The Effects of Drug Abuse on Society and Its Possible Solutions

Drug abuse is a problem the world over. It is estimated that about 0.6% of the world’s population are problem drug users and drug abuse is responsible for about 2.5 million deaths per year (Chakravarthy, 2013). Add to this overall cost identified with treating drug misuse all out $200-$250 billion and it is clear that we have a problem on our hands. This essay will look at some of the effects of drug use on society and suggests some solutions to the problem.

According to a study by a team of researchers led by Annabel Boys (2001), several reasons may be cited for drug abuse with relaxation, keeping awake, getting intoxicated, enhancing activity and alleviating depression ranking in the 80th and 90th percentage regarding the number of sampled drug users who used them. There was another study reviewed by Chakravarthy (2013) which cites adverse childhood circumstances as increasing the risk factor for drug abuse. These circumstances include domestic violence, drug abuse in the family and child molestation among others. A combination of any of these factors may be cited for each individual drug use case and acknowledging them is central to being able to develop treatment and prevention methods that may help to reduce these numbers.

While taking the issue to be an outbreak, I agree with Heyman’s assertion that drug abuse is a choice and not a disease (2009). In his article, he reviews different research that shows that only under 25% of problem drug users seek help. This is corroborated by Chakravarthy (2013) who estimates this number at 20%. Heyman also points out that a significant number of drug users quit which means that it is not a disease as one cannot simply quit a disease. Heyman demonstrates that a significant number of those who quit drug abuse do so due to the availability of an alternative and therefore suggests that all treatment and prevention methods should be aimed at identifying reasons for drug abuse and targeting them with alternative solutions to these problems as they lead to a reduction in drug abuse numbers.

The first approach is to increase police manpower and powers to stop dealers and to enforce the law. However, the main target should be the user. Families and counselors need to talk to children and people at risk. Chalkravarthy (2013) approaches to the real-life experience by identifying the available social structures that may support involvement through the identification of risk factors in teenagers and I believe this model works as well in adults. Chakravarthy (2013) suggests the use of family members and educators to lead drug addicted will be worthy. For adults, authority figures such as family elders or support group leaders can be drafted in to help in reinforcing the availability of alternatives and this reducing drug abuse rates across the board.

In conclusion, this is an issue that will require coordinated effort of governments, society and other authorities which is not always easy. Considering this concession, I believe the best way to approach the drug abuse problem would be using the constitution that will guide the combined activities of the different people involved. I would finish this essay by encouraging the contribution of entryway bunches in driving the requirement for administrative change to battle this hazard generally successfully.

References

1. Boys, A., Marsden, J., & Strang, J. (2001). Understanding reasons for drug use amongst young people: a functional perspective. Health education research, 16(4), 457-469. https:%2F%2Facademic.oup.com%2Fher%2Farticle%2F16%2F4%2F457%2F558793&sig=2c64f59e98571310ee84bef65c0243432ce2050cb36be891482ae60a9a103076
2. Chakravarthy, B., Shah, S., & Lotfipour, S. (2013). Adolescent drug abuse-Awareness & prevention. The Indian journal of medical research, 137(6), 1021. https:%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC3734705%2F&sig=4779a7dde0f409635e12627a2eaee7f77d7257f4fd02c0cbf7982a484dc92c40
3. Heyman, G. M. (2009). Addiction: A disorder of choice. Harvard University Press.