Drug Abuse Argumentative Essay Example

were discovered in 1943. Illegally smuggled or domestically produced, most of the LSD sold on the streets varies greatly in quality and purity due to impurities and additives.

Street drugs like LSD are difficult for users to assess in terms of quality. Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian hemp, is made up of chopped leaves, stems, flowers and seeds. The chemicals found in this plant produce the intoxicating effects, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the most potent. These chemicals are found in the resinous substance within the plant.

The resin of the hemp plant is used to produce hashish, which is a potent drug. The quality and potency of hashish are dependent on the climate in which the plant is grown. In Latin America and Mexico, various preparation techniques are employed to produce Cannabis Sativa derivatives such as marijuana and hashish. While marijuana is preferred for consumption in the United States because it is easier to consume, hashish can be more compact and easier to smuggle.

Both the nervous system and heart are stimulated by nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, it temporarily increases heart rate and blood pressure. However, tar found in cigarette smoke has higher levels of cancer-causing substances than polluted air. These harmful compounds can cause respiratory problems and cancer.

Young people who inhale cigarette smoke with carbon monoxide may experience respiratory issues, such as persistent coughs and shortness of breath. This can result in decreased oxygen transportation ability in the bloodstream and arteriosclerosis, which are serious health concerns. On the other hand, sedatives depress the central nervous system.

Sedative-hypnotic drugs, which are also called tranquilizers or sleeping pills, have a nerve-calming

effect. There are three subcategories of this medication: barbiturates, non-barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. It is worth noting that while this text refers to these medications as "sedatives," barbiturates tend to be misused and abused more often than other types of sedatives. Furthermore, non-barbiturate drugs such as glulethimide and methaqualone are frequently abused.

The most commonly abused benzodiazepine is Valium or diazepam. Stimulants, including caffeine, amphetamines, and cocaine, increase alertness and activity by stimulating the central nervous system. While synthetic amphetamine stimulants are typically utilized to treat narcolepsy and minor brain damage in children, they may also be prescribed for temporary suppression of appetite.

Both caffeine and cocaine are natural stimulants found in coffee, tea, and coca leaves. Non-prescription remedies often use caffeine to enhance alertness and combat fatigue. However, the only legal medical usage of cocaine in this country is for regional anesthesia. In the early 1900s, various medicinal products as well as beverages like wine and soda contained cocaine despite its restricted medicinal applications today. South American Indians such as the Incas have been chewing on coca leaves for both spiritual and therapeutic reasons over centuries.

The prevalence of drug abuse can be attributed to different reasons such as personal issues, peer pressure, and enjoyment of the effects. The acceptance and accessibility of substances like alcohol and tobacco also play a role. In the Andes Mountains, workers use drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and opiates at high elevations to boost productivity by experiencing euphoria known as a "high".

While drugs like alcohol, barbiturates, and marijuana usually cause mild euphoria, nicotine has even less effect on mood. On the other hand, hallucinogens can alter one's perception of self and surroundings in

ways that some find pleasurable. People may experiment with drugs out of curiosity or a desire for excitement, while others use them to rebel against societal norms and values. However, substance abuse often arises from deep feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and other personal struggles.

Individuals who experience difficulties in facing life's challenges may turn to drug abuse as a coping mechanism due to various reasons, including distancing themselves from society. Such drug abusers typically seek instant gratification and may become easily discouraged, making it challenging for loved ones to notice the signs of drug abuse.

Individuals who abuse drugs often attempt to conceal their actions, which may be denoted by prolonged periods of absence from their residence, educational or occupational duties, or a drastic decline in their performance in such responsibilities. A sudden shift in character, comprising traits like irritability or nervousness, could also manifest as an effect of drug abuse. Almost all drugs that are subject to abuse have the capability to influence a person's conduct.

Intoxication, decreased muscle coordination, slurred speech and drowsiness are common effects of alcohol, inhalants and sedatives. Opiates can lead to absent-minded sleepiness while amphetamine and cocaine use causes talkativeness and restlessness. Silly behavior may result from marijuana use while hallucinogenic drugs may cause confusion or restlessness.

Psychologists state that chronic drug use leads to physical and psychological dependence, with the latter being a more significant concern for rehabilitating users. Developing tolerance requires higher doses for the same effect. Abrupt cessation causes painful withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, yawning, running eyes and nose, sweating, enlarged pupils, muscle twitching, vomiting diarrhea , loss of appetite and weight.

For centuries and millennia,

people have been slow to recognize the negative effects of substances. It took thousands of years to link alcohol with liver cirrhosis and many centuries before opium's addictive properties were understood. The Western World was also slow to acknowledge the dangers of cocaine, taking decades to do so. This trend of delayed recognition regarding the harmful effects of drugs continues today.

While some agents currently in use are believed to be safe, many are classified as harmful. However, it is important to be cautious about accepting claims of safety for certain agents. Comparisons can be made to historical instances where substances like alcohol, opium, and cocaine were considered safe but eventually proved to be dangerous. Our current era is often referred to as a drug-taking age, but this label may not be unique when viewed in a historical context. Those who defend drug use by pointing to the appropriate and limited use of antibiotics, tranquilizers, or anti-depressants by other people are using flawed logic.

The current era could be more appropriately labeled as the "age of miracles". Every day, we observe the miraculous recoveries provided by medicine, as well as the marvels of science and technology. It's reasonable to hope for a pill that can perform miracles, providing immediate relief from our pain, granting instant joy, rapid maturation, and instantaneous love. References: 1. Cohen, Sidney, M.

In 1969, McGraw-Hill Book Company in New York published "The Drug Dilemma" by D.

The book "Drugs" was published in 1967 by Time Incorporated in New York, NY. It was authored by Dr. Wesley C. Westman, with contributions from Modell, Walter and Lansing, Alfred.

, The books "The Drug Epidemic" by The

Dial Press and "Drug Use and Drug Abuse" by Geraldine Woods, published by Franklin Watts Press in New York in 1975, explore various aspects of drug use and addiction.

In 1979, a help guide titled "Drug Abuse and Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Effects" was created and is accessible online at www.helpguide.org as of November 16, 2007. The guide is available in both London, England and Toronto, Canada.

On November 16th, 2007, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) from the National Institute of Health (NIH) published an article on "Medline Plus" available at www.nida.nih.gov, which included online journals.

The book "Drug Abuse" by Roman Espyo was published by Greenhaven Press in San Diego, CA in 2002. Additionally, the "Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse" was authored by Marcel Dekker and published in New York, NY.

2007.