Drug Abuse Problems, Causes, Effects and Solutions
Name:
Instructor:
Course:
Date:
Drug Abuse: Problems, Causes, Effects and Solutions
Drugs have continued to take a centre stage in international affairs. The worldwide drug problem has three main themes that are quite evident in a majority of the countries. These theme revolve around the special effects of the unlawful production, promotion and trafficking of drugs. Another concern targets the youth and drugs addiction. In an effort to reduce the dangers posed by drugs globally, two major policy and programming approaches have been employed. First is the criminal justice approach that essential aims at halting or controlling the use of drugs. The second model is the public wellbeing model which is based on reducing the injury associated with the use of drugs. The investigation of the drug-abuse crisis on a global level clearly illustrates the effects of the drugs socially with regard to fabrication, unlawful acquisition or trafficking and peddling (Stares 97). This paper outlines drug abuse, the problems associated with drug abuse, causes and effects as well as various solutions to the problems.
Drug abuse is the habitual utilizing of any substance containing chemicals that affect the status of the mind. This continuous use of the chemical substances is chronic and has detrimental effects on the individual. Drug abuse is rampant, and usually the sole purpose is not medically acceptable. “The emergence of new drugs such as cocaine and opiates that have neuropsychological effects has provided a milestone achievement towards understanding the concept of drug abuse”. This is because the ancient definitions of addiction that largely dwelt on physical dependence and withdrawal have undergone a transformation with the emergence of the modern drugs (Caroll & Durant 124).
The causes of drug abuse vary. In sociological perspective the cause of drug and substance abuse are categorized in three main categories. Within the social circle, an individual can resort to drug abuse as a result of deprivation. This is normally manifest as denial as exemplified in rejection by other members of the family or the community at large. The deprivation can be caused by scarcity in stimulation and communication within the family setting. Other deficiencies also come into play in the eventual way out to drug abuse. A young person becomes dependent on drug when he or she feels that the community inclusive of the family has little or nothing at all to provide (Hanson, Venturelli & Fleckenstein 87). In such environments, there is a routine breakdown of the social standards and regulations as well as disorganization. There is also the influence of undesirable role models who are perceived to be activists and lobbyists. In such situations, a climate of antagonism and estrangement is compared to the broader community. This alienation is usually psychological and the members of such a community feel separated and withdrawn fro the entire society. This leads to drug abuse as the only way out in countering the effect of the alienation. However, it is not all the members who resort to such a drift (Hanson, Venturelli & Fleckenstein 87).
Narcotics exemplified by codeine, morphine, heroin and methadone have physical effects. These are constricted pupils of the eyes, hypotension, nausea, cough suppression, decreased production of urine and dry mouth. Depressants including the barbiturates, nonbarbiturates and benzodiazepines are used in stress management. However, their abuse result in insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy and other seizures disorders. Barbiturates can also depress respiration leading to death or suffocation. This is further aggravated by the use of alcohol. Marijuana is by far the most abused drug globally. Marijuana possesses both psychological and physical effects. Among the psychological effects include euphoria, drowsiness, hunger, impaired concentration, lapses of attention and impaired short term memory. Physical effects include conjunctiva reddening, increased heart rate, and dilation of bronchial tubes as well as disruption of complex task performance (Henderson 95).
Hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide have physical and psychological effects. These are stimulation of the central nervous system, involuntary contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles, tingling, numbness and increased blood pressure. Psychological effects include distortions of body image, integrity, space, size and distance. Others are intense introspection and confused sensory perception such as seeing sound. Heroin users have bad teeth. Cocaine addicts on the other hand, possess teeth that are ground. The gums shrink or become swollen constantly bleeding. Alcohol and solvent abusers develop a rash on the mouth or nose. Drug users often find themselves in fights and in the course of such events; they lose their teeth (Henderson 74).
Solutions to fighting drug abuse focus on two major approaches namely criminal justice approach and the public wellbeing model. The public wellbeing model traverses all the participants at therefore it is seen to hold tangible weight. Physicians while administering these drugs should uphold high standards and work ethics. For instance, in administering pain relievers by the use of narcotics, physicians and other medical practitioners should ensure that the patients will not develop dependency. As it is a matter of professional judgment, some physicians may show laxity resulting in patients being dependent. Others may be too conservative tolerating the continuous suffering of the patient. “In humans, the administration of dopamine antagonists reduces the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and the craving for the response to alcohol. Antipsychotics are therefore being investigated as treatments for alcohol dependence”. Parents should begin discussing the issues of drugs with their children at an early age. Through this, the children are better equipped in taking adult responsibilities later in life (Stares 137).
The governments can also conduct education on drug awareness by organizing community based programs that target all the members. Additionally, the government can come up with rehabilitation centers to cater for drug addicts on recovery. The government should undertake stringent measures in curbing the movement of drugs in and out of the country. By deployment of special police patrol unit in all major entry points in the country, the war on drug trafficking can be won effectively (Milhorn 216).
Works Cited
Milhorn, Howard. Drug and Alcohol Abuse : The Authoritative Guide for Parents, Teachers and
Counselors. New York: Plenum Publishers, 1994. Print.(Database:Access Science).
Stares, Paul. Global Habit:The Drug Problem in a Borderless World. Washington D.C:
Brookings Institution, 1994. Print(Database:Science Reference Center).
Henderson, Harry. Drug Abuse. New York: Fact On File, 2005. Print.(Database:Health Source:Consumer Edition).
Hanson, Glen, Peter Venturelli and Annette Fleckenstein. Drugs and Society. Boston: Jones and
Bartlett Publishers, 2002. Print.(Database:Science Reference Center).
Roman, Espejo. Drug Abuse. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Print.(Database:Health Source:Consumer Edition).
