The Terrible Social Problem of Drug Abuse

One social problem presented in the reading is drug abuse. Some people can be exposed to addictive substances and use them on a casual basis and not develop an addiction, while others can develop an addiction after just one use. Several risk factors contribute to whether a person develops a drug addiction such as; environmental factors, psychological components, genetics and other aspects. Drug addiction is responsible for many problems plaguing society. It is linked to several types of crime, tension in the system of healthcare and the lack of productivity and more problems in the workplace.

Drug abuse is a serious societal health problem that affects almost every community. Each year drug abuse causes millions of serious illnesses or injuries. Drug abuse often occurs alongside additional conditions like mental illness. While mental illness itself doesn’t cause drug abuse, the attempt to manage symptoms of an original problem can. If a person with depression frequently uses a drug to "get high" to get out of a depressive state, the depression can become a contributing factor to that drug being abused.

Genetic, environmental and psychiatric causes of drug abuse are possible. If a person has a genetic predisposition to drug abuse, it can indicate that one of the parents has abused a drug. This can create an unbalanced life or emotional or psychological problems. Additional factors or causes of drug abuse can arise from; a poor relationship with parents, the use of drugs by friends or peers, behavioral problems, poor achievement in school and its availability.

In the reading there are many societal consequences of drug use and abuse. The outcomes of abuse can include; its cost to children and family, its relationship with crime, the high price of the drug, physical and mental health cost and the cost of drug use on the environment. Drug abuse occurs when the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others. The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention reports that overcoming drug abuse is important because of the significant amount of money drug problems cost the American people every year. Drugs displayed all over television shows and movies which can make it appealing and exciting to the people watching, especially teens.

To help overcome this perception, it's a promising idea to talk and discuss what is being portrayed. Adolescents are exposed to drug use over the Internet and through other media outlets. Discussions with teens and their caregivers can help counter any positive imageries of drug abuse displayed in the mass media. Knowledge of the risk factors beginning treatment is the best solutions for drug abusers and users. The most effective treatments focus on the entire life of the person, such as their medical needs, psychological needs, relationship problems and work requests. A combination of behavioral therapy interventions and medications I feel is the most proposed solution to the societal problem of drug abuse.