Drug Abuse Essay Example
Drug Abuse Essay Example

Drug Abuse Essay Example

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Drug Abuse Among American Teenagers

The problem of drug abuse is a major concern in the United States, especially among teenagers.

Approximately 40% of American teenagers, particularly in this age group, experience the negative consequences of drugs. These effects include health problems and DWIs, as well as highway accidents, arrests, and impaired performance at school and work. Teenagers engage in experimentation with various substances such as Alcohol, LSD, Marijuana, and Cigarettes. Many of these individuals come from broken families or have parents who are drug users themselves. They may also reside in unstable environments involving frequent moves. Additionally, their parents may face financial difficulties and be absent due to the necessity of making ends meet. However, even typical teenagers can develop substance abuse issues based on their social circle and family dynamics.

These teenager

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s resort to drugs because they lack other options. Their family members are rarely present, if at all. Some teens may have parents who are also involved in drug abuse, providing minimal to no attention to their children. They may have either left school or failed to meet the expected standards, leading them to feel worthless. Consequently, they turn to drugs, believing it will alleviate all their issues.

They quickly find like-minded friends who share their perspective on drugs. Now they have support, a sanctuary where they will not face rejection or criticism, a place where nothing else matters and every day feels favorable. However, this lifestyle eventually leads to their disintegration. The primary reason why many teenagers get involved in drugs is due to their low levels of inner and outer containment. Inner containment refers to one's personal beliefs and moral values.

During your youth, influentia

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figures such as parents play a crucial role in shaping your beliefs. However, the absence of guidance from these important individuals can increase the possibility of drug abuse. Conversely, external factors like the law, teachers, friends, and family contribute to a sense of external containment. When surrounded by people who consistently emphasize the detrimental effects of drugs, there is a reduced inclination to engage in drug use due to the fear of disappointing them. On the other hand, if you have limited individuals discouraging drug use in your life – for example, if you have dropped out of school – there is no deterrent against this behavior which results in an increased likelihood of consuming drugs.

Creating a solid social bond with parents, school, or church reduces the likelihood of engaging in deviant behaviors as individuals do not want to disappoint those who are significant to them. When someone lacks both internal and external control, they frequently feel low self-worth and a disconnection from society. In such cases, they might seek guidance from others or try to escape their situation.

Observing influential figures in their lives, such as parents and family members, can lead individuals to engage in deviant actions known as Anomie due to uncertainty about proper behavior. This is linked to the containment theory and the Differential Association theory which suggests that people acquire deviant behaviors like drug abuse.

During our formative years, parents play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of morality and constructing our perceived realities. If teenagers have parents who engage in drug-related activities, they may perceive such behavior as acceptable and feel justified in participating themselves. This is because if their

parents partake in drugs, they question why they shouldn't do the same. Alongside parental influence, friends also hold significant sway through the concept of Differential Association. When some of a teenager's peers are involved in drug use, they are more likely to succumb to peer pressure and become involved as well. The strong desire for acceptance drives them to go to great lengths, which is closely connected with Differential Reinforcement.

Reinforcement from peers influences a teenager's behavior, as exemplified by the scenario where a teen joins their friends in engaging in drug use and receives praise for it. This positive reinforcement motivates the teenager to continue with drug use to maintain the approval they receive. Another theory that can lead to deviant behavior or drug abuse in teenagers is known as labeling theory. In this theory, when a teenager is labeled as a drug abuser, they may continue using drugs because others treat them according to this label.

The teenager will observe others treating them in a certain manner, leading them to internalize and possibly adopt that behavior. This phenomenon, referred to as the Thomas Theorem, results in the label becoming a dominant influence in their life. Consequently, their actions become dictated by the expectations associated with the label, effectively establishing a master status for them to adhere to.

According to Merton, teenagers who are classified as "innovators" are drawn to drugs. These individuals have the same aspirations for success as their peers but opt for frowned upon approaches to achieve it. Their ultimate aim is happiness, and when confronted with obstacles like a dysfunctional family or depression, they may resort to drugs in order to attain happiness.

Teenagers

may resort to drugs as a result of societal oppression and limited economic opportunities. Certain teens are compelled into engaging in drug-related activities due to oppressive societies, while the economic system restricts access to lucrative employment prospects for some individuals. Consequently, this impacts the parents' ability to earn a substantial income, subsequently affecting these teenagers. When parents are unable to generate sufficient funds, they feel obligated to seek additional jobs in order to provide for their family.

When parents are not present in their children's lives, the children's ability to control their impulses and regulate their behavior decreases, resulting in an increase in deviant behavior. Do you understand? Hopefully... There are many factors that can contribute to teenagers using drugs, as mentioned earlier. However, it is possible to prevent these issues. The experiences within a family have a significant impact on the likelihood of young people developing drug-related problems. Building strong familial bonds and promoting effective communication between parents and children act as protective measures against the various social and emotional influences that lead to substance abuse.

Having conversations about drugs and their consequences with children can aid in lowering drug abuse rates in America. It is crucial for parents to identify signs of drug abuse and seek assistance when needed. Teenagers frequently encounter peer pressure to experiment with drugs; however, teaching them effective communication and decision-making abilities can empower them to resist this influence. Furthermore, instituting programs that encourage enjoyable activities without the use of drugs sends a clear message to teenagers that they can have fun without relying on substances.

The prevention of drug abuse is a crucial role of the school system, which is achieved

by implementing educational programs such as D.A.R.E. These programs aim to educate children about the consequences of drug abuse and keep them away from drugs. However, addressing this issue necessitates support not just from schools but also from parents, doctors, and counselors.

Churches offer support and resources for individuals struggling with drug abuse, including rehabilitation programs and information on drugs. They also organize drug-free activities and assist young people and families in identifying and addressing potential issues before they escalate into substance abuse problems. Conversely, local businesses play a vital role in prevention by sponsoring youth programs and providing resources to encourage a drug-free lifestyle among teenagers. Moreover, the mass media influences people's beliefs and attitudes towards alcohol and other drugs, both shaping them initially and reinforcing them over time.

The media plays a vital role in the prevention of drug abuse by reaching a wide audience. Radio and TV stations have the ability to cover news stories, conduct expert interviews, and broadcast public service messages that educate the community about effective methods of prevention. Personally, I firmly believe that actively participating in preventive measures is crucial for eradicating drug abuse.

There is concern over the rising use of illegal drugs, tobacco, and alcohol among young people. This increase puts them at a higher risk for lifelong dependency issues and health problems. Every day, around three thousand children start smoking cigarettes regularly, which could shorten the lifespan of about one-third of them. Research conducted by Columbia University’s Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reveals that individuals who smoke marijuana are eighty-five times more likely to use cocaine compared to those who have never tried marijuana. Additionally, there has

been a 150 percent increase in illicit drug use among eighth graders in the past five years.

Despite high drug use among young people, it has not reached the epidemic levels witnessed in the late 1970s. Reversing these worrisome trends is the primary challenge for drug policy. Commencing drug use at a young age frequently results in additional negative behaviors, including engaging in illegal activities linked to early sexual activity. Such behavior heightens the risks of undesired pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, as well as delinquency and entanglement with the criminal justice system. The overall utilization of illicit drugs continues to be a source of worry.

In 1995, the proportion of adolescents aged twelve to seventeen who utilized illegal drugs in the previous month was 10.9%, which indicates a significant rise compared to rates of 8.2% in 1994, 5.7% in 1993, and the all-time low of 5.3% in 1992. This downward trend reached its minimum point in 1992 after reaching a peak at 16.3% in 1979.

A study named Monitoring the Future conducted by the University of Michigan discovered that over half of all high school students engage in illicit drug use before graduating, following the year after reaching their lowest point. Nonetheless, cocaine consumption among young individuals is not widespread as only around 2% of twelfth graders were current users during the year of 1996.

Although the rate of cocaine use among young people was higher in 1996 compared to 1992, it was still lower than that of 1985. Twelfth graders showed an increase in experimenting with cocaine compared to 1992, but it remained significantly lower than the rate in 1985. However, eighth graders experienced a notable

rise in lifetime cocaine use over the past five years. The 1995 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicated a trend of younger age for first-time cocaine use, dropping from an average age of 23.3 years in 1990 to nineteen in 1994.

It is worth mentioning that heroin use is not prevalent among young individuals.

According to the 1996 Monitoring The Future study, heroin use among twelfth graders has decreased compared to 1995. In the past year, 1% of twelfth graders reported using heroin, while 0.5% reported recent use within thirty days. However, the survey revealed that the percentage of eighth and twelfth graders who had experimented with heroin at least once had doubled from 1991 to 1996, reaching 2.4% and 1.8% respectively.

The study also investigated marijuana use among young people.

Among young people in the country, marijuana use remains a significant issue. In 1996, approximately 25% of high school seniors used marijuana in the past month, while less than 10% engaged in any other illegal drug with similar frequency. Marijuana was more popular among seniors compared to any other illicit drug over the past year. Moreover, among twelve to seventeen-year-olds, marijuana accounts for the majority of the increase in illegal drug use. Between 1994 and 1995, there was a 37% increase in marijuana use among this age group, rising from 6% to 8.2%. Additionally, teenagers are starting to consume marijuana at a younger age.

The average age of initial use decreased from 17.8 years in 1987 to 16.3 years in 1994, and the average age of first drinking has declined to 15.9 years compared to an average of 17.4 years in 1987.

Approximately <25%> of tenth graders and one

third of twelfth graders state that they consume five or more drinks within a two-week span, thus making alcohol the main substance utilized by young individuals.

In addition, tobacco usage is widespread among youth.

Although the rate of adult smoking has decreased, there is a growing trend of tobacco product usage among American youth. In 1996, more than one-third of high school seniors were smokers, with over 20% smoking on a daily basis - higher percentages than any time since the 1970s. Furthermore, illicit drug use among young individuals reveals that stimulants like methamphetamine are the second most popular after marijuana. Approximately 5% of high school students consume stimulants monthly, and within the past year, this figure has increased to 10%.

In 1996, the use of inhalants, which is the third-most-common illicit substance, declined among eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders. However, 248.8 percent of twelfth graders reported using LSD in the past year.

The social and health costs associated with illicit drug use are enormous, totaling approximately $66.9 billion for the nation. This means that every man, woman, and child in America pays nearly $1,000 annually to cover expenses related to unnecessary healthcare, increased law enforcement efforts, auto accidents, crime rates, and lost productivity caused by substance abuse.

Illicit drug use has negative effects on families, businesses, neighborhoods, as well as disrupting education and burdening criminal justice systems <, health,  and social service systems.

Currently, there is a record high number of drug-related medical emergencies.

The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) examines drug-related incidents in hospital emergency rooms to gain insight into the drug problem in America. In 1995, DAWN estimated a total of 531,800 drug-related episodes, slightly surpassing the

previous year's count of 518,500. This marked the first time in five years that there was no noticeable increase in drug-related emergency department incidents. While cocaine-related incidents remained at an all-time high, there was a significant 124 percent rise in heroin-related emergencies from 1990 to 1995. The number of methamphetamine-related episodes showed no significant change between 1994 and 1995; however, there was a substantial increase from five thousand to nearly eighteen thousand between 1991 and 1994.

A significant portion of deaths linked to illegal drugs occurs in individuals aged thirty to thirty-nine, a demographic group that has higher rates of chronic issues resulting from drug abuse. Men and black individuals have higher overall rates of drug-related deaths compared to women and white individuals.28 The primary cause for the rapid increase in deaths related to illegal drugs is AIDS, with injecting drug users and their sexual partners accounting for over 33 percent of new AIDS cases. The consequences of heroin addiction are becoming increasingly evident, as there has been a notable surge in heroin-related deaths in certain cities between 1993 and 1994 (the most recent available statistics). Heroin fatalities experienced a 34 percent increase in Phoenix, a 29 percent increase in Denver, and a 25 percent increase in New Orleans.

Between 1990 and 1995, the number of emergency room mentions related to heroin increased from 34,000 to 76,023. Additionally, a survey conducted from 1992 to 1993 found that approximately 5.5 percent of pregnant women, equating to around 221,000 women, used illicit drugs at least once during their pregnancy. Specifically, marijuana was used by about 2.9 percent (119,000 women) and cocaine was used by about 1.1 percent (45,000 women).

Babies born to drug-abusing mothers may experience withdrawal symptoms or have other health issues at birth. Recent studies show that infants exposed to drugs may suffer from poor development due to the stress caused by the mother's drug use. These children face a double challenge as they are biologically vulnerable due to prenatal drug exposure and may also suffer from inadequate care and multiple separations resulting from the mother's drug-focused lifestyle.

Maternal substance abuse is linked to a higher chance of infant mortality or the death of the child within the first year of life. A detailed investigation on infant mortality was conducted on women receiving Medicaid in Washington state from 1988 to 1990. The study uncovered an infant mortality rate of 14.9 per one thousand births for substance-abusing women, while women on Medicaid who did not abuse substances had a rate of 10.7 per one thousand. Furthermore, the research found that babies born to drug-abusing women have a 2.5 times greater risk of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Chronic drug use is also connected to other health problems.

The utilization of illicit substances is connected to various ailments, such as tuberculosis and hepatitis. Individuals who consistently use drugs are especially vulnerable to sexually-transmitted diseases and act as primary carriers of these infections. Studies have demonstrated that risky sexual conduct linked to crack and injection drug use intensifies the spread and contraction of both HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The consumption of alcohol and tobacco at a young age can result in early demise.

Eighty-two percent of all individuals who experiment with cigarettes do so before reaching the age of eighteen. There are currently

around 4.5 million underage smokers in America, and an additional three thousand adolescents start smoking regularly each day. Seventy percent of young smokers claim that if given a choice, they would not have begun smoking. Smoking-related diseases alone cause more than 400,000 deaths annually, surpassing the combined death toll of alcohol, crack, heroin, murder, suicide, car accidents, and AIDS.38 The impact of alcohol on young individuals is equally devastating, with eight alcohol-related car crash fatalities happening daily.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 1996, a total of 7,738 intoxicated drivers aged sixteen to twenty were fatally injured. It was found that the risk of using other drugs increases with the younger age at which an individual starts drinking and the higher the intensity and frequency of alcohol consumption. Surprisingly, two and-a-half million teenagers were unaware of the potential lethal consequences of alcohol overdose. Additionally, drug abuse has a significant impact on the workplace, with a staggering seventy-one percent of all illicit drug users aged eighteen and above (equivalent to 7.4 million adults) being employed. This includes 5.4 million full-time workers and 1.9 million part-time workers. It was observed that drug users tend to lower workplace productivity.

An ongoing study conducted by the U.S. Postal Service has compared the performance of employees who use drugs with those who do not. The study found that drug users have higher rates of absenteeism (66% higher), greater utilization of health benefits ($84% higher in dollars), an increase in disciplinary actions (90% higher), and higher employee turnover. Additionally, the workplace can serve as a platform for educating adults, including parents who may not receive information through traditional means, and

for informing employed youth about substance-abuse prevention and identification. The threat of losing one's job is an effective motivator for substance abusers to seek help.

The workplace offers employees and their families access to substance-abuse treatment. This is important as evidence shows that treatment can reduce job-related issues and lead to abstinence. Employers often support treatment by implementing employee-assistance programs (EAPs), conducting drug testing, and having procedures for identifying substance abuse and promoting early treatment. Additionally, drug abuse has a significant impact on society, although its full extent cannot be completely measured. While the number of drug-related crimes can be estimated, we cannot fully assess how drug-related criminal behavior has diminished the quality of life in American neighborhoods, apart from drug-related homicides, which have decreased in recent years. Nonetheless, drug-related crime remains consistently high. Numerous arrests related to drugs take place annually.

State and local law enforcement agencies made approximately 1.14 million arrests for drug law violations in 1994, with the majority (75.1 percent) being for drug possession. It is common for arrestees to test positive for recent drug use, as determined by the National Institute of Justice Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) program through urine analysis.

In 1995, the DUF data revealed that drug use among male arrestees in twenty-three cities varied from 51 percent to 83 percent, while among females it ranged from 41 percent to 84 percent. The data also indicated that males charged with drug possession or sale had the highest likelihood of testing positive for drug use, whereas for females it was those charged with prostitution, drug possession or sale.

Both males and females arrested for robbery, burglary, and stealing vehicles had high positive

rates. Drug Offenders Crowd the Nation’s Prisons and Jails. At midyear 1996, there were 93,167 inmates in federal prisons, 1,019,281 in state prisons, and 518,492 in jails.47 In 1994, 59.5 percent of federal prisoners were drug offenders48 as were 22.3 percent of the inmates in state prisons. The increase in drug offenders accounts for nearly three quarters of the total growth in federal prison inmates since 1980. Most drug offenders are imprisoned for possessing more drugs than possibly could be consumed by one individual distributing drugs or committing serious crimes related to drug sales.

In 1995, around 4,040 individuals were sentenced in federal courts for marijuana-related charges, with 89.1 percent of them facing trafficking charges. A survey conducted in 1991 revealed that many inmates in Federal and State Prisons had used drugs while committing offenses. Among state prison inmates, drug offenders, burglars, and robbers were the most likely to report being under the influence of drugs during their crimes. Conversely, inmates convicted of homicide, assault, and public order offenses were less likely to report drug use. However, federal prison inmates, except for burglars, had a lower likelihood of committing offenses while under the influence compared to state inmates.

Offenders frequently engage in criminal activities to finance their drug dependencies. A 1991 survey conducted among federal and state prison inmates revealed that approximately 10 percent of federal prisoners and 17 percent of state prisoners admitted committing offenses as a means to acquire drugs. The act of trafficking illegal drugs is frequently linked to violent crime.

The reasons for this relationship can be attributed to various factors, including competition for drug markets and customers, conflicts among individuals engaged in illegal

drug activities, and the positioning of drug markets in disadvantaged areas where legal and social measures to prevent violence are often inadequate. Moreover, the rise in the availability of deadly weapons has further exacerbated the severity of drug-related violence. It is worth noting that there has been a consistent decrease in drug-related homicides from 1989 to 1995.

The Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) revealed that out of the 21,597 homicides committed in 1995 with known circumstances, 1,010 (or 4.7 percent) were drug-related, which was notably lower than the 7.4 percent in 1989.

Money laundering poses a threat to financial institutions as it involves concealing financial assets to enable their use without detection of the illicit activities that generated them. Money laundering not only benefits drug dealers but also supports terrorists, arms dealers, and other criminals involved in running and expanding criminal operations.

Drug trafficking generates an estimated tens of billions of dollars annually and the exact amount of money involved cannot be accurately determined. During the fiscal year of September 1996, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that approximately 60 percent of its investigated money laundering cases were related to drugs.54 Additionally, illegal drugs remain easily accessible throughout the United States. The availability of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana has actually increased in terms of price and purity compared to a decade ago, despite a decrease in the number of cocaine and marijuana users. The cocaine trade is primarily managed by Colombian drug cartels, which oversee all aspects from acquiring cocaine base and production in South America to transportation and wholesale distribution in the US. However, Mexican polydrug trafficking gangs, initially serving as transporters for the Colombian groups, are now

playing a more significant role in the transportation and distribution of cocaine.

The distribution and laundering of wholesale cocaine involve organized networks operating in major cities, with multiple cells. At the domestic level, a wide range of criminal groups handle retail sales. These sellers typically organize themselves based on regional, cultural, and ethnic lines, which helps maintain internal security while meeting the constant demand for drugs in our society. Gangs such as the Crips, Bloods, Dominican gangs, and Jamaican "posses" are primarily responsible for the extensive violence related to cocaine and crack. The migration of gang members and "posses" to smaller cities and rural areas in the United States has led to an increase in drug-related homicides, armed robberies, and assaults in those areas.

According to the NNICC Report, the cost and accessibility of cocaine in the United States are relatively consistent. In 1995, cocaine prices across the country varied from $10,500 to $36,000 per kilogram. The gram, ounce, and kilogram levels of cocaine purity also maintain a high level. In 1995, the purity of a gram (retail level) was about 61 percent, while the purity per kilogram (wholesale level) was at 83 percent.

Heroin availability remains high in numerous cities, with wholesale prices ranging from $50,000 to $260,000 per kilogram in 1995. The variability in prices can be attributed to factors such as the relationship between the buyer and seller, the quantity of heroin purchased, the frequency of delivery, and the costs associated with transportation.

The data from the DEA's Domestic Monitor Program shows that Southeast Asian heroin, with high purity, is the main type of heroin in the U.S. market. However, South American heroin availability is also

increasing, indicating Colombian traffickers' entry into the U.S. market. According to the NNICC Report, the purity levels of heroin have significantly increased. In 1995, the average purity of retail heroin from all sources nationwide was 39.7%, much higher than the reported average of 7% ten years ago.

The purity of South American heroin in the retail market was the highest among all sources. Nationwide, it averaged 56.4 percent, while in New York City, a major importation and distribution center, it reached 76 percent. The Northeast region, where a substantial portion of the country's users reside, generally had the highest heroin purity. As for marijuana, it is the most easily accessible illicit drug in the United States. Although there hasn't been a comprehensive survey on domestic cannabis cultivation, the DEA estimates that a significant amount of marijuana consumed in the U.S. is grown within the country. Cannabis is often cultivated in remote areas and on public lands.

Major outdoor cultivation areas are found in Tennessee, Kentucky, Hawaii, California, and New York. In addition, significant amounts of marijuana are grown indoors. Indoor operations offer controlled environments that allow growers to employ advanced agronomic techniques to increase the drug's potency. The majority of marijuana in the United States originates from Mexico, often being smuggled across the southwest border. Nonetheless, there is a growing number of marijuana shipments from Colombia and Jamaica. The production and distribution of marijuana in the United States are highly decentralized.

There is a wide range of trafficking organizations that engage in various operations related to marijuana, such as importing, domestic cultivation, and domestic trade within the United States. Additionally, there are individuals involved in the cultivation and

sale of marijuana at the retail level. It is worth noting that high-quality marijuana can be found in all parts of the country. The prices of marijuana differ based on its quality, ranging from forty to nine hundred dollars per ounce. Interestingly, despite the increase in potency, the prices of marijuana have decreased over the last decade. Another notable drug is methamphetamine, which is also available.

Domestic methamphetamine production and trafficking are mainly found in the western and southwestern parts of the United States. Both Mexico and California have clandestine methamphetamine laboratories that serve as major sources of supply for the entire country. Mexican polydrug trafficking groups have a stronghold on the distribution of wholesale methamphetamine in the United States, particularly in the western region, where they flood the market with highly pure methamphetamine. Additionally, these groups now pose a threat to traditional Asian suppliers in Hawaii. Furthermore, availability of LSD remains relevant.

LSD can be found in retail quantity in almost every state and its availability has increased in certain states. The production facilities for LSD are believed to be situated in the northern California and Pacific Northwest areas on the West Coast. The rise of mail-order sales has resulted in a market where distributors have no direct interaction with buyers. In terms of availability, PCP production is concentrated in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Street gangs based in Los Angeles, particularly the Crips, are the main distributors of PCP across various parts of the United States.

Cocaine trafficking operations are responsible for the distribution of MDMA in cities. MDMA, also known as Ecstasy, XTC, Clarity, Essence, and Doctor, is a drug closely related to

methamphetamine. It is produced in both west Texas and on the West Coast and then distributed nationwide by independent traffickers either through mail or commercial delivery services. Usually, MDMA is available in tablet form with dosage units ranging from 55 to 150 milligrams.

Retail prices for flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) tablets can be anywhere from $6 to $30. In 1995, there was a significant increase in the availability of these tablets along the Gulf Coast and other parts of the United States. These tablets are produced legally by Hoffman-LaRoche in Colombia, Mexico, and Switzerland. However, they are often mixed with alcohol and cocaine, earning them the notorious reputation as the "date rape" drug. Despite being illegal in the United States, they can be purchased wholesale for $1 per tablet and retail at prices ranging from $1.25 to $3 per tablet.59 Though some progress has been made in addressing drug use and its consequences in America, there is still much more work to be done.

America's illegal drug problem

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