The Nation's Drug Problem

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Nation's Drug Problem (United States) Over the last couple of years, there has been increased concern over the effects of drugs on the health of Americans. This is mainly due to the increased use of drugs by most citizens, which has caused the government to spend a lot of money to curb this problem. One of the most abused drugs is alcohol, and American citizens are increasingly becoming addicted to it. It is also the most undesirable drug, as it costs the government over $200 billion in terms of productivity, health and crime-related costs (Office of National Drug Control Policy 2). Marijuana, which accounts for over $100 billion in costs, is the next most common drug after alcohol. Drug addiction is not only in adults, but also in underage individuals. This means, the entire population is affected. The increased indulgence in drug and substance abuse has been associated with several issues, among them one’s heredity and surroundings. Firstly, research on establishing the ideal connection between drugs abuse and genetics is still incomplete. This research may perhaps establish mechanisms that could prevent the problem from deteriorating. Unfavorable surroundings also greatly influence individuals to engage in drugs and substance abuse. When an individual lives in a drug prone area, there is a high possibility that he/she will indulge in substance abuse. Peer pressure in students and teenagers also lures them into substance abuse (Office of National Drug Control Policy 2). During this stage of human development, individuals tend to emulate and copy what others are doing and consider defiance as a good attribute. Using drugs, while associating them with achievement, causes young individuals to become addicted without even reali... ... middle of paper ... ... Deborah. Nation's Prescription Drug Abuse Problem Continues to Grow. Medscape Medical News. June 30, 2011. Web. 21 August 2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2007. Web. 21 August 2011. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction. NIDA. March, 2011. Web. 21 August 2011. Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Economic Costs of Drug Abuse in the United States, 1992-2002. Executive Office of the President. 2004. Web. 21 August 2011. Open Society Foundations. Tackling Drug Addiction. n.p. 2011. Web. 21 August 2011. Rehm, James and Collins, Mathers. Global burden of disease and injury and economic cost attributable to alcohol use and alcohol-use disorders. Lancet. 373. 9682 (2009):2223–2233. Print.

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