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-Alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco, are most commonly used.
-About 2/3 of students in 12th grade have tried alcohol.
-About half of high school students reported to trying marijuana.
-About 4 in 10 students in high school reported to try cigarettes.
-In 12th grade, around 2 in 10 students report to using prescription medicine without having a condition.
-People from the ages of 12-20 drinks about 1/10 of all alcohol in America.
-These substances can affect brain development.
-Esrly drug use can cause dangerous situations as in drunk driving, unprotected sex, influencing actions on others, and more
The earlier kids start doing these drugs, the more addicted they get, and more troubles caused in the future.

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-Teens justify using drugs as an experiment
-More than 27% of high-schoolers have used illicit drugs in the past year.
-They said, teenagers neurologically are more likely to engage in risky behaviors.
-Early drug and alcohol use determines great risks in the future.
-Drugs could go through your bloodstream causing that feeling and gets carried to your organs.
-Drugs enter the brain, effecting the chemical "Dopamine".

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It is for this reason that adolescence is considered the most critical window for learning. The brain is still malleable, and highly capable of absorbing new things. As seen in the example above, knowledge that is obtained and emphasized from ages 13 to 25 will be strengthened and retained for the future. However, knowledge that is not utilized will dissipate. As a parent, it is important to ensure your teen is gaining positive learning experiences, because what he or she learns now will shape his/her success down the road.

Not only is the teenage brain going through major developmental changes, it is also unique in its level of maturity and capability. The frontal lobe of the brain - the brain's thinking center, which is responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, judgement, and self-control - is not fully mature in adolescence. In fact, this lobe is the last to mature, and does not usually happen until age 25. That said, teenagers neurologically are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. You may have noticed your teen has:

Difficulty controlling or holding back his/her emotions

An inclination towards high-excitement, yet low-effort activities

More impulsive and risky behaviors (e.g. drinking and drug use)

Poor planning and judgment (e.g. rarely thinking of negative outcomes)

Because the parts of the brain dedicated to judgement, rational decision-making, and self-control are not yet fully developed, teenagers have a higher propensity to experiment with drugs and alcohol. And because of their stage of brain development, they do not always understand the potential risks. The problem is, early drug and alcohol use in adolescence and young adulthood bears the greatest risks, particularly the risk of chronic addiction. More on that in a minute.

Dopamine is the chemical in our brains that allows us to experience pleasure or feel good. It reinforces reward. For example, when we eat food, dopamine is released - telling us that food makes us feel good, and that we must continue to eat to feel satisfied and to survive. But when drugs enter the brain, they release an excessive amount of dopamine and overload the body with pleasurable feelings. The human brain, at any stage of development, is wired so that we repeat activities associated with great pleasure and reward. It is wired to feel as though these pleasurable activities are life-sustaining. Because teenagers have a greater tendency to seek pleasurable activities already (and a reduced ability to measure the consequences), they are highly vulnerable to the temptations of drug and alcohol .

The impact of addiction on the teenage brain is great, in that long-term substance use can cause long-term issues with memory, learning, attention, coordination, and even IQ levels. According to , youth who drink heavily (20 drinks per month) or binge drink (more than 4-5 drinks in one occasion) show abnormalities in their brain structure volume, white matter quality, and activation of cognitive tasks involving attention, memory, spatial recognition, and executive functioning.

As cited in our article, 5 Things to Know About Drugs and Teen Brain Development, teenagers who begin using any addictive substance before age 18 are 6.5 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder. Those who start drinking before age 15 are 4 times more likely to become addicted than those who start at age 20 or later. 9 out of 10 people with substance addictions first begin using before they turned 18. The risk of substance addiction is highest for those who start using before their brain is fully developed.

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How Do Drugs Affect the Brain of a Teenager? | Turnbridge

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It is for this reason that adolescence is considered the most critical window for learning. The brain is still malleable, and highly capable of absorbing new things. As seen in the example above, knowledge that is obtained and emphasized from ages 13 to 25 will be strengthened and retained for the future.

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Main Reasons why Teens use Drugs
-An attempt to fit in
-to feel good
-To feel better
-Experimentation
-Competition
-Attention
-Lack of education
-Addiction

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Adolescence can be a time of making irrational, impulsive decisions. It can be a time of living in the now, without consideration for the consequences that may follow. As a result, it is a time in which many teens try drugs and alcohol for the first-time. The average age of substance use initiation is between 13 and 14 years old, in seventh and eighth grade, before one even enters high school.

This is a harrowing reality to face. It is difficult to believe that our youth are developing dangerous, addictive habits at such an early age, especially right under our nose. We want to believe it is just a phase. We want to blame experimentation, or the other kids at school for our children's early drug use. The last thing we want to uncover is that our children are in danger, or that this substance use is something our sons and daughters have brought upon themselves.

Sometimes, though, it is. As parents and educators, it is crucial that we uncover the root of drug use in teens and young adults as soon as it starts to grow. In order to prevent deep-seated drug habits later on in our children's lives, we have to take action now. We have to ask questions. We have to understand the problem at hand. We have to have some insight into if, and how badly, this problem could progress.

If you have just discovered your teen may have a drug problem, the first thing you should do is step back and analyze the situation. Have you found contraband in his or her room? Have you learned that your teen is coming home past curfew, skipping school, or ignoring previous priorities? While these are all apparent signs of drug addiction, they do not reveal the bigger picture of your teen's drug problem. You must now ask questions. In order to find a solution to your teen's drug use, you must grasp the feelings, pressures, and dynamics that lay beneath it.

There are many reasons that teens and young adults get involved with drugs, and unfortunately, there are many instances in which the root of substance use goes much deeper than "experimentation." Consider the following reasons that adolescents and young adults use drugs.

In attempt to fit in: Making friends and establishing oneself at school can be difficult for adolescents. The teenage years often come with many insecurities, low self-esteem, and fear of not being accepted. In order to fit in, to feel "cool," or join an older, more seductive social circle, many teens will start buying and using drugs.

To feel good: Many adolescents abuse drugs or alcohol to get high. They are looking for a thrill, an intensified feeling that they cannot obtain through simple pleasures like food or exercise. This is where the addiction cycle starts to kick in. Drugs interact with the way our brain produces, and the way our body experiences, pleasure. When drugs are used, the brain creates up to ten times the normal amount of dopamine and euphoria a person should experience. It is unnatural chemistry that takes place, but our brain remembers it. It craves it.

To feel better: There is the desire to feel good and there is the need to feel better. These are two very distinct entities when evaluating teen drug use. Teens looking to "feel better" are in truth, self-medicating. They are battling something deeper than peer pressure or a failed homework assignment. Some adolescents are suffering from deep-seated conditions like depression, social anxiety, and stress-related disorders. They use drugs to forget or replace their negative feelings with substance-induced pleasure.

Experimentation: The brain does not finish developing until the age of 25. The last part of the brain to develop is the one that controls rational decision making, self-control, and judgment, making adolescents more prone to trying risky and daring activities. Drugs and alcohol are often easy, accessible outlets for experimentation that can severely impact the developing teenage brain.

Competition: The need to perform, to impress, and to make proud is a great pressure for adolescents and young adults. Whether in school or on the field, young people consistently want to prove they are the best to their peers and parents. The competition to be outstanding, however, can be intense. In academics, for example, teens and young adults often rely on the misuse of prescription stimulants as "smart drugs" or study aids to improve academic performance.

Attention: Teens often experience a lack of purpose or talent. They feel like they are not good enough to shine or are lacking something to make them special. These feelings may drive them toward substance abuse. Some youth do not know how to become the best, so they choose to become the worst in hopes of getting their parents' and teachers' undivided attention.

Lack of education: Some adolescents and young adults grow up thinking drug and alcohol use is normal. Their favorite musicians are singing about it, the movies are glamorizing it, the TV ads are selling it. Whether you are sad, can't sleep, or have a headache, there is a drug for you. Our culture has adopted the "pill cures all" mentality, leading our youth to feel the same about drugs. Many do not understand the consequences of drug use. Many teens do not know how it can harm their minds, bodies, and relationships. They need proper education. They need someone to tell them the truth about drugs and alcohol.

Addiction: Some teens and young adults are stuck amongst the cycle. At such a young age, they are more vulnerable to developing dependence and addiction. They get in over their heads at an early age and do not know how to get out. They need you to extend a hand. They need us.

For more on teen drug prevention, or to understand the cause of your teen's drug use, call Turnbridge today at 877-581-1793.

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8 Reasons Why Teens Use Drugs | Turnbridge

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Adolescence can be a time of making irrational, impulsive decisions. It can be a time of living in the now, without consideration for the consequences that may follow. As a result, it is a time in which many teens try drugs and alcohol for the first-time.

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Youth drug abuse is a high-profile public health concern, with at least 1-in-8 teenagers abusing an illicit substance in the last year.

Key Findings

Substance Abuse Among Youth

Early drug abuse corelates with substance abuse problems later in life, and the most significant increases in destructive behavior appear to take place among older teens and young adults.

2.08 million or 8.33% of 12- to 17-year-olds nationwide report using drugs in the last month.

Among them, 83.88% report using marijuana in the last month.

591,000 teenagers aged 12- to 17-years-old used an illicit drug other than marijuana in the last month.

8.7% of 8th graders have used illicit drugs in the last month.

21.3% of 8th graders have tried illicit drugs at least once.

By the time they're in 12th grade, 46.6% of teens have tried illicit drugs.

11.89 million 18- to 25-year-olds used drugs in the last month.

4,777 Americans aged 15 to 24 years old died of an overdose of illicit drugs in one year.

11.2% of overdose deaths are aged 15 to 24 years.

Youth Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol is by far the most commonly abused substance among teens and young adults.

1.19 million 12- to 17-year-olds report binge drinking in the last month.

11.72 million 18- to 25-year-olds report binge drinking in the last month.

7.10 million 12- to 20-year-olds report drinking in the last month.

Among them, 60.2% report binge drinking during that period.

25.6% of 8th graders have abused alcohol at least once.

61.5% of teens have abused alcohol by 12th grade.

9.15% of all 12- to 17-year-olds used alcohol in the last month.

2.7% of 12th graders drink daily.

16.8% of 12th graders have 5+ drinks in a row when consuming alcohol.

0.4% of 8th graders drink daily; by 10th grade, 1.0% drink daily.

407,000 teenagers aged 12- to 17-years-old met the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the last year.

Youth Drug Abuse

Youth drug abuse trends may provide clues about the future public health as well as the efficacy of educational initiatives.

12.78% of all 12- to 17-year-olds report using marijuana in the last year.

0.42% of all 12- to 17-year-olds report using cocaine in the last year.

0.17% report using methamphetamines.

0.02% used heroin.

2.52% report misusing pain relievers.

788,000 teenagers aged 12- to 17-years-old met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD).

This age group is nearly twice as likely to suffer from IDUD than they are to meet the criteria for AUD.

7.0% of 12th graders have abused tranquilizers.

7.5% have abused hallucinogens.

5.9% have used LSD.

Marijuana Abuse

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illicit substances among youth.

6.9% of 12th graders use marijuana daily.

43.7% have tried marijuana in their lifetime.

35.2% consumed marijuana in the last year.

2.4% used synthetic marijuana, also known as K2 or Spice, in the last year.

62.8% of 12th graders who used marijuana in the last year consumed marijuana via vaping.

12th graders are 82.1% more likely to use marijuana in their lifetime than they are to smoke a cigarette.

Opioid Abuse

Opioid abuse is considered a national public health emergency.

Overdose deaths due to opioids have increased 500% among 15- to 24-year-olds since 1999.

In the 21st Century, opioid-related OD deaths among this age group increased by as much as 30.7% annually.

High school students who legitimately use prescription opioids are 33% more likely to misuse opioids after high school.

5.3% of 12th graders have abused opioids other than heroin at least once.

0.4% of 12th graders have abused heroin.

In the past year, 2.4% of 12th graders abused OxyContin while 1.2% abused Vicodin.

For more information about opioids and overdose deaths, see our reports on Fentanyl Abuse and Drug Overdose Death Rates.

Stimulant Abuse

Youth are more likely to abuse prescription stimulants than they are to abuse cocaine or amphetamines.

5.0% of 12- to 17-year-olds report using cocaine in the last year.

8.9% of 8th graders have tried amphetamines in their lifetime.

1.1% have tried methamphetamine.

8th graders in 2020 are 56.1% more likely than 2017's 8th graders to have tried amphetamines.

1.6% of 12th graders have used crack cocaine at least once.

In the past year, 4.4% of 12th graders have used Adderall while 4.3% have used amphetamine.

1.7% have used Ritalin while 1.4% used methamphetamine.

Youth Drug Abuse by State

Alcohol and marijuana are the substances most commonly used among youth; note that data regarding less popular drugs may be limited.

Youth living in western states and New England are the most likely to have abused drugs in the last four weeks.

12- to 17-year-olds in the District of Columbia are the most lkely to use harder drugs and to suffer from IDUD.

12- to 17-year-olds in D.C. are also the most likely to suffer from AUD.

Among states, Montana youth are the most likely to suffer from AUD; Vermont youth are the most likely to meet the criteria for IDUD.

18- to 25-year-olds in Vermont are 60.1% more likely to abuse alcohol than the nationwide average for that age group.

Youth in Nevada are 175% more likely to meet the criteria for IDUD than they are to suffer from AUD.

* Percentage of teens who report drug use in the last month, and percentage of teens who report alcohol use in the last year, respectively.

Alabama

Teenagers in Alabama are 16.10% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Alaska

Teenagers in Alaska are 25.67% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Arizona

Teenagers in Arizona are 9.05% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Arkansas

Teenagers in Arkansas are 24.84% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

California

Teenagers in California are 24.46% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Colorado

Teenagers in Colorado are 37.40% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Connecticut

Teenagers in Connecticut are 7.47% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Delaware

Teenagers in Delaware are 20.71% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

District of Columbia

Teenagers in the District of Columbia are 11.94% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Florida

Teenagers in Florida are 5.50% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Georgia

Teenagers in Georgia are 19.01% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Hawaii

Teenagers in Hawaii are 11.64% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Idaho

Teenagers in Idaho are 7.98% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Illinois

Teenagers in Illinois are 4.29% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Indiana

Teenagers in Indiana are 2.11% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Iowa

Teenagers in Iowa are 8.05% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Kansas

Teenagers in Kansas are 19.51% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Kentucky

Teenagers in Kentucky are 15.60% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Louisiana

Teenagers in Louisiana are 23.76% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Maine

Teenagers in Maine are 47.44% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Maryland

Teenagers in Maryland are 1.71% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Massachusetts

Teenagers in Massachusetts are 33.37% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Michigan

Teenagers in Michigan are 6.95% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Minnesota

Teenagers in Minnesota are 2.14% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Mississippi

Teenagers in Mississippi are 21.23% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Missouri

Teenagers in Missouri are 10.39% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Montana

Teenagers in Montana are 39.58% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Nebraska

Teenagers in Nebraska are 1.89% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Nevada

Teenagers in Nevada are 22.98% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

New Hampshire

Teenagers in New Hampshire are 27.56% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

New Jersey

Teenagers in New Jersey are 7.49% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

New Mexico

Teenagers in New Mexico are 37.04% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

New York

Teenagers in New York are 0.25% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

North Carolina

Teenagers in North Carolina are 2.23% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

North Dakota

Teenagers in North Dakota are 34.92% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Ohio

Teenagers in Ohio are 4.19% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Oklahoma

Teenagers in Oklahoma are 10.10% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Oregon

Teenagers in Oregon are 37.62% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Pennsylvania

Teenagers in Pennsylvania are 13.33% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Rhode Island

Teenagers in Rhode Island are 15.71% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

South Carolina

Teenagers in South Carolina are 2.69% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

South Dakota

Teenagers in South Dakota are 14.91% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Tennessee

Teenagers in Tennessee are 18.64% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Texas

Teenagers in Texas are 15.18% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Utah

Teenagers in Utah are 28.16% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Vermont

Teenagers in Vermont are 75.83% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Virginia

Teenagers in Virginia are 16.46% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Washington

Teenagers in Washington are 33.36% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

West Virginia

Teenagers in West Virginia are 5.43% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Wisconsin

Teenagers in Wisconsin are 0.05% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Wyoming

Teenagers in Wyoming are 5.08% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Sources

1. Anne E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Center

2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Surveys on Drug Use and Health

3. SAMHSA, Overdose Death Rates

4. National Institutes of Health National Institute on Drug Abuse, Monitoring the Future Study

5. Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Prescription Opioids in Adolescence and Future Opioid Misuse

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Teenage Drug Use Statistics [2022]: Data & Trends on Abuse

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Youth drug abuse is a high-profile public health concern, with at least 1-in-8 teenagers abusing an illicit substance in the last year. Early drug abuse corelates with substance abuse problems later in life, and the most significant increases in destructive behavior appear to take place among older teens and young adults.

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Researchers are studying whether medical marijuana can help treat a number of conditions including:

But it's not yet proven to help many of these conditions, with a few exceptions, Bonn-Miller says.

"The greatest amount of evidence for the therapeutic effects of cannabis relate to its ability to reduce chronic pain, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, and spasticity [tight or stiff muscles] from MS," Bonn-Miller says.

Cannabinoids -- the active chemicals in medical marijuana -- are similar to chemicals the body makes that are involved in appetite, memory, movement, and pain.

Limited research suggests cannabinoids might:

Reduce anxiety

Reduce inflammation and relieve pain

Control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy

Kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth

Relax tight muscles in people with MS

Stimulate appetite and improve weight gain in people with cancer and AIDS

Medical marijuana received a lot of attention a few years ago when parents said that a special form of the drug helped control seizures in their children. The FDA recently approved Epidiolex, which is made from CBD, as a therapy for people with very severe or hard-to-treat seizures. In studies, some people had a dramatic drop in seizures after taking this drug.

The cannabidiol Epidiolex was approved in 2018 for treating seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. In addition, the FDA has approved two man-made cannabinoid medicines -- dronabinol ( Marinol, Syndros) and nabilone ( Cesamet) -- to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.

To take medical marijuana, you can:

Smoke it

Inhale it through a device called a vaporizer that turns it into a mist

Eat it -- for example, in a brownie or lollipop

Apply it to your skin in a lotion, spray, oil, or cream

Place a few drops of a liquid under your tongue

How you take it is up to you. Each method works differently in your body. "If you smoke or vaporize cannabis, you feel the effects very quickly," Bonn-Miller says. "If you eat it, it takes significantly longer. It can take 1 to 2 hours to experience the effects from edible products."

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WebMD shows you how medical marijuana works where it's legal, what it's used for and what side effects it might cause.

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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I decided to choose my topic because its something happening everyday, most kids are always nearly around it, and the main part, its teens, they could be our friends. These kids need to be reached and need help before it gets worse. What intrigues me about this topic is that I am learning new things about my surroundings. This meaning that its more common that I thought, and the effects are more hurtful than I thought as well. One fact I have learned that was really shocking to me was that about half of kids in high school reported ever having used marijuana. Some things I will need to know for my research are the risks, affects, the exact age where kids start using any substance, and how they are when they are older.

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I feel confident and pretty good about the research I have so far. All the three articles talk about something different about the types of substances, difference with drinking and drugs, how their childhood lead to teens using drugs, and how it affects the brain. All the three articles go in depth. One gap in my research is trying to fiknd what made some teens stop using drugs, or if any have stopped at all. Other than that, I am fully understanding my topics. In my opinion, there is nothing confusing in my research so far and I have not found any problems! One idea supporting one of the rhetorical stragities is that I can convince the audience how teens have felt during their hard times. Maybe their is a backstroy behind these kids and they are being judged because of the drugs. Also, using some similar stories that have happened in my life.

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Some ideas I have to organize my information is to first, ask a question before my speech. A type of question asking like if you know someone who uses drugs, do they influence you, have they pressured you into trying any substances, and are they addicted. I want the audience to think about those people to get some sort of idea about how their feeling. Then I will ask, how early did they start and why did they start. Later on, go on with my topic and state facts. Some background information I can include are giving examples of someone and how it affected them in the future. Also, giving definitions of specific drugs or the exact age range. To give credit to the author or website, instead of using MLA citation speaking, I can just say, "....from this website" or "This website/author says..". For my introduction, I can start off with a question, but not a simple question. I want a critical thinking question for my audience to get them to think deeply. I feel like I may need around 5 paragraphs. I will use my appeals towards the middle of my paragraph then use Ethos in the end.