social studies sba

Statement of Problem

How has the abuse of the drug ‘’Marijuana’’ affected Teenagers in Santa Cruz?
Research Questions:
What causes teenagers to abuse Marijuana What are the effects of Marijuana among teenagers

What measures can be taken to reduce the number of teenagers who abuse Marijuana

Reason for Selecting Area of Research

The reason for selecting the area of research ‘’How has the abuse of the drug Marijuana affected teenagers in Santa Cruz’’ is to highlight what has been a haunting effect on our young people.

The researcher has observed that teenagers in her community are students who continue to miss out on educational activities. The area overtime will become filled with unemployed, uneducated young people who might remain dependent on others for financial support. These individuals are often lowered in self-esteem and have a negative look towards life and the society.

Method of Investigation

In order to collect data from the survey I have decided to use printed questionnaires.

The questionnaires as a tool for collecting data have a number of advantages:

It requires little time to be completed
It can be done at the convenience of the person required to have it completed
It guarantees confidentiality since respondents are required to attach their names

Data Collection Instrument

Survey of the abuse of the drug ‘’marijuana’ among Teenagers in Santa Cruz

Dear Teenagers,
This is a survey been carried out in Santa Cruz to determine the causes and effects of Drug Abuse among teenagers in the community. The study is being conducted as an assignment for a Social Studies course the researcher is pursuing at the moment.
You are advised to answer the following questions honestly and truthfully since you do not write your name anywhere, no one will ever know you answered in a particular way. Remember this is not a test; there is no right or wrong answer. Most of the questions can be answered by a little tick in a box like this . Specific instructions are given where necessary.

Yours sincerely,
Nehera Smith.

1. Sex: Male Female
2. What age did you started to use Marijuana?
12-14 15-16 17-19
3. What group in society do you belong?
Upper class Middle class Lower Class
4. Were you influenced by someone to take Marijuana?
Yes No
5. Why did you started to take Marijuana?
Family Issues Peer Pressure Stress
6. How long have you been addicted to Marijuana?
Over 7 years 1-4 years under 1 year
7. How regular do you use Marijuana?
Every 2 hours within 3 days Everyday
8. What was your reaction when you saw yourself using Marijuana?
Ashamed Happy Fearful
9. What kind of drugs do you frequently mix Marijuana with?
Cocaine Tobacco Cigarette 10. Have you ever gone out of your way to get Marijuana?
Yes No 11. What main problem do you face as a young smoker? Lack of finance Stress Incomplete Education 12. What was the reaction of your parents when they found out? Angry Supportive did not care 13. Were you allowed to go back to school? Yes No
14. How are you treated by members of your community? Disrespectful Understanding don’t care
15. Would you join a Drug awareness club? Yes No

Procedures for Data Collection

A total of 25 questionnaires were distributed to teenagers. Of these respondents 88% were males and 12% were females. Their ages varied from 12-19.
The questionnaire was prepared as it was a tool for collecting data. It was decided by the researcher to use mostly structured questions to ensure that specific data would be gathered. The questionnaire consisted of fifteen questions. Twenty five copies were distributed at randomly to males and females in the community who were themselves young Drug Abusers.

The individuals were allowed a period of two weeks before the researcher attempted to collect the questionnaires. All the questionnaires were distributed and collected on the second attempt.

Presentation and Explanation of Data

A total of 25 questionnaires were distributed to teenagers, and all were returned. Of these respondents 88% were males and 12% were females. Figure 1 shows the groups in society to which teenagers belong. It can be seen that 64% of Marijuana abusers were from Middle class families, 20% belonged to Upper class families while 16% were from lower class families.

Figure 2 shows whether teenagers were influenced by someone to smoke Marijuana. Most teenagers 84% were influenced by someone to smoke marijuana while 16% were self-responsible.

Figure 3 shows why teenagers began to use Marijuana. It can be seen that 60% of teenagers use Marijuana as a result of Stress, 36% of the cases arise from Family Issues however, 4% relate from Peer Pressure.

Figure 4 shows whether teenagers have ever gone out of their way to get Marijuana. It can be seen that 88% of teenagers who use Marijuana sometimes go out of their way to get the drug while 12% get it at some point it time.

Figure 5 shows the reactions of parents when they found out their teenagers were using Marijuana. It can be seen that 88% of parents were angry, 12% of teenage parents did not care if their teens were using marijuana and 0% were not supportive of their child using the drug.

Figure 6 shows whether teenagers would join drug awareness clubs. It can be seen that 96% of teenagers would appreciate being a part of the awareness while 4% went against the awareness activity.

Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Marijuana abuse in the territorial region has been a major problem for some time now. In Jamaica, marijuana abuse is not seen as the abuse to the user because they are being ‘’relieved of stress’’.
Class has a lot to do with how a person behaves. For marijuana abusers, 64% of them are from middle class families in Santa Cruz, contrary to customs which says the poor and vulnerable are more suspected to fall under the influence of drugs. 20% of Marijuana abusers are from the upper families. The final 16% of respondents fall into the lower class of families.
Influence has a lot to do with the actions of teens, from the survey carried out, the researcher saw that 84% of teens who use and misuse marijuana do so under the influence of others. The remaining 16% of respondents started on their own.
Marijuana abuse does not occur like an influenza pandemic does; it is as a result of youth reacting to some kind of pressure. From the study done 60% of persons who misuse marijuana do so for the stress relief they may get. Peer pressure is the leading factor for 4% of marijuana users. The final 36% to complete the 100% fit is family issues.
Addiction causes people to do unusual and unnecessary things to get what they want. When the researcher asked, 88% said they would out go of their way to get marijuana and 12% said they would not.
The marijuana users addiction have an effect on their parents 0% of them were supportive of the activity, 12% of parents did not care and the final 88% were very angry with their children.
In order to curb the marijuana users, and the effect the drug has on the 96% of respondents indicated that they would be interested in joining a drug awareness club. The other 4% lashed out on the idea implying it would not be of any help for them.

Statement of Findings

Peer pressure as agreed by 60% of respondents is the major reason for the abuse of Marijuana in Santa Cruz.
Finance was the major factor faced as a young drug abuser 48%.
Most teenagers suggested that they would join drug awareness clubs and societies in their communities 96%.

Recommendations and Implementations Strategy

The researcher recommends that:
Young people should set goals and go after them and participate in healthy activities. I would further suggest that parents spend more time in open discussions with their teenager and monitoring their activities.
The government through its community Centre’s and Government Information Service could organize drug awareness programs for young people. The researcher would implement professional counseling at various community centers across the country with the help from different state agencies. This would be successful because teenagers and their parents would have a third party representative to negotiate the problems affecting each party and help to solve them.

Conclusion
Marijuana abuse is not seen as the abuse to the user because they are being ‘’relieved of stress’’. Most teenagers turn to drugs because family issues and peer pressure.

Bibliography

Ramsawak, Rampersad; Umraw, Ralph R. 2005.
Modules in Social Studies 4th edition. Caribbean Educational Publishers. Gulf City, La Romaine, Trinidad, W.I.

Bibliography: Ramsawak, Rampersad; Umraw, Ralph R. 2005. Modules in Social Studies 4th edition. Caribbean Educational Publishers. Gulf City, La Romaine, Trinidad, W.I.