ed and rebellious teenager, drug use may appear to be something which separates them from their past self-identity, and gives them new status as members of a special group. Peer pressure serves to further compound this problem. In fact, a recent survey of young students found that approximately thirty percent claimed that the main reason teenagers turn to drugs is "to fit in" (Johnston, 1987, p. 58). The need to be part of a unique group often leads teenagers into other dangerous areas in addition to drug use, such as satanism, sexual experimentation, and gang involvement. Depression and suicidal tendencies may also characterize the growth process.
The easy availability of drugs such as crack cocaine compounds the problems of adolescence, and many young people who are having difficulty making the transition to adulthood turn to drugs as a source of relief. Drug use can also come about because of a conflict of values. Rushworth M. Kidder has noted that the drug problem is largely "about a failure of self-worth, respect for others, sense of purpose, and the meaningfulness of life" (Kidder, 1989, p. A9). Today's young people are well aware of the hypocrisy inherent in our society, and this may give them a sense of frustration and hopelessness. Kidder states that the lack of values in adult society presents adolescents with "crucial, gut-level concerns. You can't feel good about yourself without beginning to sort them out and separate the right from the wrong. Failing to sort them out, you turn to something else to make you feel good - like drugs" (p. A9).
The use of hard drugs like cocaine and heroin has become quite prevalent in recent years. Recent statistics on cocaine use state that 25 million Americans have tried the drug at least once; 861,000 admit to using it on a frequent basis, and 292,000 say they use it daily (Gold, 1990, p. 6). Many of these cocaine users are very young. Furthermore, adolescent drug abuse is ...