Understanding the Risks of Drugs, Alcohol & Gangs
Prevention Education
Every day, youth across the country are exposed to drugs, alcohol, and gang influence—often before they even know the risks. At Art Not Drugs (AND), we believe that knowledge is the first step toward prevention. This post is for parents, educators, mentors, and youth who want to stay informed and stay safe.
The Reality: Up-to-Date Statistics
🔹 Drug Use in Youth
Over 50% of teens have misused a drug at least once by the time they finish high school.
[Source: National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (2024)]Fentanyl overdose is now the leading cause of death for people aged 18–45 in the U.S.
1 in 5 high school students report using prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
The average age of first drug use is now 13–14 years old.
🔹 Alcohol Abuse
11% of all alcohol consumed in the U.S. is by people aged 12–20.
Youth who start drinking before age 15 are 4x more likely to become addicted as adults.
Binge drinking contributes to poor academic performance, car accidents, and unsafe sexual behavior.
🔹 Gangs & Violence
There are over 30,000 gangs and over 1 million gang members in the United States.
[Source: FBI Gang Threat Assessment 2023]Youth aged 12 to 17 are the fastest-growing demographic being recruited into gangs.
Gangs often use social media and music to glorify gang life and lure vulnerable teens.
Gang members are 60% more likely to drop out of school and be incarcerated.
What Does This Look Like in Real Life?
At AND, we’ve worked with students who were introduced to drugs in middle school. Some were offered pills at the bus stop. Others joined gangs looking for “family” because of problems at home. One young man told us, “I didn’t even know what fentanyl was until it almost killed my cousin.”
These are not rare stories—they're everyday realities for the youth in our communities.
How Can Families & Communities Respond?
✅ Talk Early. Talk Often.
Start honest conversations about drugs and peer pressure as early as 10 years old. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
✅ Know the Signs.
Look for changes in behavior, secretive actions, loss of interest in activities, or sudden new “friends.”
✅ Create Safe Spaces.
Youth are more likely to resist dangerous influences when they have outlets—like art, sports, or mentorship.
✅ Partner with Prevention Programs.
Nonprofits like AND offer community murals, creative expression workshops, and age-appropriate prevention classes.
We believe every young person deserves a chance to thrive—and that begins with education.
📢 Want to Get Involved?
Donate: Help us reach more youth with our prevention workshops.
Volunteer: Share your skills as a mentor, artist, or teacher.
Spread the Word: Share this post with someone who needs it.
🖤 #ArtNotDrugs #YouthPrevention #GangAwareness #DrugEducation