And they can often escape into substance abuse and addiction" (Study reveals rise in drug, alcohol abuse during economic downturn). A report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that alcohol abuse among 12 to 20-year-olds in California increased from 24.7% to 26.3% (SAMHSA Unveils State Substance Abuse Data from 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health).
One of the most important ways in which an increasing rate of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction affects the economy is the spiraling cost of healthcare and rehabilitation. The increase in addictions also creates a gap between the need for treatment and rehabilitation and available resources. This in turn places economic pressure on state and local government. This is especially difficult to maintain in a recessionary economic climate. "States, local governments, and non-profits are all facing tremendous budget shortfalls -- and they are cutting the resources to help this growing group of addicts in trouble, just when they need it the most" (Study reveals rise in drug, alcohol abuse during economic downturn).
The following illustrations provide a clear indication of the amounts that have been spent on alcohol and drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation over a period of time.
( Source: http://www.ncjrs.gov/ondcppubs/publications/policy/ndcs00/chap2_10.html)
It is clear from the above graphs and charts that billions of dollars are lost every year because of absenteeism and lost earning from both drug and alcohol addiction.
It is true that as a result of the seriousness of the situation reflected in many articles and media reports the public is becoming more aware of the problem. As a consequence there have in fact been reports of declining drug rates in many areas of the country (Trends in Drug Abuse). A 2005 report by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that, "…there has been an approximately 17% decline over the last three years in any illicit drug use in the past month by students in the eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades combined" (Trends in Drug Abuse). However, at the same there are also many other research reports that indicate an increase in drug and alcohol usage among many young children; for example, it is estimated that, "Over half (51%) of America's teenagers have tried an illicit drug by the time they finish high school" (Trends in Drug Abuse). Furthermore, it has also been found that, "An estimated 19.5 million Americans aged 12 or older were current users of an illicit drug in 2003. This estimate represents 8.2% of the ...
The above findings are extremely worrying and do not bode well for the future. If children as young as twelve are becoming addicted to substances then this means that there is trend emerging that will possibly result in future social and economic problems and issues. In the light of these figures many experts agree that drug and alcohol addiction may in fact threaten the very fabric and structure of society and should be combated on all possible fronts.
One of the areas of concern that is also noted in contemporary literature on the subject is that there is an increasing trend towards the cultural acceptance of certain addictive drugs like alcohol and marijuana. A number of commentators blame the media and film for what has been termed the 'normalization' of drug taking. This is an aspect that adds to the concern about the increasing number of drug and alcohol addicts in our society. A culture cannot exist is its young and vibrant members are addicted to harmful substances and this leads to a fear expressed by many experts that various forms of addiction may sap the vitality of and drive of the society.
Allen J. ( 2006) Drugs a Factor in Many Sexual Assaults, Study Says. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/501383/drugs_a_factor_in_many_sexual_assaults_study_says/
Bennet W. (1999) the Index of Leading Cultural Indicators. New York: Broadway
Drug addiction. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Drug:addiction.htm
Drugs in the family. Retrieved April 24, 2006, from http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/1859353207.pdf
Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/consequences
Nurco, D.N., Blatchley, R.J., Hanlon, T.E., O'Grady, K.E., & Mccarren, M. (1998). the
Family Experiences of Narcotic Addicts and Their Subsequent Parenting Practices. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 24(1), 37+.
SAMHSA Unveils State Substance Abuse Data from 2004 National Survey on Drug Use
and Health. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from http://www.samhsa.gov/news/newsreleases/060406_survey04.htm
Schur, E.M. (1965). Crimes without Victims: Deviant Behavior and Public Policy:
Abortion, Homosexuality, Drug Addiction. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Study reveals rise in drug, alcohol abuse during economic downturn. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from http://www.behavioral.net/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=B20DF0482CF84DBA94F725711F709DD7&tier=3&nid=7E443B0BC73F425FA935C977ABC9AD1D
Tracy, Sarah W., and Caroline Jean Acker, eds. (2004) Altering American
Consciousness: The History of Alcohol and Drug Use in the United States, 1800-2000. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press.
Trends in Drug Abuse. NIDA. Retrieved September 27, 2009,
A report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that alcohol abuse among 12 to 20-year-olds in California increased from 24.7% to 26.3% (SAMHSA Unveils State Substance Abuse Data from 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health).
Drugs and Alcohol Effects on College / Campuses Current Literature On Drugs And Alcohol On College Campuses Drugs and Alcohol Effects on College Campuses The number of college students using the drug and alcohol in the United States of America has been on the increase. Binge drinking is the way most students in these colleges take alcohol. College students are a visible group where alcohol and drug abuse have become a common place.
Substance use is frequently associated with child abuse and domestic violence. It also is a leading contributor to marital dissatisfaction, family breakups and rejection of family members. The importance of the family in understanding alcohol and drug use and abuse is underlined by these highly destructive consequences of alcohol and drug dependency on the abuser and the family. (Lala; Straussner; Fewell, 17) Peer Group plays an important part in resolving
08% or higher. Blood Alcohol content is the concentrated amount of alcohol in the blood, and this number can be assessed via chemical and Breathalyzer tests. Though this limit was previously as high as.10% in some states, even the lowered limit is not adequate to prevent alcohol related vehicle accidents. In fact, law enforcement officials classify an accident as alcohol related if a driver's blood alcohol content was.01%, or two
Drug Crime Does research evidence suggest that current policies on drugs and crime are still appropriate? While "tough" policies designed to curb drug use and distribution are attractive politically, and look good on paper, research shows that such policies are no longer appropriate. Instead of responding to drug use as a public health problem, governments like that of the United States and the United Kingdom still regards criminalization as "the sine qua
Drug Profile Drug addiction is a human issue that cultivates biological, psychological, and social consequences, among others. The manifestation of addiction itself is characterized by physical dependence, and is defined by the uncontrollable, compulsive urge to seek and use drugs despite harmful repercussions (Fernandez, Rodriguez & Villa, 2011). Philologically, drug use affects the reward center, where dopamine receptors are over-stimulated. Ultimately, the repetition of drug use is encouraged to achieve the
Drug Culture Midterm Prior to this course, I had a very narrow interpretation of drug culture in regards to film. The films I was most familiar with were those that focused on marijuana such as Cheech and Chong films, Pineapple Express, Half-Baked, and the Harold and Kumar trilogy among others. Additionally, the only other heroin-centric film I was aware of was Trainspotting, and the only other cocaine-centric film that had made