...Drug Abuse and its Effects Introduction Drug abuse is a malaise that the U.S. has been fighting since a long time and still has a long way to go, whether it is the youth or the elderly, people from all age groups, all ethnicities and races, all regions and religions, seems to be afflicted with the enigma that is drug abuse. Internationally, over 200 million people chomp through some type of illicit drugs. From ordinary bhaang, Cannabis, opium to artificial “designer” drugs like ecstasy or MDMA, barbiturate derivatives, benzodiazepines like alprazolam, diazepam, amphetamines, Phenethylamine and Tryptamine derivatives; different forms of drugs are available for inducing excitation or jubilation. What is Drug Abuse Drug abuse is unprovoked, decorative utilization of any usual or synthetic substance or drug in an unapproved amount for performance augmentation and psychosomatic effect for non-therapeutic, non-medical use by an individual with methods neither approved nor supervised by medical professionals. The society as a whole has been at the suffering end of this habit for a long time. Drug abuse has made such deeper inlays in our lives that there seems to be no end to this menace. Drug abuse is a major public health problem that impacts society on multiple levels. Directly or indirectly, every community is affected by drug abuse and addiction, as is every family. Drugs take a tremendous toll on our society at many levels. People who use drugs incident a wide array...
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...2012 fifty-six percent of Americans think marijuana should be legalized and regulated like alcohol and tobacco. Today there are seventeen states that have legalized the use of medicinal marijuana, and two states that have legalized it for recreational use as well. However, in a world where millions of people have died from alcohol and tobacco use, do we really need another legal drug? Many would argue no, but when scientific studies have shown that marijuana is actually less harmful to a person than alcohol or tobacco, it makes no sense to keep it illegal. Marijuana prohibition is simply doing more harm than good to society. In the 1920s, alcohol prohibition led to the widespread proliferation of violent criminal organizations that corrupted politicians and law enforcement officials to illegally peddle booze to otherwise law-abiding citizens. Similarly, by keeping marijuana illegal for the last seventy-five years, we have created a black market that helps fuel some of the most dangerous terrorist organizations in the world. Legalizing marijuana could take the marijuana business out of the hands of drug cartels, by regulating and taxing marijuana in a similar manner to alcohol. It would allow adults twenty-one and older to possess a limited amount of marijuana and to purchase it at stores licensed by the state. Many parents worry that if marijuana was made legal and regulated like alcohol, it would be easier for their kid to obtain. Colorado, where marijuana is legal for recreational...
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...Code Date Psychology Drug Abuse Introduction The aim of this research paper is to discuss contributions offered by anthropology especially, ethnography in the study of addiction and recovery basing arguments from the book, ‘Anthropology of Addiction and Recovery’. The paper further lists the criteria for substance use disorder and thereafter gives an explanation to the negative impacts of alcohol on Native American nations. Finally, the paper will show detailed information on how specific cultural knowledge was used to market cigarettes. Four specific contributions that anthropology, especially ethnography, has offered in the study of addiction and recovery. Ethnography is the study of people, culture and how the environmental and cultural factors affect values and behaviors of a person or groups of people in a social setup. A study of ethnography conducted outside United States of America reveals that the number of drug ethnographies has grown steadily since 1960s because many social issues are associated with drug use. Ethnography illustrates that drug use is not one phenomenon, but many since specific drug is used in specific situations. According to Glasser (2012), Ethnography clarifies the different implications of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in the life of an individual. According to Glasser, Ethnography also explains the psychological and physiological implications of the use of such drugs. Ethnography further indicates that drugs are used within a subculture...
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...causes the highest economic loss among all diseases. It has been reported by the American Cancer Society and LiveStrong (2010) that approximately 7.6 million mortality of cancer was reckoned and an economic loss of $895 billion was taken by it universally in 2008. In addition, it is projected that the aggregate amount of cases of cancer in developing countries will rise by 73% within 2000 and 2020. (International Journal for Equity in Health, 2005) These shows cancer is a disease bringing out a huge burden to the society. This is unaffordable if this situation remains. Below are causes of cancer in economic, environmental, social and personal aspect respectively. Economic: There are mainly two economic factors leading to cancer. The first reason is the poverty problem of countries. It is reported by Marmot, M. (2005) that poverty is harmful to health since it mainly leads to the problems of having unclean water and unhealthy diet of these places. Especially for developing nations, an enormous number of children died annually due to the lack of clean water and sufficient hygiene. (INCTR, 2013) In addition, it has been reported by INCTR (2013) that governments are not willing to invest and provide funds in the health field. In extreme case, only less than 10% of overall government spending is used on the health care level. Thus, citizens have poor health care welfare and result in the vicious cycle of poor well-being. Additionally, INCTR (2013)states that drug cost increased hugely...
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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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...Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: A Community Concern Introduction Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use on college and university campuses poses tremendous concern for parents, students, higher education professionals, governmental officials, and the general community. No school is immune to substance use and resulting adverse consequences. Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are the most commonly used drugs on college campuses, but this use encompasses drugs of varying forms including amphetamine, caffeine, cocaine, hallucinogen, inhalants, opioid, phencyclidine, sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, steroids, and polysubstances. An essential feature of substance abuse is a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to recurrent and clinically significant impairment or adverse consequences. Substance use and abuse are characterized by noted inefficiencies in life functioning, impaired relationships, high-risk behavior, and recurrent legal troubles. Substance dependency emerges from repeated use of the substance despite significant problems related to its use. Substance abuse appears to be etiologically linked to "complex interactions of genetic predisposition, psychological vulnerability, and sociocultural influences" (Archer and Cooper, p. 77). Extensive family history of addiction, poor self-esteem, negative emotional orientation, and few coping skills actively play a role in substance dependency. Skewed perceptions of social norms, peer values and behaviors, and pre-college...
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...arrests. Recent studies have demonstrated that blacks and Hispanics account for the majority of marijuana possession arrests in New York City, primarily for smoking marijuana in public view. Law enforcement has failed to demonstrate that marijuana laws can be enforced fairly without regard to race; far too often minorities are arrested for marijuana use while white/non-Hispanic Americans face a much lower risk of arrest. 8. A regulated, legal market in marijuana would reduce marijuana sales and use among teenagers, as well as reduce their exposure to other drugs in the illegal market. The illegality of marijuana makes it more valuable than if it were legal, providing opportunities for teenagers to make easy money selling it to their friends. If the excessive profits for marijuana sales were ended through legalization there would be less incentive for teens to sell it to one another. Teenage use of alcohol and tobacco remain serious public...
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...Drug Policies and Laws CRJ 212 4/28/11 Michael Hall The use of drugs in America is a consensual crime; meaning it involves individuals who commit the crimes willingly. Consensual crime enforcement is a highly debatable topic that attempts to enforce morals in which not all people believe. Scholars debate on which policies better benefit society, whether it is legalization, decriminalization, or restriction, and each have valid arguments. This is important to an American policing standpoint because law enforcement official are the one who have to enforce these policies on a daily basis. To first understand these positions on drugs we must look at their history and effects. A society with little to no drug use is rare in human history (Barkan, 2009). Drug use has occurred throughout history, and was very common in the United States in the late 18th century (2009). Natural drugs (tobacco, marijuana, ergot funguses, coca plants, poppy plants, etc.) and manufactured drugs (ecstasy, methamphetamine, derivatives of plants listed above, etc.) both serve or attempted to serve medical purposes in order to help people. Most people use drugs at one time or another and many frequently use them; aspirin, tobacco, and caffeine are just a few common ones used. In the American society there are “good” (legal) drugs which are socially acceptable, and “bad” (illegal) drugs which are socially unacceptable. Both “good” and “bad” drugs can cause psychological and physical dependence. It is...
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...Economics of Decriminalization or Legalization of Cannabis Introduction Capitalism: an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a few markets. This unique system allows for a merchant to market just about any product to the masses dependent on a public opinion of the commodity, legality, availability, and profitability. Some commodities, although carrying high demand are regulated heavily and sometimes even ban from the market place for reasons pertaining to public safety. Others, however, showing to be a health hazard are still allowed to remain on the market. This definition is according to Merriam-Webster.com. This paper will focus on the economics of cannabis and how by its decriminalization, or legalization, it can be a profitable commodity in the marketplace by the following. Providing an overview of cannabis and how political games have caused an unearned negative public opinion on the commodity. Listing arguments that support the claim that by legalizing this commodity not only crime rates in general, but violent crime rates, will drop noticeably if not substantially providing a savings in the cost of enforcing and prosecuting such crimes. And, that by decriminalization, the federal government can regulate this commodity much like alcohol and tobacco providing new sources...
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...HIV/AIDS & DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE 11TH MARCH 2016 1.Drugs and substance abuse in Kenya as in other countries permeates every sphere of the society and, indeed, threatens the very fabric of nationhood. As further stated ; HIV and AIDs in the Kenya context as a socio-economic and cultural issue. * Human capacity crisis e.g. Poverty * Slow economic growth * Chronic food security * Reduced life expectancy * Enhanced gender inequality as females are affected more than the male counterparts * Stigma, wife inheritance, FGM, early marriages, polygamy The causes of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. * Stress * Genetic predisposition * Socio-cultural environment * Easy access, poor/ lack of role models * Rebellion against family, traditional values * Lack of information/education * Poor parenting * Peer pressure, experimentation, curiosity The following are the Effects of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. * Social impact (Crime, GBV, breakdown in the social cultural norms, dysfunctional families/ separation/ divorce, child trafficking, immorality, orphans, high number of dependents, diseases, accidents, school unrest) * Economic impact (high poverty levels, high medical costs, unproductivity, overburdening of service provision , diversion of essential resources, economic crises such as bribery, corruption and money laundering) * Political impact – Breakdown of law and order, rise in vigilante groups and organized crimes...
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...The Salvation Army Caribbean Territorial Training College Cadet Joshua Alexander Poyser Topic: Drug Use & Abuse Drug abuse is the excessive and self- damaging use of habit forming drugs/ substances resulting in addiction or dependence and serious physiological and/or psychological harm. Countries and regions across the world have struggled with the use and abuse of drugs within its populace, the Caribbean being no exception. In some instances these practices have led to criminal activities and violence, especially gang- related violence. Drug abuse usually starts with mere experimentation and develops into social exclusion, degradation of family values, greed, stress, and inadequate life and social skills. The consequence of illicit drug use typically extends to crime related instability and insecurity, the creation of health challenges and can even contribute to the spread of diseases such as HIV that impacts both social and economic development. History Since the dawn of history, humans have sought ways to relieve the daily strains of life, bringing forth and making popular the practice of ‘substance abuse’. The ancient people of Mesopotamia as well as those of Ancient Greece, Rome, India, Assyria, Etc. produced beer and opium for recreational uses which was surely a form of drug abuse but was not seen as such as it was socially acceptable at the time. Over the Atlantic, the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans experimented with ‘peyote’, ‘cannabis’ and ‘mescaline’ (all plants...
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...that law makers have to consider because of its huge impact on society. Marijuana is a drug made from a plant called cannibus sativa. It is inhaled and it is also eaten. Some side effects of consuming marijuana are becoming relaxed, alters your mood, make you hungry, heightened sensory awareness and altered perceptions. Personally I’ve been around people who have smoked marijuana and I’ve never seen anyone get angry, steal or try to harm someone while under the influence. I would consider this a safe drug. Marijuana is a good substance to consume, studies from www.brown.edu show that only a small percentage of users become addicted. However, people use the drug frequently can build up a strong tolerance. Another website I found, www.well.com informs people about marijuana, and its effects on the human body. One thing that particularly stood out for me was that it says that “marijuana smoke has been found to contain more cancer-causing agents than is found in tobacco smoke.” I am for legalizing marijuana but I don’t believe it should be consumed in public places and there should be marijuana smoking designated areas just as there is tobacco smoking designated areas because everyone doesn’t want to get high and if it is true that marijuana smoke has more cancer causing agents than tobacco, it should be the person’s option to be in an area in which marijuana is consumed. I don’t agree with people smoking tobacco in public places. The person smoking is not being harmed...
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...with Drugs . The effect of a drug is caused solely by its pharmacological properties and effects. . Some drugs are instantly addictive . The gateway/ stepping stone theory - the use of 1 drug leads to the use of other more dangerous drugs What are drugs ? Krivanek's definition : Drugs are substances that are introduced into the body knowingly but not as food. Therefore illicit drugs, legal recreational drugs and legal but regulated pharmaceutical drugs that aren't recreational at all. - Whether if a drug is considered bad and is prohibited depends on the culture of the society in a particular period. What is culture ? The definition of culture = Through Roger keesing and Andrew Strathern's definition it is a system of shared ideas, rules and meanings that underlie and are expressed in the ways that human live. - This includes : law, beliefs, political economy, media and popular culture - this perceives ideas about what is normal and abnormal to society. " Culture is always changing and contested, not unified" Enthography as a method for studying drug use It is a process of observing, recoding and describing other peoples way of life through intimate participation the community being studied". - Participation observation, involving yourself in the life of the community , taking up the life of the other person, observing their actions, asking questions and learning what questions to ask. Zinberg's theory of drug use Effect of drug use...
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...Economic Benefits of Cannabis Legalization * Excise Taxes $2.2 - $6.4 Billion * Sales Taxes $0.2 - $1.3 Billion * Enforcement Savings $6 - $9 Billion * Hemp Industry $6 - $10 Billion * Others: Spinoff industries, Reduced hard-drug and alcohol abuse untaxed free market In an untaxed free market, cannabis ought to be as cheap as other leaf crops. Bulk marijuana might reasonably retail at the price of other medicinal leaf herbs, around $.75 -$1.50 an ounce. Premium grades might be compared to fine teas, which range up to $2 per ounce, or to pipe tobacco, which retails for $1.25-$2.00. High grade domestic sinsemilla might however cost somewhat more, due to the relatively lower yield of cannabis compared to tea and tobacco, and the high level of U.S. labor costs. Cultivation expert Ed Rosenthal estimates that domestic labor costs could be as high as $5 per ounce. Advertisements from medical catalogs indicate that cannabis cost about $2.50-$5 per pound in 1929-30. [01] Adjusting for inflation, this works out to $1.20-$2.40 per ounce, a breathtaking 100- to 300-fold reduction from today's illicit prices, which range from $100- $200 per ounce for low-grade Mexican to $400- $600 per ounce for high-grade sinsemilla. Abstract: Marijuana legalization offers an important advantage over decriminalization in that it allows for legal distribution and taxation of cannabis. In the absence of taxation, the free market price of legal marijuana would be extremely low,...
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...2008 Lake County Epidemiological Profile The Consumption and Consequences of Alcohol & Other Drugs in Lake County, Indiana Produced by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Prosecutor’s Office & Lake County Drug Free Alliance The Study Was Funded By the State of Indiana Via a Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) State Incentive Grant (SIG) The Grant is Being Administered Under the Supervision of the Co-Chairs, Sheriff Roy Dominguez and Prosecutor, Bernard A. Carter John Ayre Key Jr., Chief of Staff With Support from Calumet College of Saint Joseph’s Public Safety Institute Completed Monday, March 18, 2008 Our Vision: A Healthy, Safe and Drug-Free County Encouraging and Enhancing Creativity and Productivity Among All Citizens Our Mission: To Eliminate Substance Abuse In Lake County This document is written for key community stakeholders and policymakers and presents data and analysis to support the development of a county-wide systemic framework and approach to reducing alcohol use and abuse and eliminating drug use in Lake County, Indiana. This document and the efforts described herein were funded through a Strategic Prevention Framework...
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