2019 February Pilot

Pilot Volume 25 Issue 3 February 2019

By Samantha Xu

Society

Drugs and the Teenage Brain

By Mercedes Rzepkowski

According to Ashwood Recovery, in 2017, 61.5% of 12th graders had experimented with alcohol and 45% had used marijuana. The same source states that among 10th graders 52.2% experimented with alcohol, and 37% have used marijuana. From 8th grade and beyond, the percentage of teens using drugs increases.

Not only is the use of drugs increasing, so are opinions about if it’s okay. In 1991, 31.3% of high school seniors approved of someone using marijuana. In 2017, this increased to 61%. That is a large increase, and one might ask: What causes addiction? How do drugs affect the teenage brain?

When someone smokes marijuana or drinks alcohol, the brain acknowledges this as a pleasurable experience and releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine.

This causes the person to be in a heightened state or have a better mood, which is known as a ”high.”

This is only one way drugs can affect the brain. Drugs can also affect the brain by causing addiction, a lower IQ, mental illness, and anxiety.

Addiction can be caused by different things including dopamine (mentioned before), but also by changes in the brain. According to the National Institute on Drug

Abuse, in 2018 “the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs” When someone is continually using drugs, their brain looks for a higher and higher amount of whatever drug it is that they are using. The brain is looking for that drug, and becomes dependent on it. Peer pressure often gets a person to initially try drugs and then other factors lead to addiction. Addiction can happen in a teenager more easily, because the prefrontal cortex is not fully developed. This part of the brain is what causes someone to weigh pros and cons and to think logically. Instead teens rely more on the limbic system which focuses more on rewards and emotions rather than logic. Also, if a teen has used the same drug a few times before, they know what the experience is like, and they look forward to the reward of the high rather than thinking about the consequences.

Overall, drug use in teens is on the rise, and the effects of it are detrimental to teens and their futures. Everyone can help to lower these rates and to stop drug use among teens. For instance, in mid-

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dle and high school health classes, teachers could stress the effects of drug use. Adults and parents could regularly check on teens and look for signs of drug use.

According to the Addition Center, some common signs of teen drug abuse include: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bad grades Bloodshot eyes Laughing for no reason Loss of interest in activities Poor hygiene Diminished personal appearance Avoiding eye contact Frequent hunger or “munchies” Smell of smoke on breath or clothes Secretive behavior Unusual tiredness Missing curfew

Teens can say no to their friends about doing drugs, because whatever time someone is going through will pass, but physical disabilities from drugs will not. Teens should also not be afraid to tell an adult if they suspect or know about drug use. Keeping that secret will not help anyone. If you know someone who is currently on drugs, tell someone who can get that person help.

Opinion

Global Warming

By Jamare McMurtry

If the earth could talk, what would it say? Probably something similar to what the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz said “I’m melting!” Global warming has been a growing issue over the last couple decades and not enough people are taking it seriously. This includes President Donald Trump who withdrew from the Paris Agreement on June 1, 2017. The goal of this agreement was to work toward reducing pollution and greenhouse gases in 2020. The United States is the second largest contributor to global warming behind China. In 2013, America was responsible for 17.89% of the greenhouse gas emissions, reported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Americans still help to reduce greenhouse gases and prevent global warming.

There are multiple ways to reduce the effect of harmful greenhouse gases. One is carpooling.

The cause of greenhouse gases is the carbon released from coal after it is burned and mixed with the oxygen in the air, creating carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acts like a greenhouse panel which increases the temperature when

provided with sunlight. According to CarTalk.com, “Burning one gallon of gas creates 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, and the average car emits about six tons of carbon dioxide every year.” If a group of friends were to carpool for an entire year, depending on the how many people the car can fit, it could reduce up to 30 tons of carbon monoxide.

According to the National Resource Defense Council, another way to slow down global warming is to decrease the consumption of power.

For instance, a plasma TV can use as much energy as a refrigerator. The energy used to run these appliances is generated through power plants than run on coal, wind, nuclear power, and other natural resources. Most importantly, coal is one resource used to generate electricity that damages

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our atmosphere. Simple things like turning the lights or tv off when they are not in use can be beneficial.

According to UpFront magazine from the New York Times, temperatures throughout the world are rising. An alarming all-time high of 124.3 degrees Fahrenheit was set in Ouargla, Algeria, Africa on July 13, 2018. How are humans able to handle that kind of heat? Some officials advised going to a local grocery store on hot days if one’s A/C does not work. Upfront magazine says that the temperature has been rising all over the globe--including Antarctica. Over the past years, the layer of permafrost on Antarctica's surface has begun to melt, and it is raising the sea level. Also, it is releasing the diseases and bacteria trapped in the layers of ice.

A drastic increase in greenhouse gases in the past 10 years has been observed by scientists, and they predict by 2036 global warming will be irreversible. Citizens need to make changes to how they conduct their lives. Everyone needs to conserve energy. We all play a part in the future of our planet. If we each take small steps to protect the earth, the outcome will be much better.

Government

Should the Voting Age be Lowered?

By Kylie Tremaine Many people wonder what it would be like if the voting age in the United States was lower or higher.

Would the age groups affect how an election could turn out? Would adults complain that teenagers are not capable of voting because of their lack of maturity? Currently, in order to vote, you must be an adult--this means that the person voting must be eighteen years of age or older. There are people that are fine with this age, but there are others who disagree and think that the voting age should be lowered to sixteen.

There are many reasons why some Americans would want to lower the voting age, including encouraging the younger generation to care more about the future of America. An article from Upfront magazine called “Should the Voting Age be Lowered?” shares that lawmakers in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island trying to lower the voting age to seventeen. But can someone that young make good judgments when voting in an election?” The answer to that question is, yes! By the time a minor turns sixteen or is within a year of that age, they are usually capa-

YES! ble of using pros and cons to decide what makes something good or bad. Because of the era that current American teenagers live in, they are going to be strong-minded about the way some of the laws are handled.

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For instance, two of today’s biggest worries are shootings (especially school shootings) and terrorism. On February 14, 2018, a young man went into his former high school (Stoneman Douglas High School) and started to shoot a great handful of people. This is a topic that students feel passionate about.

Teenagers should have a choice to vote for a politician who is going to enforce laws about shootings and about other issues that affect them, because they are the future of this country. On top of that, allowing teens to vote would also prepare teenagers to be more aware of what the world is like.

Government

No! While some Americans want the voting age to be lowered, others do not necessarily agree with that idea.

Upfront magazine from the New York Times also gives the readers some insight about why the voting age should not be lowered. While teens are increasingly taking part in demonstrations involving political matters, the article states, “Demonstrating is not the same as voting, which requires a higher level of civic responsibility and knowledge.�

This statement is also why there is a certain age limit set for joining the military or holding a public office.

All of these require the person to make decisions for the good of the country. The same source also tells readers that many American teenagers do not understand the fundamentals of how the United States government works, nor do they know the amendments of the United States Constitution. So, if they do not know these things, why should they

be given the opportunity to vote?

In addition, the teenage brain is still maturing and developing, so lowering the voting age does not make sense for that reason either.

So for now, teens can voice their opinions in powerful speeches even though they cannot vote.

Though there are some reasons why the voting age should be changed, there really is not a powerful enough argument to support that.

Teenagers Advocating for Lowering the Voting Age:

Tiffany Missembe, 16

Mariam Khan, 17

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Veterans

The War to End All Wars

By Emma Kammholz

This past November, our nation celebrated the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice.

This was a treaty signed on November 11, 1918 in France, which officially declared the end of World War I. The Armistice established peace between the warring nations and meant that thousands of people did not have to live in fear of internment, attack, starvation, and separation from loved ones. World War I was so brutal that it was claimed to be “The War to End All Wars.” The four year conflict began when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was assassinated by a teenage Serbian nationalist on June 28, 1914.

This incident caused a majority of the European countries to separate into two alliances: the Triple En-

tente (England, France, and Russia and later to be joined by Italy, the United States, and Japan) and the Triple Alliance (Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy). World War I had one of the highest death rates in history, with over 37 million lives lost, including those of civilians and military personnel.

During the time of World War I, our nation was determined to unite as one and support the war effort.

From doctors and nurses to factory workers, everyone helped fight the war in his/her own special way. For example, a military doctor by the name of John McCrae wrote a famous poem by the name of “In Flanders Fields” which encouraged Canadian citizens to take on the war as their own battle.

While writing this poem, McCrae was tending to the needs of soldiers fighting in Belgium.

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For seventeen days, he saw many soldiers die in combat and was so inspired by the diligence of these individuals that he wanted to encourage the citizens back home to support the troops. McCrae describes the battle scene and openly shares his emotions towards these events.

This poem served as inspiration to the American public through its vivid descriptions of the physical and mental suffering the soldiers experienced. This allowed U.S. citizens to realize that the war was not only the soldiers’ fight, but the American peoples. Even if the soldiers died in

Veterans

combat, the people must carry on with the fight by uniting together and supporting troops overseas. In order to remember this, people began to pin poppies to themselves, not only because they were inspired by the poem written by McCrae, but it represented true dedication to unite with their fellow Americans

and defend their freedom. Even though World War I ended over 100 years ago, it allowed us to unite together as one powerful nation committed to those who fought for our freedom.

Every year, many veteran organizations hand out poppies encouraging Americans to reminisce on our freedom gained by the sacrifices of others. This seemingly simple, paper flower helps us remember that no matter what divides us in our nation, we can always unite together in our freedom and carry on the legacy of those who fought for us.

World War I may have occurred a long time ago, but that does not mean that its unimportant. This war was not just another event in a history book; it has influenced our cul-

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ture drastically and continues to inspire us to unite together as a nation even in times of disagreement. So, if anyone receives a poppy from a veteran, they should wear it proudly. This is because not only does it represent the dedication of soldiers and civilians during World War I alone, but also the unity of our Nation and the sacrifices of who have served--both living and dead.

World War I is a lesson and a reminder that despite our differences as individuals, as a nation, we are one. It is through this unity that we honor those who gave everything in “The War to End All Wars.� Our nation must continue in this unity of patriotism and purpose in order to move forward and flourish. This is why World War I still matters.

ACROSS

7.

8.

9.

10.

12.

13.

15.

Something worn to keep hands warm.

Something worn to keep body warm.

Does this in winter.

Solidified water.

A lot of snow coming down at one time.

Fall from the sky.

Something worn to keep head and ears worm.

DOWN

1. Big and menacing.

2. Something worn to keep feet warm.

3. Something built in the snow.

4. Sport played on ice.

5. Warm drink.

6. When solid water turns into a liquid.

11. Activity you do gliding on the ice.

14. Something worn to keep neck warm.

Your Pilot Staff: Hannah Gorski, Editor-in-Chief; Megan Orozco, Editor; Reece Elton, Editor