Socio-Cultural Variables and Drugs
ANDREWS UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN
P.O. BOX 175, PORT OF SPAIN
Research Paper on Socio-Cultural Variables and Drugs
An Assignment
Presented in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Course
PSYC460: PSYCHOLOGY OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR
INSTRUCTOR: Mr Clyde Best
By
Khadyne Klassie Andrews
2 December 2010
Approval……………….
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Question: What socio-cultural variables continue to effect drug use today? How has this changed from some previous socio-cultural variable that have influenced drug use in the past?
i. Abstract ii. Introduction iii. Conclusion iv. References
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Research has revealed that drug use paints an increasingly dismal picture as we approach the twenty-first century. Both the adult (middle-aged people mostly in their 30s and 40s) and the school aged drug user population have grown in size following years of relative stability. At least 4.6 percent of high school seniors are daily marijuana users, as are about 1 percent of eighth graders, suggesting that the average user is getting younger. Other prevalence data estimate that 12.4 million people used drugs monthly whether legal or not. (Johnston, O 'Malley, and Bachman 1995) The consumption of drugs not only has serious physical, social and economic consequences for the individual consumer, but also imposes enormous costs on society as a whole, and ultimately funds massive criminal systems. People may choose to take drugs to rebel, to escape, to cope, to survive, to belong or to register resignation and defeat. The current global increase in the consumption of drugs may be related to changes in society, including reduced family and community cohesiveness, increased unemployment and greater feelings of alienation. (Shaw V. N, 2002) Drug use and abuse contributes to or is a symptom of high unemployment, breakdown in family structure and poor living conditions. Many young
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN
P.O. BOX 175, PORT OF SPAIN
Research Paper on Socio-Cultural Variables and Drugs
An Assignment
Presented in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Course
PSYC460: PSYCHOLOGY OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR
INSTRUCTOR: Mr Clyde Best
By
Khadyne Klassie Andrews
2 December 2010
Approval……………….
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Question: What socio-cultural variables continue to effect drug use today? How has this changed from some previous socio-cultural variable that have influenced drug use in the past?
i. Abstract ii. Introduction iii. Conclusion iv. References
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Research has revealed that drug use paints an increasingly dismal picture as we approach the twenty-first century. Both the adult (middle-aged people mostly in their 30s and 40s) and the school aged drug user population have grown in size following years of relative stability. At least 4.6 percent of high school seniors are daily marijuana users, as are about 1 percent of eighth graders, suggesting that the average user is getting younger. Other prevalence data estimate that 12.4 million people used drugs monthly whether legal or not. (Johnston, O 'Malley, and Bachman 1995) The consumption of drugs not only has serious physical, social and economic consequences for the individual consumer, but also imposes enormous costs on society as a whole, and ultimately funds massive criminal systems. People may choose to take drugs to rebel, to escape, to cope, to survive, to belong or to register resignation and defeat. The current global increase in the consumption of drugs may be related to changes in society, including reduced family and community cohesiveness, increased unemployment and greater feelings of alienation. (Shaw V. N, 2002) Drug use and abuse contributes to or is a symptom of high unemployment, breakdown in family structure and poor living conditions. Many young
References: Gossop, M., Eiser, J. R., and Ward, E. (1982): ‘ Gossop, M., Eiser, J. R., and Ward, E. (1982). The addict 's perceptions of their own drug taking: Implications for the treatment of drug dependence. Addict. Johnston, L.D., P.M