Preview

A Society Without Drugs

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1278 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
A Society Without Drugs
A Society without Drugs
Have you ever wondered of how wonderful our society would be, if we are able to get rid of Illegal Drug Usage in our community? Despite having tough anti-drug laws, the U.S. has the highest level of illegal drug use in the world. As per the World Health Organization 's survey of legal and illegal drug use in 17 countries, U.S report the highest level of drug usage (CBS news). The second-most abused category of drugs after marijuana among young people is the usage of prescription drugs (CBS news). Prescription drug abuse is the Nation 's fastest-growing drug problem, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. Misuse of prescription drugs is seen mostly among teens, and they believe these substances are safer than illicit drugs because they are prescribed by a healthcare professional and dispensed by a pharmacist. Addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic is not only a top priority for public health, but it will also help us build stronger communities.
Each year drug abuse results in around 40 million serious illnesses or injuries among people in the US. Have we ever wondered the economic impact of illicit drug usage? According to various surveys, it has totaled more than $ 193 Billion to our society. Our government has committed itself to that end; so have non-governmental organizations such as Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CACDA); the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA); Columbia University’s Center on Addiction and substance-abuse (CASA), the National Center for the Advancement of Prevention (NCAP), the Parent’s Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE), and many others(America’s Drug Abuse). The 2011 National Drug Control Strategy serves as the Nation 's blueprint for reducing drug use and its consequences, emphasizes on drug prevention and early intervention programs in healthcare settings, diverting non-violent drug offenders into treatment

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Having reviewed a similar crime prevention initiative at Ohio State University, we found the cost of this system to be acceptable. Ohio State’s Bill Shkurti, senior vice president for business and finance, notes, “the program is worth its $38,000-a-year cost” (Bush, 2007). Considering that Ohio State has close to five times the enrollment of the Baylor University, the Zero Tolerance team found that the cost of this solution was well within the established limit (The Ohio State, 2007; Baylor University,…

    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Transtheoretical Model

    • 533 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Substance abuse and dependency persist as a major health and social concern in America. Author Joseph A. Califano, a former secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare notes, “it is hard to find an American family or circle of friends that substance abuse has not touched directly (Califano, J. A., p. 1, 2008).” Califano further explains that although Americans are 4 percent of the world’s population, Americans consume 65 percent of the world’s illegal drugs. Furthermore, one in four Americans will have an alcohol or drug disorder at some point in his or her life. Most of these individuals have parents, children, siblings, friends, community and colleagues who will “undergo psychological and social harm" (Califano, J. A., p. 1, 2008.).” Authors…

    • 533 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    What do we think when we know that the use of illicit drugs in America has been decreasing over the past decade? Should this be a bad thing or a good thing? Generally, people would think this is good and that our nation is certainly progressing as a whole. But to be honest, how is it possible to have this sort of decrease in a free will country such as America. The answer to this is the new era of drugs. Prescription drugs are the reason why the use of illegal drugs such as marihuana, cocaine, heroin, crack and inhalants has decreased in the last decade. Teenagers are finding new ways to get high, unfortunately in a much more dangerous way and as addictive as illegal drugs. As a matter of a fact these drugs can contribute to lifetime health complications. Now, a question you may ask is why do teenagers abuse prescription drugs in America? In this paper, the major reasons of why this is happening will be briefly discussed.…

    • 1200 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    The “war on drugs” has been raging for years, but now it has a new adversary. It can be found in almost every home, sitting on a counter, or tucked away in a medicine cabinet. It can help a student focus better, help a person ease chronic pain, or help a person cope with daily stress or anxiety. This new adversary is prescription medication. With this being said, is America’s growing addiction to prescription medications reaching an epidemic status? The statistics will show that prescription medications are in high demand, the addiction to and demand for prescription drugs is causing a growth on the black market, and life is so hectic that a high school student or everyday housewife feels they need a medication to keep up with daily events. So yes, the addiction to prescription medication is reaching epidemic status, causing a growth in the black market, and affecting the lives of millions of people.…

    • 1542 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prescription drug abuse has become so prevalent and is now classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an epidemic. (“Prescription Drug Abuse”, The White House) Abuse of these drugs can arise in a number of ways. Many people are prescribed medication for a legitimate reason and they become addicted. When this happens, the patient usually tries to continue getting prescribed the medication from their doctor or go looking for other doctors that will continue to prescribe the drug. If unsuccessful, they’ll look elsewhere to find the drug and often times this means purchasing illegally on the street or over the internet. This problem occurs in all age groups. Even if the patient doesn’t become addicted, there’s a chance that they will enjoy the affects the drugs have and will continue to want to use them.…

    • 1224 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Increasing abuse of prescription drugs among teens can be attributed to psychological, environmental, or behavioral conditions.Drug abuse in teens can be linked to other disorders or conditions which lead to drug abuse. Teens who abuse drugs are likely to become adults who abuse drugs. It is necessary to understand and address these underlying issues if successful prevention is to happen. First it is necessary to understand the magnitude of the problem…

    • 2923 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Non Profit Organizations

    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages

    We are using some promoting and effective tactics in our new project, which can change the people mind and make the societies peaceful. We are also arranging some raising awareness sessions for youth in universities and communities, so they can learn from campaigns. Psychological assistants and social work will also help youth to discuss their problems or if they are facing any societal consequences of drug abuse or addiction. We are designing some new prevention strategies for local people, who educate about the disasters country and communities can face due to drug addiction. There should be commitment to funds for drug prevention efforts, for long-term.…

    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prescription drug abuse is a serious concern because it can easily and quickly lead to addiction or death. Every day in the United States, it is estimated that 2000 teenagers use a prescription drug for the first time without the approval of a doctor. In fact, roughly 7.4 percent of teens from the ages of 12 and 17 in America reported nonmedical use of prescription medications in the past year alone. Many believe that this new drug epidemic is affecting a large portion of the youth population (teens between the ages of 12 and 19) because prescription medications are not found in the streets, but at home-on kitchen counters, bathroom…

    • 631 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prescription drug abuse and addiction is a growing problem in our society. In 2007 an estimated seven million Americans abused prescription drugs, and almost twenty-eight thousand people died as a result of accidental drug overdose. In the United States drug overdoses are the second leading cause of unintentional deaths (CDC, 2010). Medication prescribed by physicians killed more people in that same than illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine combined (Harvard, 2011). Many members of our society do not view prescription drugs as dangerous. These medications are prescribed by a physician and purchased at a pharmacy to treat acute or chronic pain (Byrne, Lander, & Ferris, 2009).…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prominently, the exponential uprise of America’s crime rate, the financial leech from other departments, and the sheer illegality of the punishment are all reasons why a federal law needs to be passed in order to treat and rehabilitate those addicted to illegal substances, rather than punish them. The flaws within this system are detrimental not only to the prisoners in question, but the entire United States. For example, funding for students who have great potential is wasted detaining an addict with no control over their problem instead of offering them legitimate help. The benefits of rehabilitation for nonviolent drug offenders clearly surpasses the current system in every way. The citizens of the U.S. must vote a law through that will rectify the problem; nonviolent drug addicts must be rehabilitated rather than imprisoned. The time to act is…

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Health Care Reform

    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The abuse of prescription drug is a major issue. Although most people use prescription medicines as prescribed by physicians, doctors, and other clinical authorities, there is an increase of illegal use as well. College students constitute the largest increase of abuse. The abuse of prescriptions has led to sedative, painkillers (narcotics), and stimulants addictions. The ability of online ordering, the connection between pharmacist and physicians, and the increase of doctors writing prescriptions, the overall ability to get drugs have increased these issues (Browser, 2011).…

    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prescription drug abuse is a modern-day disease. In an estimate, over six million Americans have abused prescription medication. However, there is no completely accurate way to measure prescription drug abuse. Many people suffer from addiction because of certain doctors’ carelessness in writing prescriptions. When doctors’ are caught intentionally over prescribing abused medications, they are typically the punishment for their crimes is very small. Young adults are also beginning to abuse prescription drugs by illegally purchasing them from the prescription holder and using them as study or party drugs. Prescription drug abuse has torn apart families, destroyed lives, and has even resulted in death. Some people think that by focusing on prescription…

    • 1117 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prescription Drug Abuse

    • 458 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In 2000, about 43 percent of hospital emergency admissions for drug overdoses (nearly 500,000 people) happened because of misused prescription drugs. This type of drug abuse is increasing partially because of the availability of drugs, including online pharmacies that make it easier to get the drugs without a prescription, even for minors (Longley par. 6). There may also be a perception, especially among younger people, that prescription drugs are safer than illegal street drugs. Most people don’t lock up their prescription medications, nor do they discard them when they are no longer needed for their intended use, making them vulnerable to theft or misuse.…

    • 458 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The affects of alcohol and drugs has had a staggering impact on the US society and economy when considering the $211 billion dollar figure. This statistic is additional support to the argument that alcohol and drug abuse should be treated as medical conditions that require treatment and rehabilitation as opposed to the criminalization that is common. Although health care costs are already substantially growing at an explosive rate, the long-term impact of caring for alcohol and drug abuse victims would eventually reduce the dollars that are wasted when considering criminals are no longer active members of families, alcoholics and drug abuser are not able to contribute to the working economy, and the individuals ultimately may die from these…

    • 205 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Drug abuse

    • 729 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Drug abuse is becoming more and more common in the United States. Drugs today are being abused mostly by teens and young adults. The reason for such high usage of drug abuse people may say is may be stress and peer pressure. Today’s society is often stressed out from work, friends, family, bills, and school. Our U.S government are forced to send billions of dollars every year on treating addicts with the proper care needed, drug related crimes, and trying to prevent the usage of drugs. Although drugs are becoming a treat to our society it can also be fought successfully. Drug abuse has taken a major toll on our community. Meanwhile abusers are not able to fit in like normal people or citizens. These addicts often try to abuse their families and are soon after need treatment. Another problem would be crime and police resources are needed to stop such acts of dealing. Society often looks at drug abuse as a problem that can not be dealt with but there are many solutions to this problem.…

    • 729 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays