Runaways Case

Runaways

Every year about 800,000 teenagers and kids in the united sates are reported missing. But another 500,000 teenagers and kids go missing but are not reported (Davidson 1599). Many of these kids and teens are runaways. Although 25 percent of these youths are sheltered and just about one third of street youths have attempted to kill themselves no less than once (Veladota 43), they have no idea what harm running away can do to them. These teens and kids have to take into account what problems they are going to run into. Things such as health risks, what the law can do about it and what life on the streets will be akin to.

I. Life on the streets for runaways includes dumpster diving, begging for money, and dealing or doing drugs.

A. Food is a thing that runaways have trouble getting a hold of. They usually resort to "trashing" or otherwise known as "dumpster diving." They dig for scraps hoping to find something to chew on or something to quench their thirst (Veladota 26).

B. Many runaways turn to money begging or stealing for money. "When times toughen, they snatch purses, shoplift, and smash car windows to grab radios or briefcases," says Robert McGarvey. For most though, their age does not help at all. It is very hard to get a decent paying job at a young age (Veladota 29; Davidson 1600).

C. Sometimes stealing money and begging for it just does not cut it. Teenage runaways are sometimes turned to dealing drugs as well as doing these drugs being dealt (Veladota 28; "Background" 1).

II. It is not exactly the healthiest route to take when teenagers decide to run away. There are many serious health risks such as drug abuse, pregnancy and STDs, and alcohol abuse.

A. Dr. Randy Christensen does not only treat physical problems. "He had a sense of what I'm going through," says 19-year-old Kira who was kicked out of her home three years ago. Exchanging sex for food, clothing and a place to stay is another thing that teenage runaways refer to. Resulting from this kind of decision is pregnancy and/or STDs (Veladota 40-41; "Background" 1; Johnny 1).

B. It is not uncommon for both female and male teenage runaways to drink alcohol. In fact, approximately 60 to 80 percent of homeless and runaways youth drink alcohol regularly and drink to the summit of intoxication at minimum of once a week (Davidson 1600; Veladota 41-42).

C. More likely then normal, teenagers, homeless or runaways teenagers use drugs. Marijuana, hallucinogens, stimulants, sedatives, and inhalants are just some of the drugs abused by runaway teenagers ("Background" 1).

III. Not very many teenagers know that running away can be illegal in some situations, while other time it is not. But more girls than boys get arrested for running away.

A. A few states treat