...[pic]Drug dependence - Overview Alternative Names Drug addiction; Addiction - drug; Dependence on drugs Definition of Drug dependence: Drug dependence means that a person needs a drug to function normally. Abruptly stopping the drug leads to withdrawal symptoms. Drug addiction is the compulsive use of a substance, despite its negative or dangerous effects. A person may have a physical dependence on a substance without having an addiction. For example, certain blood pressure medications do not cause addiction but they can cause physical dependence. Other drugs, such as cocaine, cause addiction without leading to physical dependence. Tolerance to a drug (needing a higher dose to attain the same effect) is usually part of addiction. Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Drug abuse can lead to drug dependence or addiction. People who use drugs for pain relief may become dependent, although this is rare in those who don't have a history of addiction. The exact cause of drug abuse and dependence is not known. However, a person's genes, the action of the drug, peer pressure, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and environmental stress all can be factors. Peer pressure can lead to drug use or abuse, but at least half of those who become addicted have depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or another mental health problem. Children who grow up in an environment of illicit drug use may first see their parents using drugs. This may put them at a...
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...Michael Van Omen Ms. Fisher English 101 13341 Illegal Activities in School On average at least 19,000 people die because of the illicit use of drugs in the United States (1999 NHSDA). In the words of Global Publishing Inc. “Drugs are very popular among teens for many reasons. Some reasons are peer pressure, stress, boredom, bad friends, and a bad neighborhood.” (Global Publishing Inc.). There can be many reasons, but the most common causes for most teens to abuse drugs are because of the easy availability of the drug, an easy escape from the stress of every day life, and to escape the many pressures from friends and peers. One cause of drug use in teens is the availability. Teens come across drugs almost everyday in high school and middle school. Boston University studies say, “80% of high school students and 44% of middle school students have reported that they have personally seen drugs used by peers, possession of drugs, or the buying and selling of them.” (Boston University). Because of this alarmingly high popularity of drugs on school campuses it is not hard for a student to come across any sort of drug. All a student would have to do is find someone using drugs, and then they can get some also. The second main cause for drug use in teens is to escape from the stress of everyday life. Teens are usually stressed over a number of things. Some of the things are, getting accepted to college, worrying about maintaining a job, staying in relationships, and not least...
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...and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, he uses two teenagers’ scope to describe the life in Native American reservation in Spokane. The two boys, Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, tell the stories of conflicts with family members and struggles among their peers. In Indian education, Victor narratively tells the fights, discrimination and confusion he and his friends went through. High rate of violence, substance abuse and mental health problems appear among Indian students in the reservation schools. It is clear that the defective education system and school environment in Native American reservations leads to those severe issues. Violence is one of the key issues that appear in Native American reservation schools. In Indian Education from The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, the main character Victor witnessed a fight between Randy, the new Indian kid, and Steve. Randy was transferred from a white town. Within an hour after he first arrived his new school, Steve Flett picked on him by calling him names. Many students gathered around in the playground to witness the fight. During the fight, Steve kept demanding Randy to throw the first punch and eventually evoked Randy. Randy pinched a ball and broke Steve’s nose; the students are in awe for such behavior. Victor said Randy “taught me the most valuable lesson about living in the white world: Always throw the first punch.”[1] It is clear that Victor and other...
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...CDEV 461: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TOPIC: THE EMERGING TREND OF DRUG ABUSE AND PEDDLING IN EGERTON UNIVERSITY SUBMITED TO: DR. KAMURU MAKAL DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STUDIES. DATE OF SUBMISSION ABSTRACT Drug abuse is one of the top problems confronting the nation today especially among the youth. Incidences of drug and alcohol abuse and related antisocial behavior have tremendously increased in the resent years this has become matter of concern to the government, parents, NGOs and other relevant agencies. The need of drugs and alcohol in universities has birthed entrepreneurs in drug peddling. As a result many of these students want money badly and they are ready to venture in whatever business just so they can make ends meet. Alcohol is the most frequently abused drug followed by bang’ Miraa, tobacco and shisha. Egerton University In access to alcoholic drinks has been made easy due to the close proximity of bars and entertainment joints to the university gates. The factors that contribute to drug abuse and drug peddling include; the gap, association with drug using peers, source of quick cash, parental drug abuse, and antisocial behavior among others. Disadvantages of drug abuse and peddling include; imprisonment, addiction, lack of concentration, death, violence among others. TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents ABSTRACT ii TABLE OF CONTENTS iii 1.0INTRODUCTION 1 Background information 1 Trends 2 Statement of the problem 2 Significance...
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...A drug is a substance that modifies one or more of the body’s functions when it is consumed. Therefore, many common foods qualify as drugs. According to this definition, some of our most cherished beverages such as tea, coffee, and cola are drugs. However this paper focuses on drugs that are abused by teenagers. Surveys show that cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and inhalants are the most commonly used drugs among teenagers age thirteen through eighteen. One of the most startling findings from recent data is the degree to which to which teenagers are now involved in drug use. This drug abuse problem has gotten worse. Perhaps our society must hit “rock bottom” before changes can occur. According to the Michigan Institute for Social research, reported the results of their 1992 and 1993 national survey of nearly fifty thousand American high school students across the country ages thirteen through eighteen. Studies show that a gradual decrease in the use of most illicit drugs by younger people. The peak year for illicit drug use by high school seniors was in 1980. The 1992 and 1993 surveys reported an alarming shift, a modest but statistically significant increase in the use of several drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and inhalants. This survey attributes the increase in drug use to students’ perceived risk or danger in using a particular drug. In 1992, thirteen year-olds were less likely to see cocaine, crack and marijuana as dangerous. But in 1993, there was a significant...
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...Implications Of Drug Abuse Among Undergraduates: A Case Study Of The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Nigeria. Citation: Kobiowu, S.V. (2006) The Social And Academic Implications Of Drug Abuse Amonst Undergraduates: A Case Study of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation. 11 (1), 61-68 [pic] Abstract The researcher investigated the incidence of drug misuse among university undergraduates, with particular reference to Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. The study revealed that the academic pursuit of those undergraduates who engage in drug misuse is not unduly jeopardized, and that the abusers do not socialize extraordinarily, contrary to seemingly popular expectation. [pic] Introduction The term ‘drug’ in the main, would relate to “any substance that, when taken into a living organism, may modify one or more of its functions”, while abuse’ implies “a particular application of a drug more destructive than constructive for society, or the individual”. One may be hooked emotionally and psychologically, and may have a physical dependence, where one has a drug addiction problem, whether to a legal or illegal drug, there is a craving for it. The individual wants to use the drug again and again, and if it is stopped, there are usually unpleasant physical reactions. While it is not everyone who uses drug that becomes...
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...Drugs and College Students Victoria Lyles-Savage Professor Stone SOW 301-01 Drugs and College Student In today’s society there are a number of college students and teens, who misuse prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons along with street drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, heroin and steroids. Drugs and alcohol use on college campuses is universal. This has been an epidemic that has grown across the United States. According to Yusko,Buckman, White, and Pandina; alcohol and drug use in college is one of the more serious problems faced by colleges today .Another study stated that 90 percent of teens said they have used alcohol, over 50 percent have used marijuana, 17 percent used cocaine and 13 percent have used some form of hallucinogenic drug. Athletes are at risk to drug use because of the increased physical demand of athletics and heightens stress and time constraints placed upon them by fulfilling the dual role of being an athlete and student (Yusko, Buckman, White, Pandina, 2008). Peer pressure in itself is an epidemic and strongly impacts nonathletic individuals as well. The use of prescriptions drugs for nonmedical use is higher than are use of cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, ecstasy, and inhalants all combined. Prescription Opioids result in more drug abuse deaths than both cocaine and heroin combined (Katelyn Rozenbroek& Rothstein, 2011).There are a lot of factors that drive teens and college students to turn to drugs and alcohol. The highest rates of...
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...A drug is a substance that alters the mind, body or both. Drug use is the increasing problem among teenagers in colleges today. Most drug use begins in the preteen and teenage years, these years most crucial in the maturation process. Today children are subjected to all sorts of situations both good and bad. School systems are much more difficult to deal with nowadays. Most people from older generations still think that school is simple you go to class, go to lunch, bring home your homework and that’s it. This however is not the case anymore. Drugs are making their presence in schools more and more and it is becoming a very big problem. There are more steps that can be taken to help stop present juvenile drug abusers as well as prevent other children from even beginning. For example, programs should be set up for the students, something that will actually interest more students. There should also be support groups for parents who feel lost as to what they should do to guide their children. In 2007 according to the U.S. Census Bureau there were approximately 41,738 children between the ages of 10 and 19 living in the United States. In the same year according to the same source there were 160,410 drug related arrests in the United States involving children between the ages of 10 and 19. This includes possession charges and dealing charges. Keeping in mind that there are far fewer children than criminal arrests, this means that there are some children who get repeated offenses...
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...The Drug Abuse Epidemic and Today’s Teenagers Drug abuse among teenagers has been an issue since the 1980’s when programs such as D.A.R.E., (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), were implemented. Using the slogan “Just Say No”, the program trained school officials and police officers to teach techniques and children and adolescents effective ways to resist experimenting with all drugs, including tobacco and alcohol. While there has been some success, this epidemic has become a major problem in today’s society that is not getting better due to the availability of prescription and over the counter medications, continued funding cuts for athletics and other extra-curricular activities and the increase in teenagers being left unsupervised. The availability of prescription and over the counter medications has made abuse easier among teens. Many parents do not even realize the dangers that are in their own medicine cabinets. “In 2011, 22% of 12th graders indicated misuse of a prescription drug without medical supervision in their lifetime; and 15% over the past year.” During that same time, one in 12 high school seniors reported that in the past year they had obtained the prescription pain reliever Vicodin, and one in 20 high school seniors used OxyContin for non-medical uses. And 70% of those teens surveyed had stated they obtained them from family and friends. (“Prescription” 2011). “Enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult around-the-clock...
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...Gil Kerlikowske National Drug Control Policy Director White House Administration Presented by Ethan George Student of business management April 10, 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS Stimulating the Severity of Stimulants…………………………………………………………1 Memorandum…………………………………………………………………………………….3 Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………...4 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………5 Purpose of the Report ………………………………………………………………………...…...5 What are Stimulants?.......................................................................................................................5 Stimulants and ADHD…………………………………………………………………………….5 The Problem and Causes……………………………………………………………………..….6 Chart 1…………………………………………………………………………………..…………6 Table 1…………………………………………………………………………………………….7 Chart 2……………………………………………………………………………………………..7 Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants……………………………………………………8 Contrary Findings……………………………………………………………..…………………8 Table 2…………………………………………………………………………………………….9 The Danger of Prescription Stimulants……...…………………………………………………9 Short Term Side Effects……………………………………………………………………….…10 Continual Use Side Effects………………………………………………………………………10 Conclusion……….……………………………………………………………..………….........10 Works Cited……………………………………………………………………………………..11 Memorandum Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to provide insight to the problem of the rise in use of prescription stimulants in college students. The nonmedical use of these...
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...Public Policy: Prescription Drug Abuse According to the National Center for Health Statistics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1999 and 2007, there has been a 402% increase in the number of prescription opioid pain relievers consumed by the U.S. public. From 1999 to 2007, the rise in prescription drug overdoses in the U.S. has increased by an astounding 17,000 and the deaths have increased from three deaths per 100,000 population to nine deaths per 100,000 (Chen, Hedegaard, and Warner). There are many experts declaring that there is an epidemic in regards to the amount of prescription drug abuse in America; others believe that the epidemic is a myth. But whether or not there is, the statistics are alarming. In order to...
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...Treatments for Adolescent Substance Abuse Substance abuse is no stranger to today’s society. In fact, substance abuse has been an issue for many, many years now. A somewhat recent issue with substance abuse is that adolescents are becoming more involved. Teenagers, in particular, are more vulnerable to experiment with drugs and alcohol. With adolescents being introduced to such harmful substances it can lead to many problems. Not only does substance abuse pose issues with social problems, it also poses issues with educational issues, and it may even lead to death. While there are many problems with adolescent substance abuse, there are ways to solve this prevailing issue. Toddlers and young children are completely dependent on their parents while teenagers are going through different phases in which they are trying to transition into adulthood. Often detrimental stimuli are being introduced and adolescents are more prone to be susceptible to give in peer pressure because the judging process within the brain is not fully developed. (Kirst-Ashman, 2013). With this being said, the actions of teenagers are mainly based on the people that they hang out with. Therefore, if teenagers are around other teenagers that are smoking, drinking, or using other substances then they are more likely to try those substances as well. While a teenager’s peers have a lot to do with the actions they take other factors can lead to substance abuse too. Gangs have been a huge issue in...
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...Abstract Smoking, drinking, and drug abuse creates a great interest in the society and the usual victims are the students. Those students are in the middle of puberty and because of different influential factors, they tend to abuse their freedom. The study has an objective to identify the effects of this abuse and set another push for the prevention strategies. The applied method of the study is the utilization of the comparative case studies that is very beneficial to the current research. The results are very alarming. Because of the reasons that usually involves the family; the student’s traditional aim to finish school is affected. Still, there are educator and organizations that aims to provide the preventive measures to secure the future of the students. Introduction Smoking is dangerous. Drinking is prohibited. And using drugs is big “no”. Most of the adults are aware about their bad habits on smoking, drinking, and using drugs. Most of the adults are behind bars because of the committed crimes from the influence of alcohol and drugs. And most of the adults are lying in the hospital bed because of lung cancer they gained from cigarette smoking. These are the consequences that faced mostly of the adults and the students are not safe under the influence of smoking, alcohol, and drugs. Background of the Study and Problem Statement In today, smoking habit is very common to the students. Sometimes, they do it outside the campus. While the others are drinking after...
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...Executive Summary: This study examined the types of drugs students in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet abuse. The participants were 10 university students drawn from different departments of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet for case study. Case study method with purposive sampling and qualitative approach has been used to conduct the study.The intent of this study was to investigate the reasons that influence to drug abuse among the university students in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet. The analyses yielded the following results: students in the university abuse drugs such as tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, syrup, slipping tablet, Yabba, heroin so on.Students use drugs mostly everyday most of the narcotics.Students use drugs to feel good, to keep awakeand to sleep. This study found that most of the addicted students do not suffer for taking drugs. Taking drugs do not bring negative impact on their study; students have no psychological or physiological illness becauseof drugs. Based on these findings, the study recommends police and customs control, family support, friends’ supports, prohibition of drug use, compulsory treatment of drug addicts as primary solution to reduce the rate of drug addiction.The study also recommends among others the need to organize awareness programmes in our campus to educate students that drugs can alter brain circuitry, which will affect their learning; and the university authorities...
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...teenagers have probably explored with alcohol use in high school before college. The problem with underage drinking is a problem throughout all high school and colleges around the country. A lot of people don’t understand the consequences or the impact it can have on their lives, as they get older. Most of the time parents are unaware of the risks that their children face when they are involved in underage drinking. According to the National Survey on Drug Use, it is approximated that 24% of the population between the ages of 12 through 20 have engaged in underage drinking. Medical Experts say that alcohol can be used to increase metabolism and also helps with digestion. Despite the fact that it is against the law for college and high school students to consume alcohol, there is a large amount of teenagers experiencing the usage of alcohol. Even though it is said to be favorable, too much consumption has led to negative result and side effects. It is apparent that teenage alcohol abuses are basic problems that need to be taken up in society by our leaders, advisers and as well as the parents. Many people ask this question everyday, “Why do teenagers take prescription drugs?” Well most of the time teens wrongly believe that these drugs are more safe than regular drugs mainly because they are accessible to them from home or from friends. Breaking away from reality and being bored are the main reasons that teenagers abuse drugs. Peer pressure to continue friendships and relationships...
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