4: SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Social pressures, disruptive or upsetting life experiences, and the inability of parents to pursue protective strategies are the triggers of substance dependence by young people. Adolescence is the transitional stage of puberty to adulthood; a critical period of growth, where issues of this sort frequently occur. This is the period at which mental, physical, cognitive, and social change happens concurrently, along with interrelated factors. Analysis of the subject of substance misuse among youths starts with an overview of the problem of opioid addiction among adolescents in the sense of applicable criminology hypotheses. Discussions will be conducted on the strategies the US is pursuing to address the issue. Finally, awareness of the preventive measures that may be implemented rather than intervening only once the misuse has started.