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Drug Abuse and the Society

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Submitted By leahmjasho
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QBT Task 5 Mwandaga,J
Western Governors University
Language Communication- Research

QBT Task 5
Question: Does drug abuse affect the society and the economy?
Drug abuse is the misuse of prescription drug or use of illicit drugs to an extent that adversely affects the individuals health(Collins & Lapsley, 2008)It is a relapsing condition that affects an individual, family and the society and impacts on the quality of life of the family, victims of the abuser and the abuser.(Harwood, Fountain, & Livermore, 1998).According to Califano,2008,drug abuse in one of the top five official government killers, with recorded 40 million suffering from disabling and debilitating illnesses and injuries and death of about 600,000 Americans . Rampant use of illicit drugs by Americans started in the second half of the 19th century during The Civil War. During the same period, pharmaceutical companies added opiates and cocaine in their products (Califano, 2008, p. 19). Illicit drugs include (but not limited) marijuana, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, methamphetamine and illicit use of legal psychoactive medications. (Harwood et al., 1998).Drug abuse affects individuals and the society, socially, economically and physically and is a contributing factor in increasing mortality and morbidity. (McGinnis & Foege, 1999). According to Harwood et al,1998, 23, drug-related deaths occurred in 2000 due to different causes, for instance poisoning, overdose, HIV, homicide and hepatitis B and C. Significant healthcare costs associated with consequences of drug abuse were estimated to 16 billion dollars by 2002 which was 4.1% yearly since 1992(Harwood et al., 1998). Research suggests that drug abuse has a negative impact not only on the individuals who use drugs but on the society because of significant healthcare costs, loss of productivity which affects the economy and disturbances

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