Drug abuse is among the most sensitive issues in the modern society. There are numerous implications of drugs abuse in the short terms and also in the long-run. Despite the continued efforts by different stakeholders to alleviate the challenge of drug abuse, it is still rampant in the society. In line with these perspectives, it is essential to assess the causes, implications, and ramifications of drug abuse in the society. Additionally, it is massively beneficial to examine the various frameworks which may help in the alleviation of this challenge from the society. This analysis narrows down on the social challenge of drug abuse while putting the different dimensions of the challenge into perspective. Additionally, the analysis encompasses an assessment of past studies as pertains to the topic. The framework for literature review is vital in terms of integrating previous findings into the modern-day challenges.
Problem Statement
Drug abuse encompasses the use of non-prescriptive drugs largely for recreational purposes or due to addiction. This is a massive social challenge that has extensive ramifications upon the users and also on other members of the society. Firstly, it is extremely pertinent to evaluate the consequences of drug abuse on the user. An individual who abuses drugs exposes himself to numerous risks that can undermine his health. For instance, the extensive consumption of liquor affects can cause liver complications.
Another outstanding health ramification of drug abuse pertains to lung cancer (Smith, 2010). This largely hampers the health of an individual who smokes tobacco. In essence, tobacco has hundreds of chemical components which are capable of hampering an individual’s health system. In addition to lung cancer, tobacco can also cause cardiovascular complications. Such health complications can weaken the entire body system of an individual. Drug abuse has the inherent capacity to undermine the reasoning or cognitive abilities of individuals. This occurs when an individual abuses certain drugs for a long time. For instance, cocaine can easily incapacitate the functioning of an individual’s memory. Apart from health complications, drug abuse is a significant cause of moral degradation in the society (Henderson, 2012). A large percentage of criminals have direct or indirect connections to drug abuse. Drug cartels use gangs and other criminal groupings to perpetrate their activities. Consequently, the abuse of drugs is a critical factor with regard to the degradation of morals in the society.
Article Analysis
Drug use during pregnancy
This article focuses on the various implications of abusing drugs when a woman is expectant. The article is extremely insightful with regard to how drugs derail the development of the unborn fetus. Most of the birth defects in newly-born children can be attributed to the effects of drugs. Substances such as nicotine in tobacco hamper the normal development process of the fetus. The author highlights drug abuse as among the most sensitive sociological issues in the 21st Century (Smith, 2010). Consequently, expectant mothers must shun drugs in order to protect the wellbeing of future generations.
Malnutrition and treatment history
In this article, Henderson (2012) examines some of the best approaches towards addressing the problem of substance abuse among the youth. Based on the article, adolescents and the youth are at great risk of falling into the murky trap of drug abuse. This is largely because of peer influence, the media, and other forms of exposure (Henderson, 2012). In order to address the challenge, adolescents must be enlightened about the ramifications of drug abuse. Additionally, the youth must be given ample motivation in order to quit substance abuse.
Parallel Demand
In this article, Rynes (2013) focuses on the different ways in which adolescents can be assisted to quit drugs. As a serious issue within the modern society, drug abuse has wrecked the lives of many adolescents. Most of these teenagers end up in gangs while others drop out of school. According to the author, family therapy can help immensely in addressing this challenge (Rynes, 2013). This encompasses an active role by family members in assisting adolescents to quit drugs.
Conclusion
Although the issue of drug abuse is massively challenging, numerous alternatives for handling it are available. Firstly, public education can help immensely in enlightening people about the negative implications of substance abuse. This is mainly because some people are ignorant and do not have adequate information pertaining to drug abuse. Consequently, public enlightenment initiatives are vital in the alleviation of the challenge of substance abuse. Apart from education, another crucial aspect pertaining to handling the problem concerns the media. The media has extensively influenced the escalation of substance abuse in the society. This is because of the portrayal of drugs as an exemplary aspect of lifestyle in movies and dramas. Consequently, the media must be cautious about the nature of programs aired to different audiences. The family unit is also another influential platform with regard to the alleviation of substance abuse. For instance, parents must set the best precedent for the children. This helps in discouraging adolescents from venturing into the trap of drug abuse. Additionally, government authorities must establish effective policies for addressing the issue of substance abuse.
References
Henderson, J. L. (2013). Motivation and maltreatment theory, Psychology of Addictive Behavior, 26(1)
Rynes, K. N. (2013). Parallel demand- withdrawal processes in family therapy, Psychology of Addictive Behavior
Smith, C. (2010). Drug use during pregnancy, Psychology of Addictive Behavior, 24(4)
