Heroin

Injection drug use (IDU) is known to be a major health concern for the United States. Plenty of studies have revealed to predict the negative impact Heroin has on adolescence concerning school problems and academic failing. However, the significance of each finding where hypothesized with the lack of information in the literature. The behavior and academic school play an important role in adolescence lifestyle, especially dealing with the use of Heroin. Some studies have displayed a strong correlation between high-school drop out and Heroin use.

The method of study conducted was to examine neuropsyhcological and social behavior risk factors of HIV, and non-injection drug users in Baltimore, Maryland. The design of study is cross sectional, and participants had to complete the HIV-Risk Behavior Inventory. The sample of the case study included 404 adults living in Baltimore, Maryland. "All study participants reported having heroin in their lifetime, 79% reported having injected heroin in the past 6 months, and 72% reported inject Heroin in the month prior to the assessment" (Trenz, Harrell, Schere, et al., 2012). The study measures four separate groups, which includes, school problems, academic failure, alcohol initiation, frequency of recent Heroin use, and demographics.

Adolescence first heroin injection was positively correlated with alcohol. However, the daily Heroin users demonstrated a negative correlation related to alcohol. The result showed an early stage of alcohol use will indicate a better risk of injection of heroin, abuse, and dependency. Academic failure was related to frequency of heroin use. Adolescence using alcohol and heroin, the finding suggest at risk- adolescents with school related problems and academic complications.

There were multiple of limitations concerning the study. Injection drug use (IDU) can interact with several of other environmental causes besides school and alcohol. The research should suggest performing a longitudinal study instead of cross-sectional.

Trenz, R.C., Harrell, P., Scherer, M., B>B., & Latmer, W.W. (2012).  A Model of School Problems, Academic Failure, Alcohol Initiation, and the Relationship to Adult Heroin Injection. Substance Use & Misuse, 47(10), 1159-1171. doi: 10.3109/10826084.2012.686242