Signos: a Reaction Paper Essay Example
Signos: a Reaction Paper Essay Example

Signos: a Reaction Paper Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1184 words)
  • Published: February 11, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Drug abuse refers to the excessive, non-medical or addictive use of drugs. It is typically characterized by a strong compulsion to persistently consume drugs due to their psychological impacts. This can lead to both physical and mental dependencies. These dependencies frequently cause instability in various areas such as mental, emotional, biological, physical, social and economic domains. The personal effects of drug abuse inevitably result in wider societal implications.

Three fundamental traits suggest drug dependency in a user. Firstly, the user consistently consumes the drug over a prolonged duration. Secondly, the user has difficulties in ceasing the drug use which could lead to unfavorable consequences such as dropping out of school, committing theft, facing imprisonment, losing employment, or abandoning their families in the pursuit of continuous usage. Lastly, the user experiences withdrawal effects such as physic

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al discomfort or psychological distress when abruptly stopping drug consumption.

The younger generation today is susceptible to the misuse of a variety of drugs. These span from cheap and commonly used substances such as alcohol and cigarettes, to more deadly and expensive ones like cocaine and heroin.

Cigarettes are classified as drugs due to their widespread accessibility, particularly among young people. The presence of nicotine in cigarettes is a primary reason for this categorization since it impacts both the physical and psychological health of users. In addition to causing addiction, cigarette use has been associated with numerous pulmonary diseases, including cancer.

2. Alcohol - Compounds like beer, wine, brandy and spirits are categorized as drugs mainly based on their chemical components and their potential to cause addiction. Alcohol has a poisonous and calming impact

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on the body, accessible without requiring a medical prescription. It functions as a suppressant of the central nervous system, with consumption potentially causing considerable changes in behavior.

3. Caffeine - This ingredient, which is frequently abused through excessive consumption of strong coffee or kola nut, plays a vital role in beverages such as tea, coffee, and some bottled drinks. 4. Marijuana - Often referred to as Indian hemp or "weed", particularly among the youth, this psychoactive substance that contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is predominantly cultivated domestically.

5. Hydrocarbons - This category encompasses items such as adhesive glue, fuel, cleaning supplies, varnish, paint thinners, nail polish removers and lighter fluids that are derived from petroleum and natural gas. The common mode of consumption is through inhaling or sniffing these substances. It's significant to note that the main users are often street children known as "rugby boys/girls". These substances primarily help them stifle their hunger and deal with difficult living circumstances.

6. Cocaine - Derived from the coca plant indigenous to South America's Andean highlands, Cocaine is recognized as one of the most potent natural stimulants. This illicit product is generally sold in a diluted format, resembling white crystalline powder and is typically inhaled through the nose. A popular version of this drug called Crack - a solid crystal variant of chemically modified cocaine, tends to be preferred by younger individuals due to its lower cost compared to regular cocaine and its stimulating effects which are achieved by heating and inhaling it.

A multitude of drug users are callously unaware of the disastrous effects and repercussions that accompanies the illicit usage of these drugs.

The initial impact of drug misuse is the transformation of our lifestyle. One major alteration is the financial aspect, where we require significant amount of money to finance our addiction, consequently seeking every possible method to obtain money. This obsession leaves little time for family responsibilities and one's duty of looking after them. Moreover, drug addiction can strain and potentially sever family ties. Besides that, there's also a shift in character. Even if we were once decent children or responsible parents, addiction alters us into a different persona who behaves recklessly without any consideration for family members. Lastly, an individual under the influence of drug abuse loses control over his/her emotions, characterized by persistent nervousness and mood swings. Though a temporary feeling of happiness may follow drug use, it is ultimately highly responsible for behavioral changes.

The secondary consequence of abusing substances is the severe impact it has on our health. Initially, it triggers a wide range of health issues. Continual use can lead to heart diseases, cancer or even AIDS. Excessive drug usage amplifies the likelihood of experiencing stress and depression. It hinders our ability to think clearly and perform tasks efficiently unless we are influenced by them. Moreover, ceasing drug intake becomes exceptionally challenging. Lastly, individuals who engage in substance misuse frequently neglect physical exercise and rarely attend to their personal health care. This results in considerable weight loss and extreme thinness. For peak health condition, abstaining entirely from substance abuse is crucial.

The final and most significant consequence of drug misuse is its contribution to the proliferation of societal issues. Initially speaking, indulging in substance abuse not only drains our

financial resources but also often drives us to theft within our own families when money becomes scarce. Additionally, a significant number of substance abusers have been found to engage in criminal acts such as robbery, illicit drug dealing or even homicide. Moreover, dedicating time to educate our children becomes difficult, leaving them without proper guidance and accordingly predisposing them to deviant behaviors. Subsequently, these negative circumstances create a detrimental cycle of events. Ultimately, due to the financial demand of sustaining a heroin addiction, we may resort to selling our belongings leading eventually to homelessness. Our resulting living conditions might include residing in public parks and having our children drop out of school; our partners might end us leaving us and society at large might shun us for being substance abusers.

What approach should be taken to address the ongoing worldwide social problems? Who ought to take the lead in handling these issues? On initial observation, it seems that the bulk of responsibility lies with the government to put an end to these harmful activities. They possess the authority and are obligated to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs. Particularly, by launching initiatives and creating awareness programs on drug abuse consequences, Department of Health is implementing preventative actions. Such efforts aim at improving knowledge regarding implications of drug misuse and deter young people from indulging in illicit drug use.

It's crucial for the community to assist individuals struggling with drug addiction. The creation of support groups that can guide these people on their recovery journey and provide encouragement for their fresh start might be an effective solution.

To sum up, the importance of

the family structure cannot be overemphasized. It is this primary core from which everything springs forth and plays a crucial role in preventing substance addiction. Effective counsel from family members, especially parents, can discourage and possibly stop drug misuse among young people. Keeping an open line of communication with each family member and understanding their unique struggles is vital. Younger individuals tend to have a higher risk of substance abuse due to peer pressure. Therefore, our duty involves providing them with positive influences that can counter potential instances of drug misuse within our society. As the age-old proverb states, "Every journey starts at home".

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