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Drug Abuse In The Hispanic Community

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Drug abuse and addiction is a serious issue within the United States. It is an issue because there is a weight of stress placed on communities. Think of the kind of effect a large presence of drugs in the community has on the people who want a clean and healthy place to live. Think of the emotional damage drug abuse brings to families and how harmful it can be to adolescents who are pressured into trying drugs by older teenagers in their neighborhood. This statement will narrow its focus down to the impact drug abuse and addiction has on Hispanic communities in San Antonio, TX. The Hispanic culture is heavy and predominates in San Antonio, so it is important to recognize if these people are more likely to abuse drugs than other ethnicities …show more content…
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), drug addiction doesn’t just harm the person using, there are health risk which can be harmful to others. For example, a mother who abuses heroine can cause her unborn baby to suffer from neonatal abstinence syndrome, or (NAS). If this child grows up with drug dependency, he or she would need special medical care and education, and would have development issues. Another example is the risk of spreading infectious diseases. When drug abusers share needles while they are using cocaine, heroin or meth it makes them more susceptible to contracting Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C and accounts for 12% of new AIDS cases. It is also important to note when someone is under the influence of an illicit drug, their judgement is impaired and they may engage in irresponsible sexual behavior, making it possible for them to contract an STD (2014). These conditions are serious medical problems, which are very expensive and require advanced, prolonged medical care. The patients also need help and guidance from treatment facilities and mental health counseling. Meanwhile, more drugs are being introduced and distributed in the streets and into people’s …show more content…
In San Antonio, there is a nonprofit organization called the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SACADA), and their missions is to provide resources and services to prevent drug abuse as well as youth prevention programs. They currently have provided free services to more than 60,000 people in Bexar County and 28 surrounding counties in South Central Texas (Home, n.d). The dedication of this organization gives strength to the community and encourages them to seek a healthier lifestyle. Educating parents about the risk of drug abuse encourages them to speak with their children and if their children are suffering from drug abuse, supporting them and leading them down the path to a safe recovery. Children who may be living with parents who are abusing drugs, increases their chance of abusing drugs and SACADA offers services for

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