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The impacts of drugs in Society
how drugs affect health essay
The impacts of drugs in Society
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Drug abuse has been a major issue in the United States. It has dated back to the 1800’s. Drug abuse has also been strongly influenced on our youth. Drug addiction has resulted from drug abuse. Drug addiction leads to an increase in crimes due to the cost of many drugs sold on the streets. Drug addiction is a disease which needs medical attention to overcome. There are different types of drugs that are classified in different categories, which will be discussed below. The United States is constantly fighting to control drug abuse. First, let’s talk about the history of drug abuse. Drug abuse has been a major issue in the United States. Drug abuse is directly linked to crime. Many drug abusers commit crimes to feed their addiction. The relationship between drug abuse and crime is a very important policy issue. In the 1800’s to early 1900’s drug abuse was not widespread. It was associated with small groups, such as, musicians, artists, and very imaginative people. Opium dens developed in the west coast cities. It then spread throughout the country, resulting in an increase of Asian immigrants. The Chinese immigrants had brought over their opium products, which further spread opium use in America. Psychoactive substances became wide spread in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s. Timothy Leary was a professor at Harvard University. He was also a very influential figure during this movement. People began seeing drugs as a recreational substance. Many young individuals then began abusing drugs. Drugs have impacted our youth immensely throughout the years. Children are being exposed to drugs at a younger age each year. Marijuana use is one of the most abused drugs by Teens in the United States. MTF studies have been conducted to gather in... ... middle of paper ... ...tice Populations- A Research-Based Guide. Retrieved from National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-abuse-treatment-criminal-justice-populations/introduction Asia, D. T. (n.d.). Risk Of Disease With Drug Use. Retrieved from Alcohol Rehab: www.alcoholrehab.com/alcohol-rehab/risk-of-disease-with-drug-use/ Gaiter, D. J. (1982, February 14). Study Says Drugs Influence Criminal Behavior. Retrieved from New York Times: www.nytimes.com/1982/02/14/nyregion/study-says-drugs-influence-criminal-behavior.html Schmalleger, F. (2012). Criminolgoy Today: an integrative introduction. In F. Schmalleger, Criminolgoy Today: an integrative introduction (pp. 230-350). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall. Treatment, A. R. (n.d.). Drug Addiction Diseases. Retrieved from Axis Residential Treatment: www.axisresidentialtreatment.com/drug-addiction/disease/
Lilly, J. R., Ball, R. A., & Cullen, F. T. (2011). Criminological theory: Context and consequences. Los Angeles, CA US: Sage.
The war on drugs in our culture is a continuous action that is swiftly lessening our society. This has been going on for roughly 10-15 years and has yet to slow down in any way. Drugs continue to be a problem for the obvious reason that certain people abuse them in a way that can lead to ultimate harm on such a person. These drugs do not just consist of street drugs (marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy), but prescription medications as well. Although there are some instances where drugs are being used by subjects excessively, there has been medical research to prove that some of these drugs have made a successful impact on certain disorders and diseases.
The relationship between drug and substance abuse and criminality is not a simple one. In fact, the direct link between the two is difficult to ascertain. How true is it that drug-fueled crime has become prevalent in the United States? The Oregonian aired an award-winning documentary in 2004, showing the devastating effects of meth on the individual user and to the entire community, terming it an epidemic. But to what extent is this inference (Epidemic) true? Statistics obtained from SAMHSA Treatment Episode Data Set showed that in the period
Criminological Theory: Past to Present, edited by Cullen, T.F., Agnew, R. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Drug use and abuse is as old as mankind itself. Human beings have always had a desire to eat or drink substances that make them feel relaxed, stimulated, or euphoric. Wine was used at least from the time of the early Egyptians; narcotics from 4000 B.C.; and medicinal use of marijuana has been dated to 2737 B.C. in China. But it was not until the nineteenth century that the active substances in drugs were extracted. There was a time in history when some of these newly discovered substances, such as morphine, laudanum, cocaine, were completely unregulated and prescribed freely by physicians for a wide variety of ailments.
The consequences that follow the use of any drug are unfavorable. Although many individuals may see drug addiction as a mere lifestyle choice, it is a problem that many individuals suffer from and inevitably a growing issue that leaves major social and economic impacts.
"Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction." Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. Feb. 2007: 1-30. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.
Lilly, Robert J., Francis T. Cullen, and Richard A. Ball. 2011. Criminological Theory: Context And Consequences. 5th ed. California: SAGE.
The drug control policy of the United States has always been a subject of debate. From Prohibition in the early 1930’s to the current debate over the legalization of marijuana, drugs have always been near the top of the government’s agenda. Drug use affects every part of our society. It strains our economy, our healthcare, our criminal justice systems, and it endangers the futures of young people. In order to support a public health approach to drug control, the Obama administration has committed over $10 billion to drug education programs and support for expanding access to drug treatment for addicts (Office). The United States should commit more government resources to protect against illegal use of drugs by youths and provide help for recovering addicts.
Drug abuse has changed over the years due to the trends that Americans face from the encouragement of different cultures. The abuse of substances creates many health problems. The following will discuss the past and current trends of drug use and the effects these drugs have on the health of the individuals who abuse the drugs.
Volkow, N. (2007, March 1). The Science of Addiction: Drugs, Brains, and Behavior. NIH, 2, 14-17.
Drugs have affected our nation, state and community in a variety of ways, more negative than positive. Everyday people may suffer from drug addictions, whether it is over the counter prescriptions or bought on the street. The United States of America top three most commonly abused drugs are: Alcohol, Tobacco and Painkillers. Though there are many more other substances that are abused by Americans, those three top the list.
Drug abuse has been a hot topic for our society due to how stimulants interfere with health, prosperity, and the lives of others in all nations. All drugs have the potential to be misapplied, whether obtained by prescription, over the counter, or illegally. Drug abuse is a despicable disease that affects many helpless people. Majority of those who are beset with this disease go untreated due to health insurance companies who neglect and discriminate this issue. As an outcome of missed opportunities of treatments, abusers become homeless, very ill, or even worst, death.
Illegal drug use is one of the most common problems that affect Americans every day. Joyce B. Shannon (2010) found that, “More than 35 million individuals used illicit drugs or abused prescription drugs in 2007” (p. 11). The impact can be seen in communities of all types, and people with low and high income levels. Drug use is at the root of many problems with our society. Joyce B. Shannon (2010) referenced a survey from 2004 that states, “32% of state prisoners and 26% of federal prisoners” admitted that they were currently serving jail time for offences committed while they were, “under the influence of drugs” (p. 102). The reasoning behind this issue will be explained from a psychological, sociological, and an anthropological perspective including the benefit of an interdisciplinary perspective to grasp the cause of drug use and it’s affect on society.
The question that is being explored in our presentation asks what drugs are doing to our society. This means exploring the various groups that use recreational drugs their reasons for this the effects that drug use has and the methods to help prevent and stop use of drugs. By recreational drugs we mean such substances as marijuana and heavier more addictive drugs as heroin and cocaine. For which the use of these has increased throughout society over time.