New Study Shows Dropouts More Likely to Drink & Use Drugs

Growing up, parents and teachers always say, "Stay in school. Don't do drugs." Some kids listen to this advice, and some choose to go down a different path. There is wisdom and knowledge in these words, and young students should pay attention to this age-old saying. A new report conducted by the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration actually shows that high school students that drop out before graduating are more likely drink, smoke and do drugs than those who stay in school.

Dropouts & Drug Abuse

According to this report, 31 percent of high school dropouts use drugs, compared to 18 percent - just a little over half - of students who stay in school and graduate. Of those who leave school before graduating, 27 percent smoke marijuana, and 10 percent abuse prescription drugs. Only 15 percent of students who graduate smoke marijuana, and roughly 5 percent abuse prescription drugs.

By dropping out, students put themselves at a higher risk for substance abuse and drug addiction problems, as well as a host of other problems. Without a high school diploma, young adults will not be able to get as good of a job as they would if they had stayed in school. This puts them at a higher risk for being in poverty and not having health insurance. Combine that with a drug problem, and it's a pretty dark road to travel down.

Dropouts & Smoking, Alcohol Abuse

In addition to having a higher rate of becoming drug addicts, high school dropouts are also more likely to smoke tobacco and drink alcohol. Both of these habits can put them at risk for a large number of health problems, including heart disease, lung cancer, liver cirrhosis, and ultimately an early death. Studies have shown that high school dropouts are twice as likely to smoke tobacco than students that graduate. Smoking tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the nation.

In addition, 42 percent of high school dropouts drink alcohol, and 33 percent of them binge drink. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks within a two-hour period, and most people who binge drink usually drink much more than that. Out of the students that graduate, 35 percent of them drink alcohol, and one quarter of them binge drink. These numbers are still quite high, although significantly lower than the dropout population.

The US government released these figures in hopes that communities across the nation will develop better programs and strategies to keep kids in school. Roughly one in seven Americans drop out of high school, putting them at a higher risk for drug addiction, alcoholism, and a large number of other problems. Ultimately, students who drop out affect the entire public health. By staying in school, they will have a much better chance of leading happier, healthier and more productive lives.

Many students develop alcohol and drug problems before dropping out of high school, which may contribute to their leaving. By incorporating drug and alcohol awareness programs into the schools at an early age, the entire US population can have a better chance of keeping kids in school and hopefully far away from becoming drug addicts and alcoholics. For troubled youths and for anyone out there with substance abuse issues, there is help. There are thousands of drug treatment centers and support programs around the country, and it's never too early to get involved.