Recently, a distraught mother called me in tears to share her anguish. Her daughter is only 13 years old, yet already involved in romantic relationships—and, in the mother’s view, showing signs of drug use. The girl has vomited and fainted twice in the school restroom. Lately, at times during the day, she seems absent-minded and detached, unfocused, with a dull, unfixed gaze. There are cuts on her arms, and her speech is slurred. When asked if anything is wrong, she insists she is “fine,” then reacts irritably, rejecting her mother’s care and concern.
This mother’s painful account of a child navigating adolescence in today’s society reflects a deeply troubling issue facing many parents—especially those who, for whatever reason, are not closely attuned to their children’s daily lives. For this reason, when addressing addiction, I am not speaking only about adult substance abuse, but placing particular emphasis on young people. My hope is that parents recognize the dangers awaiting their children—not only out in society, but even within school grounds and, at times, within their own homes.
OVERVIEW
Deaths caused by marijuana and drugs are a major public health concern. In the United States alone, statistics show that roughly 100,000 people die each year from addictive substances, broadly referred to as opioids—natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic drugs such as fentanyl. From 1999 to 2020, nearly one million people in the U.S. died from drug addiction, with more than half of those deaths attributed to fentanyl.
In today’s era, addiction has taken on new forms, and its consequences extend beyond individual harm to threaten the future of an entire nation. On December 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order describing fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction.” No bomb or weapon has caused devastation on this scale. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl—an almost undetectable amount equivalent to 10–15 grains of salt—is enough to kill. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died from overdoses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 80,000 Americans died in 2024 alone.
Addiction is one of the four classic social vices, traditionally known as the “Four Ruins”: alcohol abuse, gambling, sexual excess, and drug addiction. In Vietnamese society, drug abuse appeared long ago, initially among the wealthy, landowners, and bureaucratic classes. After ascending the throne in 1820, Emperor Minh Mạng issued a ban on opium, calling it “a poisonous substance brought from abroad; idle and lawless people begin using it as a fashionable indulgence, then it becomes a habit, and once addicted, it cannot be abandoned…”
As a disease, however, addiction spreads widely and infiltrates even the poorest segments of society. As of April 2025, Vietnam reported 369,359 individuals who are drug addicts, illegal drug users, suspected drug users, or individuals under post-rehabilitation management. Nationwide, there are 228 high-risk drug-related areas, one especially complex drug hotspot, 4,591 retail drug dealers, and 3,200 locations considered at risk for drug activity. [1]
WARNING SIGNS
The following are common signs of marijuana or drug use:
- Lethargy
- Slurred or garbled speech
- Poor coordination
- Inconsistent behavior or mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating and thinking
- Memory lapses
- Dull or glassy eyes
- Poor impulse control
Addiction also affects physical and mental health, contributing to lung disease, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and various psychiatric disorders.
ADOLESCENTS
Marijuana is the most commonly used drug among young people. Approximately 21–30% of 12th graders reported using it in the past year. In addition, about 6% of 8th graders and 15% of 10th graders reported use in 2022. Notably, girls in this group use drugs more than boys. By race, children of color report higher usage rates than White or Hispanic/Latino youth.
1) Effects on Adolescents
Using marijuana or drugs—especially during adolescence—can disrupt brain development, leading to memory problems, poor academic performance, attention deficits, and long-term mental health issues. Ultimately, addiction itself is the most severe outcome.
Cognitive ability: Impaired thinking, memory, learning, and attention. Academic performance and problem-solving skills decline, with potential long-term cognitive damage even after stopping drug use.
Education: Poor academic achievement, declining grades, increased truancy, higher dropout rates, and fewer opportunities for college enrollment.
Addiction: Adolescents are 4–7 times more likely than adults to develop addiction and associated psychiatric disorders.
Hospitalization: Youth ages 12–24 are hospitalized for marijuana and drug use more often than for other addictive substances.
Behavior: Loss of emotional control, difficulty focusing, irritability, aggression, and a higher risk of psychological and psychiatric disorders.
Physical health: Potential harm to lung and heart development, increased risk of cancer and stroke.
Accidents: Higher risk of traffic accidents, sexual violence, and other legal problems.
2) How Youth Begin Using Drugs
Some children begin experimenting with marijuana or drugs during periods of transition—moving to a new home, changing schools, entering a new school environment, reaching puberty, or living in families affected by divorce or parental addiction. In emotionally unstable, stressful, or anxious environments, young people are more easily tempted or pressured into trying drugs as a way to escape feelings of insecurity, family conflict, peer pressure, psychological distress, or low self-confidence.
In summary, adolescent drug use can stem from many factors: genetics, psychology, environment, peer influence, social pressures, personal struggles, family crises, and mental health conditions. Which factor is strongest varies from one individual to another.
HIGHLY ADDICTIVE DRUGS
In 1997, former Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Dr. Alan Leshner, defined addiction as “a chronic, relapsing disease of the brain,” and therefore a brain disorder.
In general terms, addiction is psychological and physical dependence on substances that compel continued use despite knowing the harmful consequences.
According to Jessica Sherer, the following are among the five most addictive substances: [2]
1. Cocaine
Research shows that cocaine is among the most addictive substances due to its powerful effects on the brain. As a stimulant, it can produce intense euphoria, increased energy, and heightened focus, but it can also cause paranoia, fear, and instability. Psychologically, cocaine use often leads to social withdrawal, isolation, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion—driving users to continue using the drug just to feel “normal.”
In the United States, an estimated 1.4 million people are addicted to cocaine.
2. Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine causes severe physical, psychological, and psychiatric damage. Initially, it may create feelings of pleasure, alertness, talkativeness, and confidence. However, overdose can lead to paranoia, psychosis, and violent behavior. Psychologically, it induces anxiety, depression, delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. Physically, it increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease, heart rhythm disorders, hypertension, and many other illnesses. Dependence develops quickly, leading to addiction.
In the U.S., approximately 1.6 million people aged 12 and older are addicted to methamphetamine.
3. Opioids
Opioids are commonly prescribed painkillers. When misused—especially heroin and fentanyl—they become extremely dangerous. An estimated 107,000 people died from overdoses in 2021 alone.
Their greatest danger lies in how rapidly they cause dependence. In the U.S., about 2.7 million people aged 12 and older suffer from opioid addiction.
4. Alcohol
Alcohol is the most common form of addiction. It affects adults and youth alike, men and women. In 2024, about 10.3% of U.S. adults—approximately 27.1 million people—were reported to have alcohol use disorder. Among youth aged 12–17, 14.6% of boys and 18.2% of girls reported drinking alcohol in the past year.
5. Nicotine
Nicotine is a stimulant that temporarily increases dopamine release in the brain, affecting neural pathways related to dependence. Users may feel relaxed, happy, alert, and more focused. Physically, nicotine raises heart rate and blood pressure, accelerates breathing, suppresses appetite, and can cause nausea, dizziness, and headaches.
Psychological dependence reflects an emotional need for substances—or behaviors such as gambling or shopping—to feel normal, cope with stress, or seek pleasure.
In the U.S., about 23.6 million people aged 12 and older are addicted to nicotine.
DEATHS FROM DRUG OVERDOSE
Below are overdose death percentages by substance. When multiple drugs are used together, the death rate is even higher: [3]
| Substance | Percentage of Deaths |
|---|---|
| Opioids | 76% |
| Psychostimulants | 33% |
| Cocaine | 28% |
| Heroin | 4% |
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
If you are struggling with addiction to any substance, the first essential step is recognizing the danger and making a firm decision to stop.
Effective treatment involves listening to advice from family and friends, seeking help from rehabilitation centers, or accessing online resources. If possible, consult a professional addiction treatment clinic.
For young people, prevention remains the most effective and necessary approach. Prevention depends heavily on education and family influence. Research shows that children of addicted parents are significantly affected—not to mention genetic factors.
Equally important is the time parents spend with their children, especially during early adolescence and puberty. Many parents later express regret for neglecting this critical period. By the time peer pressure and social influences lead children into substance use, families are often left scrambling for treatment. While some recover, many endure deeply troubled youth and become a burden to their families and society.
In short, “prevention is better than cure” is the most effective, least costly, and most essential approach for parents concerned about the temptations surrounding their children—especially marijuana and drugs.
— Trần Mỹ Duyệt, PhD in Psychology-
Sources:
1. https://baovephapluat.vn/phong-chong-toi-pham-ma-tuy/den-thang-4-2025-toan-quoc-co-369-359-nguoi-nghien-ma-tuy-178275.html
2. https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/these-are-the-5-most-addictive-substances-on-earth/