Drug Abuse Essay

Submitted By llg922
Words: 1089
Pages: 5
Open Document
Substance abuse is a condition involving the use of mind altering drugs or products in excessive or reckless use. These substances come in many forms, such as prescription drugs, illicit drugs and probably the most common, alcohol. In the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it was reported that 152 million Americans over the age of 12 used illicit drugs and drink alcohol. Of those 152 million, 23 million need some sort of treatment for substance abuse but only 2.6 million actually receive it. These numbers are undeniably astronomical considering the amount of preventive measures that are marketed on a daily basis. From billboards, to commercials to warning labels and preventive programs, there could never be “too many” awareness or preventive measures taken to address this epidemic. Although it is very prevalent in society what substance abuse effects can have on an individual, it is still classified as a disease; therefore the need for some sort treatment is necessary. Some diseases can be avoided through the proper preventive measures and programs. These programs have been implemented all over the nation in a combination of family, school or community based. The most successful preventative programs for preventing substance abuse present realistic expectations, set specific goals and offer age and culturally appropriate information. Although there are thousands of programs that exist, not all are considered successful or effective.
In 2011, the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) conducted long term research on drug abuse behaviors and the common elements of effective preventive programs. The research was conducted to assist in providing practical data when developing preventive programs. These programs are designed to target particular groups or settings, such as home, school or community. There is also an emphasis on populations at greater risks to include current abusers and non abusers. With these points at the forefront, NIDA came up with several principles that should be focused on to have successful outcomes in substance abuse prevention programs. I will highlight a few that will assist with explaining the difference between effective and non effective programs. The first principle is that Prevention programs should enhance protective factors and reverse or reduce risk factors. The probability of someone being at the risk of being a substance abuser is dependent upon the number and type of risks they are exposed to. These risks can affect their behavior at every age level. It is important to provide early intervention measures that focus on the social behaviors that can lead to substance abuse. A good portion of drug abusers are correlated with defiant attitudes and behaviors.
Another principle requires programs to address all forms of drug abuse. This would include but not limited to prescription, over-the-counter, licit and illicit drugs to include alcohol. Some drugs are more prevalent in certain communities than others, which bring us to our third and fourth principle which refers to addressing target areas and drugs focusing on the population audience based on age, gender and race. There should also be a focus on family and school based programs. The success rate is far greater when used in combination. When you focus on both, you maximize the potential for success. Although intervention can start as early infancy, school based programs begin around 5th or 6th grade throughout the highschool years.
As mentioned, there are thousands of prevention programs throughout the nation but not all are successful or effective. Next I will review a few programs that have been classified as effective or non-effective according to the Office of Justice Programs. The first program focusing adolescents in review is called “Taking Charge of Your Life (TCYL). This program involved 10 lessons in 7th grade and 7 booster lessons in 9th grade. This program was executed through the
Show More

Related Documents: Drug Abuse Essay

Prescription Drug Abuse

Another preventive measure to tackle the issue of prescription drug abuse is the regulation in monitoring the system of prescribers and individuals who receive the prescribing. Right now, the system lacks uniformity and scrutiny in the integration process of prescription medications among patients. This is often the root to overprescribing and wrongful prescriptions. Other than that, the current system needs more control in the management of medications. The government still has a huge gap in identifying…

Words 838 - Pages 4

DRUG ABUSE Essay

many teenagers take drugs? No matter what the race, gender or the age is many teenager are getting addicted to drugs. During high school year many teenagers are trying to figure out who they are in society. Figuring it out “who they are” is not easy. For many teenagers high school years are the worst times. During this time many teenagers try to do anything to cope their problems by taking drugs. The most important social issue studied in grade 9 english class is Drug abuse because it causes depression…

Words 348 - Pages 2

drug abuse Essay

Drug abuse is an issue that is attracting much attention and condemnation in the society. Drugs by simple definition include those in raw or unprocessed and those in finished or processed forms . Frustration in life due to factors like unemployment, disease, marital conflicts, broken home, dropping out from school among others could lead youths to drug taking while lack of stiff penalty for the culprits further goes a long way in encouraging it in the society. When those involved are not detained…

Words 556 - Pages 3

abuse on drugs Essay

other issues. More parents need to talk with their teens about the dangers of abusing Ritalin, Adderall and other prescription drugs, suggests a new study that finds discouraging trends on kids and drug use. When teens were asked about the last substance abuse conversation they had with their parents, just 14 percent said they talked about abusing a prescription drug, said the report released Tuesday by The Partnership at Drugfree.org. "For parents, it really comes down to not using the power…

Words 6457 - Pages 26

Essay on Drug Abuse

Krause 1 Drug Abuse People have been using drugs and “home remedies” to cure or lessen the effects of certain things. But then people realized that you have a different feeling when they take them. This leads to addictions and drug abuse. Today there are many drugs that are for the most part easy to get their hands on in this country. One popular drug in the US is marijuana. With some of the states legalizing the use of it, Mary Jane has been put into the national spotlight. The most common way to…

Words 487 - Pages 2

Drug Abuse Essay

Drug abuse in the U.S. has been a reoccurring issue dating back all the way from the 1930’s when marijuana, although not yet perceived as a danger, was still considered a gateway drug for heroin users. In today’s society, marijuana is still considered a social problem due to its increasing popularity, specifically ranging from high school to college students. Needless to say, marijuana is only one of the few narcotics affecting today’s youth. Students today are found abusing not only illegal but…

Words 2036 - Pages 9

Prescription Drug Abuse

average age for first time drug use is 13 ½ years old,” according to an article in the Boston Globe, “Parents Clueless About Kid’s Prescription Drug Abuse, State Survey Finds”.(2011) This is a shocking statistic. Children are often educated through schools, parents and media on the risks of drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamines and other popularized substances. However, prescription drugs are commonly left unnoticed. “Parents are often providing prescription drugs to their kids in an improper…

Words 707 - Pages 3

Prescription Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse Drug overdoses have killed over 112,000 Americans from May 2022 to May 2023. Addiction is a condition where people have a strong need for a substance, this could be alcohol, or drugs. Addiction is considered a disability or disease. Addiction came around in the early 20th century. Adolescence is a sensitive period for substance use. The use of drugs by adolescents has been associated with overestimating normal standards of drug use, specific motivations for drug use, and negative life…

Words 1038 - Pages 5

Drug Abuse Essay

the causes and effects of drug abuse? Many haven’t and the lack of knowledge has ruined many lives. Every year drug abuse has impacted millions of American families worldwide. Drug abuse is simply the over usage of drugs. People who typically abuse drugs are those who are addicted. Well, how does addiction link with drug abuse? The addiction of a drug can become so strategic that it takes over ones life, causing them to use everyday. With this over abundance of drug use the body get comfortable…

Words 311 - Pages 2

Adderall Drug Abuse

Abuse of cognitive enhancers proves rampant amongst teenagers and young-adults looking to gain an academic edge over their peers. High Adderall and Ritalin in colleges and high schools use demonstrates social pressures to use the amphetamines, and changes the way some students value their work. Students abuse these amphetamines in order to achieve a heightened state of focus. Increased regulation of neuro-enhancing drugs prevails as the only realistic solution to stifling this epidemic. The negative…

Words 1153 - Pages 5