What Makes You, You? High school is about discovering yourself, your likes and dislikes, your morals and your interests. Finding who you are is extremely important as long as you do it in a positive way. According to Substance Abuse, Addiction and Treatment, “7 in 10 adolescents aged 12 to 17 have used illegal substances” (21). Adolescent substance abuse is a public health problem and must be addressed as early as possible to avoid the many long-term problems that arise from it. A developmental stage specific to adolescents puts them at high risk for substance dependence because the average person is not fully aware. develops until the age of 25. According to the Foundation for Addiction Science and Management, “adolescents are prone to impulsive behavior and, more than any other age group, are at risk for substance abuse.” So can we really blame teenagers for their tendency toward substance abuse? Some researchers agree that they are not entirely responsible for all of their choices because, in reality, their brains cannot think about long-term effects like a fully developed adult brain can. Substance for adolescents ...