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Drug use comes in two primary usage forms known as instrumental and recreational use. Instrumental drug use is primarily the use of drugs that are prescribed by a physician or over the counter medicines (Levinthal, 2012). These drugs are directly attributed to relieve symptoms or treat an ailment that a person is suffering from. Instrumental drugs used frequently would include anything like Tylenol, Advil, Claritin, Lipitor or other drugs used daily for common illnesses. Recreational drug use can alter a person’s mental state and be in both a legal or illegal format (Levinthal, 2012). Legal recreational drugs can be found in the format of cigarette or alcohol. Alcohol can be used illegally however, depending on the amount that is ingested
According to Drugs, Society, and Criminal Justice, instrumental drug use is a person that utilizes a drug for specific reasons to take the drug other than reasons for getting high, with a socially approved goal in mind, and recreational drug use is when a person takes a drug to get high, with disregard to being socially approved (Levinthal, 2012). Furthermore, an instrumental drug use behavior has a legitimate end or goal, such as using caffeine to stay awake longer (Bethel, 2016). Contrarily, a recreational drug use behavior consists of the person taking the drug to merely feel the effects of it and is considered an end to itself, such as consuming alcohol to achieve a pleasurable feeling (Bethel, 2016).
Typically, almost everyone in the world has taken drugs at some point in their life. Whether it be over the counter medication or prescription drugs. People get sick, they have illness, allegories, sexually transmitted diseases or other aches and pains. As you may already know, there is medication for each aforementioned problem. This is called drug use, which is using drugs for its intended purpose. However, the real dilemma happens when people began to misuse and abuse drugs.
According to the oxford dictionary the term drug is defined as “A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body” .Broadly speaking drugs can be classified into two group’s pharmacological drugs and recreational drugs. Pharmacological drugs are usually prescribed by doctors or pharmacist and recreational drugs are usually legal or illegal drugs. Pharmacological drugs are chemical substance used to cure or prevent diseases or to enhance the physical and mental well-being of a person. Recreational drugs are chemical substances that affect the central nervous system which are generally used to have a good time or for enjoyment purposes because these help in forgetting unhappy memories for a time being and create pleasure. Unfortunately both the pharmacological and recreational drugs have created problems in the Canadian society. A UN report said, "The global drug trade generated an estimated US $321.6 billion in 2003”, and Canadians are among the top participants on illegal drug.
Brecher, Edward M. (1972) Licit and Illicit Drugs; The Consumers Union Report on narcotics, stimulants, depressants, inhalants, Hallucinogens, and marijuana- including caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. New York, 291-390
“The behavior, drug abuse prevention experts say, is notably different from the use of drugs like marijuana or cocaine…The goal for many young adults is not to get high but to feel better - less depressed, less stressed out, more focused, better rested. It is just that the easiest route to that end often seems to be medication for which they do not have a prescription” (Harmon 2005, p.1) According to the Partners...
A common recreational drug that is illegally dealt is Heroin. To many this drug is known by a few slang/street names, some being; smack, brown stone and junk (Tracy, 2012). Heroin is a highly addictive opiate that caused many different issues regarding physical and mental health. It can be consumed in 3 different ways: snorting, injecting and smoking. The original purpose of heroin is far different then the purpose that it is used for today in society. In 1874, heroin was first produced from morphine and 24 years later began its journey in the field of medicine to help morphine addicted patients (Scott, 1998). After use of the medicine it became present that the drug was just as addictive as morphine and was in turn creating patients to become addicted to the new drug. In 1902, doctors ceased the use of heroin in the medical field and a few years following, 8 years later, the first case of a heroin addict was admitted to a hospital for treatment (Scott, 1998). The drug is no longer used for a medical purposes but is still present in the legal drug selling market. Many countries have stiff penalties if caught in possession of or are selling heroin, because this drug is listed as a Class A drug (“Opium, Morphine, Heroin”, n.d.).
Opium, the first opioid, is derived from the sap of opium poppies, whose growth and cultivation dates back to the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia around 3400 BC. Egyptians and Persians initially used opium. Eventually spreading to various parts of Europe, India, China, and the Middle East. During the 18th century, physicians in the U.S. used opium as a therapeutic agent for multiple purposes, including relieving pain in cancer, spasms from tetanus, and pain attendant to menstruation and childbirth. It was merely towards the end of the 18th century that some physicians came to recognize the addictive quality of opium.
The current situation of drug control in the United States is imperfect and inadequate. Millions of men and women, both young and old, are affected by illicit drug use. It costs the United States about $6,123 every second because of drug use and its consequences (Office). Moreover, 90 percent of all adults with a substance use disorder started using under the age of 18 and half under the age of 15. Children who first smoke marijuana under the age of 14 are five times more likely to abuse drugs as adults than those who first use marijuana at age 18. Finally, the children of alcoholics are four times more likely to develop problems with alcohol (Prevent). Current legislation that has to do with the United States’ drug control policy is the Controlled Substances Act, which regulates the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain substances (Shannon). In 1966, Congress passed the Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act also known as the NARA. This legislati...
Drugs are a very common part of everyday life, whether it is taking an analgesic, drinking or just smoking. In fact, it is very likely that there are drugs in your fridge or cupboard. Drugs are classified into two categories: legal and illegal. Examples of legal drugs include pharmaceutical drugs, tobacco or alcohol, while illegal drugs include marijuana, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines. The media often portrays a biased, negative view on illegal drugs, however legal drugs often have the same effects as illegal drugs, if not worse.
Among teens in the United States, some of the most commonly abused drugs are prescription drugs.
Drug abuse is defined as the excessive use of medication or substances which are either legal or illegal without the prescription of a physician. While some drugs are legal, overdosing is considered as drug abuse as the medicine is only healthy and helpful when taken in the required amount with the permission of a doctor. Other forms of drug abuse entail the use of substance that is either discouraged by healthcare association or illegalized by authorities. The users may use the drugs in order to feel a rush of energy or appear calm than normal. Drug abuse is a problem that affects the users, their close relatives and the society they live in (Barnard, 2007). There are different types of drugs that are abused ranging from extremely
The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.
Drug addiction is a very big problem in today’s society. Many people have had their lives ruined due to drug addiction. The people that use the drugs don’t even realize that they have an addiction. They continue to use the drug not even realizing that their whole world is crashing down around them. Drug addicts normally lose their family and friends due to drug addiction.
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.
The use of illegal drugs in the United States and other countries around the world is one of the biggest problems in today community. Illegal drugs are drugs that are restricted by the government. Moreover, some medical drugs have chemicals that can help people with pain and stress. But when people are under the influence of illicit drugs, they can experience many side effects such as: liver cancer, heart, and brain disease. Illegal drugs are being used by many types of people around the world; they cost a large amount of money and negatively affect people both psychologically and physically.