with the help they need to avoid
becoming substance consumers. The intake of drugs and alcohol has been
shown to have an impact on student’s physical health and academic
achievement in this study. Therefore, the government and school officials
should work together to organise activities, lectures, or exhibitions to instruct
students about the abuse of drugs and alcohol, as well as the impact of these
substances, to nurture healthier beliefs toward drugs and alcohol and to provide
basic awareness. Furthermore, school counselling should provide greater
empathy for students and provide them guidance on how to avoid depression so
that they do not turn to addiction while they are stressed. The school teachers
should watch out for identifying signs of depression in students, for example,
unexplained or out of ordinary absences, loss of interest in activities or even
changes in peer groups. Teachers should take the necessary steps to assist these
students in coping with depression and providing them with as much emotional
support as possible. Besides, as friends and family, we should acknowledge that
an addicted friend might not see their drug use as a problem. We should express
our concerns to them, remain cheerful and assure them that we will always be
there for them. At the same time, we should avoid guilt-tripping them,
preaching, bribing, or threatening them. Taking these conclusions into account,
the researchers recommend that there can be more studies in the future
regarding drugs and alcohol abuse among teenagers. Due to the studies demand
a lot of capital, thus recruit benevolent suppliers or apply for the government
release assist studies program. Numerous entrepreneurs would discover the
studies that possess potential development in the future by using the name of the
company to sponsor part of the studies conducted. By the side of the company,
the government or relevant authorities programs would be more legal and
guaranteed.

24

References
Butler Center for Research. (2016). Factors Impacting Early Alcohol and Drug
Use Among Youths. Retrieved February 25, 2021, from
https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/education/bcr/addiction-research/drug-use-tee
ns-ru-1016
Juergens, J. (2020). Teen Co-Occurring Disorders (Mental Disorders and Drug
Abuse in Teenagers). Retrieved February 25, 2021, from
https://www.addictioncenter.com/teenage-drug-abuse/co-occurring-disorders/
Murray, K. (2020). Teenagers Substance Abuse Prevention. Retrieved February
25, 2021, from
https://www.addictioncenter.com/teenage-drug-abuse/teenage-substance-abuse-
preventon/
Underwood, C. (2020). 6 Treatments For Addiction That Are Proven
Successful. Retrieved February 25, 2021, from
https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/successf
ul-treatments-for-addiction

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Appendix 1

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27

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Appendix 2

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