...Chemical Dependency Name: Insitution: African Americans and Chemical Dependency Abstract Chemical dependence is the use of chemicals, which may include alcohol, drugs, and other substances that may affect normal physiologic or psychological processes, in an uncontrolled, compulsive way. It is often referred to as substance abuse. Substance abuse has been the subject of many a discussion, due to the adverse effect it has on human health, relationships, and many other spheres of human life. This paper will evaluate the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse in differing populations, with a special emphasis on African Americans. This paper will also review the steps of care that victims of chemical dependency are taken through in the rehabilitation program, with a focus on Africa American populations. Additionally, the paper will review the professional resources that are used in the treatment of chemical dependency victims among African Americans, and finally, the paper will explore the issues that impact treatment and recovery from chemical dependency among African Americans. African Americans and Chemical Dependency African Americans have historically been consistently ranked among the racial/ethnic groups with the highest rates of substance abuse. In recent years, however, the statistics seem to have improved when compared to overall ratings. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alcohol use seems to be lowering among...
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... This paper will be regarding the topic on “How to Fix the Skids” for Applied Law Enforcement class instructed by Al “R.C.” Arsenault. “Skid row” or “the skids” is located on the 100-block of East Hastings Street in Vancouver, British Columbia; right between Chinatown and Gastown. The Downtown Eastside is also where the safe drug injection site called Insite is located. Through this paper, a few solutions will be discussed on what actions should be taken in order to “fix the skids”. A few issues that will be discussed include: the cost of drugs, harm reduction, drug rehabilitation programs, drug importation, revisal of criminal justice system, and criticisms. According to Wikipedia, Vancouver was for many years the main port-of-entry for the North American opium supply resulting in the rise in popularity for the usage of opium and heroin. During the Great Depression, a pattern of social decay became well established in the Downtown Eastside due to the gathering of the unemployed and poor amongst the area. During the 1970’s, the alcohol and poverty problems in the area was made worse by the expansion of the drug trade which included the importation of crack cocaine. Currently, Downtown Eastside is infamous for its open drug trade and drug-related deaths. Wikipedia explains that Vancouver's Skid Row has the highest per capita heroin-related deaths and the highest rate of HIV and Hepatitis C infections in North America. Contrary to many beliefs, drug addiction is not...
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...that should be considered in each case to determine the correct sentence. There are four justifications for punishment in the United States; the four principal objectives of punishment are traditionally stated as retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation ,and incapacitation. There are many factors that determine what form of punishment you receive. The factors include the type of crime committed and previous criminal history. The state objectives for punishment are applied to misdemeanors, and the federal objective for punishment is only for felonies and serious misdemeanors. The principal objectives for punishment are retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation and incapacitation. Retribution is the justification punishment in which the offender is given a sentence that is vengeful, this given to make the offender suffer for the crime committed, to also make the offender morally responsible for the offender to accept responsibility for their actions. Retribution is also done to show others that the crime committed will not be tolerated. Deterrence is a justification punishment that is given with the intent of discouraging members of society from committing criminal acts out of fear of punishment ("Deterrence," 2007). Rehabilitation is the justification punishment that is given with the purpose of...
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...Drug Addiction Crime or Disease? Interim and Final Reports of the Joint Committee of the American Bar Association and the American Medical Association on Narcotic Drugs. INTERIM REPORT For the last half-century public authorities in the United States have been wrestling with the problem of controlling addiction to narcotic drugs. Since the twenties, legislation and enforcement policies have aimed at total repression, with criminal sanctions of notable severity attaching to every transaction connected with the non-medical use of drugs. Drug-law enforcement has become a major police activity of federal, state and local governments; the threat of long imprisonment, even of death penalties, hangs over not only the smuggler and the peddler, but the addict-victim of the illicit traffic. Addiction to narcotic substances has been recognized as a health problem for a long time and in many different countries. It has also in our times and in our national community, emerged as a criminal law problem of distressing magnitude and persistency. The fields of medicine and law are thus equally affected, and the Joint Committee which offers this report has undertaken its assignment with enthusiasm at the prospect of uniting its parent organizations in a common effort centered in an area where the concerns of each overlap and largely coincide. If the Joint Committee can contribute something towards mutual enlightenment and ultimate agreement between the medical and legal professions regarding...
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...Substance Abuse in Nursing Erika O. Substance Abuse in Nursing The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of nurses impaired by substance abuse and to explore actions that are being taken to either prevent or correct the problem once it has occurred. My reasons for choosing this topic is that I will soon be entering the nursing field and the likely hood of me working with an impaired or addicted nurse appears to be very likely; the more I know on the subject the better prepared I will be to handle the situation. It has been estimated that roughly 10% of the nursing population has alcohol or drug abuse problems furthermore 6% has an addiction serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice (Talbert, 2009). The American Nurses Association (ANA) estimated that 6%--8% of nurses use alcohol or drugs to the extent that professional judgment is impaired. Impaired nursing is defined as a nurse's inability to perform essential job functions because of chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol or mental illness (Blair, 2002). This is of particular relevance because substance abuse among nurses is an issue that threatens the delivery of quality care and professional standards of nursing, “many nurses are not identified as having a problem until patient safety has been compromised” (Talbert, 2009). A. Introduction-5 points State the purpose of your paper and your reason for choosing your topic. B. Definition of Topic-10 points Begin...
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...Substance Abuse in Nursing The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of nurses impaired by substance abuse and to explore actions that are being taken to either prevent or correct the problem once it has occurred. My reasons for choosing this topic is that I will soon be entering the nursing field and the likely hood of me working with an impaired or addicted nurse appears to be very likely; the more I know on the subject the better prepared I will be to handle the situation. It has been estimated that roughly 10% of the nursing population has alcohol or drug abuse problems furthermore 6% has an addiction serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice (Talbert, 2009). The American Nurses Association (ANA) estimated that 6%--8% of nurses use alcohol or drugs to the extent that professional judgment is impaired. Impaired nursing is defined as a nurse's inability to perform essential job functions because of chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol or mental illness (Blair, 2002). This is of particular relevance because substance abuse among nurses is an issue that threatens the delivery of quality care and professional standards of nursing, “many nurses are not identified as having a problem until patient safety has been compromised” (Talbert, 2009). A. Introduction-5 points State the purpose of your paper and your reason for choosing your topic. B. Definition of Topic-10 points Begin with a definition of the issue, followed by identification of...
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...been raised about why people start using and abusing drugs and alcohol. Many people have spent time and effort researching these questions and have come up with common answers depending on which way a person is looking at the question. I am looking at this question from both a mental and emotional view. Drug and alcohol abuse has many definitions. Some may say that a person who drinks before noon is an alcoholic or someone who uses “street drugs” is a drug addict, but the truth is that anyone can be a drug addict or alcoholic. In my personal definition; a person who is mentally, emotionally or psychically dependent upon a substance is an addict. It does not matter if the substance is alcohol, “street drugs”, or prescription medication. Addiction can take the form of many different shapes, sizes, and races. The history of drug abuse dates back as far as time itself. The human race has always searched for things to help them feel relaxed, stimulated or increase energy and reduce the amounts of daily stress. Drug abuse history can be traced back to home remedies that people thought would cure these types of aliments. One form of abuse was alcohol and was discovered through farming and fermentation of fruits and grains. Indians and other native people used natural remedies like marijuana and natural hallucinogenic to reach out and speak with their spirit guides. When choosing this topic, I thought carefully about my past experience and the experience of people I know that have been...
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...Historical Analysis Paper: Internet Addiction- A Rising Issue The number of Internet users has intensely went up over the years due to the growing accessibility of the Internet. In 2009 the amount of time Americans spent online increased by over a hundred percent from 2004. China, Japan, the United States, Brazil and India are currently the countries containing the largest populations of Internet users world-wide. The countries most plagued with Internet Addiction Disorder include mainly the countries within the continent of Asia such as China and South Korea as well as Northern America, United States (Conrad). Internet addiction has become a serious problem that is progressively modifying the brain structure and function for persons addicted. Like other forms of addiction, the Internet addiction results from the excessive usage of the computer and other internet enabled technological devices which causes increased dependency. Psychological issues and Mental disorders generally tend to lead individuals towards various forms of addictions and exacerbates their illness; this can happen in the reverse chronological order as well. College students are more likely to be disposed towards Internet Addiction because of their developing minds at that stage and the increasing role the Internet plays in the academic world. Scientists are currently researching for more and more efficient treatments for this Internet Addiction Disorder or IAD, but hey must initially be able to correct...
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...Eng 122 Paul Wiltz October 15th, 2012 Drug Trafficking Methamphetamine in the United States I decided to do my research paper on drug trafficking methamphetamine in the United States. I chose this topic for two reasons, one because I have had a history of drug trafficking methamphetamines myself and another reason is because I am currently working on my BA in applied behavioral science to further my career in substance abuse counseling. A little bit about methamphetamines being transported from Mexico to the United States is DEA (drug enforcement administration) is trying to put a stop to Americans transporting drugs from Mexico to the United States. And with the DEA doing this Americans think that it would be safer to make methamphetamines in their own homes instead of taking the chance transporting the drugs from one state to another. So I plan on doing my research paper along the lines of the DEA cracking down on Americans transporting methamphetamines and Americans making or “cooking” methamphetamines in their homes, otherwise known as “meth labs”. My hypothesis is that Mexico is the major supplier to the United States for methamphetamines and many Americans are going to Mexico to get methamphetamines and transporting the drugs back to their city to distribute the drug to make money. After doing some research on the topic I found that “DEA has concluded that Mexico has become this country’s primary source of a category of drugs now flooding it”...
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...Reference Database: “Addiction” by Nancy A. Piotrowski, Ph.D Addiction is when the human body becomes dependent on a substance. Prolonged use of any psychoactive drug will determine a persons dependency. The addiction can affect a person psychologically and physiologically; this will show in an addicts tolerance and withdrawal symptoms from a drug. Tolerance will involve the biological system such as the human body, changes in the body after a drug is present, and environmental or behavioral conditioning. The way the human body processes a drug is by absorbing a drug through the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream it will be delivered to different organs and they will metabolize the drug and eliminate it from the body. After frequent use of a drug, the way the body processes a drug may change. When this occurs the body is able to rid itself of the drug more efficiently. This leads to reduced effects from the drug than when it was initially consumed. When this happens an increase to the dose will be required to get the desired effect. Many changes will occur in the body once a drug is present. It will change the sensitivity in specific areas of the body where the drug has an impact. For instance, there may be a direct or indirect impact on different areas of the brain. A direct impact may lead to a change in the brains receptors. When there is an indirect impact it will show in tissue tolerance and functional tolerance. Environmental and behavioral conditioning...
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...Abstract This paper is written in response to an assignment set by Ashworth College. The student is asked write a paper on the budgetary pressures and cuts faced by all levels of government, and explain how to justify to the tax-paying public an increase in expenditures on prison treatment and rehabilitation programs. To respond to this assignment, the student undertook desk research, wrote and submitted this paper. Keywords: prison treatment, rehabilitation programs, cost, expense, investment Introduction: The context for extra spending Many sections of the United States government over the past several years have experienced severe budget cuts due the Great Recession. Some education departments have experienced double digit percentage cuts, leading to layoffs among both faculty and administrative personnel. Hospitals, public transportation, and many other government departments have experienced layoffs, working hour reductions, cuts in pay, and cuts in resourcing. With these cost-reduction measures imposed in many government departments, it would be difficult to persuade the tax-paying public that anything currently deserves an increase in spending. If most parts of society must cut back on budgets and services, why should the public tolerate extra spending to help those who have actively broken the law? Many would argue that preference should be given to extra spending for law-abiding citizens. This paper explores how to justify to the tax-paying public...
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...program transitioning to a lower level of care outpatient treatment. While attending both programs she participates in group and individual sessions addressing her domestic violence which she experienced by her past boyfriends. Additionally, Ms. Lee sought treatment to address her mental health diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) which she was prescribed antidepressants. Ms Lee also resided in transitional housing which she would present to her probation officer for random urine drug screens. Over the month Ms. Lee was able to obtain gainful employment, stable housing and regain custody of her children. However, Ms. Lee violated her probation after testing positive on a random urine drug screen (Geyer, 2009). The purpose of this paper is to discuss treatment outcomes models: recidivism model, relapse model, and harm-reduction model. The recidivism, relapse, and harm-reduction model have in common are they are used in forensic treatment literature (Geyer,...
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...Punishment Research Paper Craig Hart March 25, 2012 SOC/120 When it comes to American society there are four types of punishment. These types of punishment are retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation and societal protection. Punishment in its concept is favorably perceived as a retributive practice. Our society uses these four forms of punishment attempting to lower crime rates in our society. Some of these types of punishments could be considered harder than others however each one has its own distinction. Retribution according to the dictionary is the act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury. I think that the phrase “an eye for an eye” and “a tooth for a tooth” is a very good definition of how retribution depicts peoples need for justice in our American society. When people have gone through an experience of crime or pain, they want some sort of closure or retribution to satisfy their morality. An example of retribution is in our courts system when murders get convicted and sentenced to one life behind bars for every life that was taken. People who believe in retribution believe that there is no rehabilitation or any help to change the criminal just that the criminal must serve the time sentenced. As stated by Gerard V. Bradley (2003) the adoption of retribution as the philosophical basis for punishment therefore provides a powerful, multi-faceted justification for beyond that proffered by the alternatives. Retribution certainly...
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...Punishment Research Paper Katherine Birchler University of Phoenix (AXIA) It is easy to see that many types of punishments in regards to someone who commits a crime don’t necessarily have long term effects. In other words, the punishment used in American society has not deterred crime. There are four types of punishment used in American society which are: retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and societal protection. There have been many research studies that described the results of each one. The first type of punishment which is called retribution can be described as the belief of doing unto them as they have done to others. Many consider this as the old saying of an “eye for an eye,” and example of punishments of these includes death penalties, life sentences, or other forms of capital punishments. Though there are a lot of controversies about this type of punishment, there are still others who still believe this kind of punishment. It is by far the oldest form of punishment to date and still considered popular today. The effects can be damaging nonetheless to everyone involved in this process. The families of the victim(s) and the offender all grieve however judges and the authorities might justify the punishment as a way of making sure one hundred percent that the criminal will never commit their viscous act. Retribution usually happens when the offender is a serial murderer or someone else who has killed many people and is threat...
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...Family involvement plays a crucial part in prevention of disease or healing processes. McCubbin and McCubbin (1993) developed the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation which identifies how families cope with hardships and/or stressors such as chronic illnesses, addictions, deaths, etc. Stress is a concern central to most families. Family involvement provides a greater overview of the care patients should receive to cope with stressors. Therefore, nurse practitioners (NP) have the duty to involve each individual patient in his or her care as well as any identified family member. This paper will focus on the importance of implementing the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation as a foundation to...
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