Drugs in Our Society

Drugs in Our Society

With the use of drugs being such a controversial issue in today’s society we felt as a group it was important to further explore this issue. As we possess a high interest in how drugs affect a number of social groups. These groups of course range from young teens to high-class older individuals who will have different reasons and different acceptable standards of behaviour.

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.

Recreational drugs are not limited to any particular group in society meaning that a very wide variety of people choose to use these drugs these of course include teenagers, parents, business people and often very dedicated students for a number of reasons. For a long time the common misconception that only youths use drugs and those who do are disrespectful and dishonest has become out dated and inaccurate. Teenagers can use drugs and there are certainly individuals who do who are disrespectful and dishonest however this is more likely to do with an individual’s personality than their use or experimentation of drugs.

The survey we conducted showed that most people believed it was more common for youths in the 14 to 22 age group to use recreational drugs. This was closely followed by the 23 to 30 age group, while the 13 and under age group was considerably further behind. The survey question that followed indicated that people also believed that drug users were irresponsible and inconsiderate. This slightly supports the misconception that teens are more likely to be involved with recreational drugs.

The reasons why people choose to use drugs will differ from group to group. While for many the use of drugs serves as an escape from the stresses of everyday life for others it is exactly used as it is called for recreational purposes. People also take drugs to feel happy and relax. The major reason among is still believed to be that of peer pressure, often teens feel the need t...

... middle of paper ...

...ociety we live in to regards drugs as acceptable but to what extent is this true. Society is not against what it can’t see. When people are dependant on a drug then their behaviour reveals to those around them what they are doing. This makes the world and society assume that all drugs and all drug users fit the typical stereotype. When someone is addicted to drugs society may not be directly affected but are very affected in the long run. The most direct way society is affected by drugs and their users is through the employment and criminal statistics. Employment is very much a problem for an addicted person and statistics show people desperate for drugs can commit crimes in order to get money to support their habit. This disrupts the whole idea of social cohesion only making chaos and producing prejudice attitudes. So just how are drugs affecting society. They affect society by overtaking the users life and the user therefore neglects their responsibilities of the society in which they live and breaching the acceptable standards of behaviours. Recreational drugs are a serious issue that must be dealt with help society progress further for the benefit of the next generation.