...Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: A Community Concern Introduction Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use on college and university campuses poses tremendous concern for parents, students, higher education professionals, governmental officials, and the general community. No school is immune to substance use and resulting adverse consequences. Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are the most commonly used drugs on college campuses, but this use encompasses drugs of varying forms including amphetamine, caffeine, cocaine, hallucinogen, inhalants, opioid, phencyclidine, sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, steroids, and polysubstances. An essential feature of substance abuse is a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to recurrent and clinically significant impairment or adverse consequences. Substance use and abuse are characterized by noted inefficiencies in life functioning, impaired relationships, high-risk behavior, and recurrent legal troubles. Substance dependency emerges from repeated use of the substance despite significant problems related to its use. Substance abuse appears to be etiologically linked to "complex interactions of genetic predisposition, psychological vulnerability, and sociocultural influences" (Archer and Cooper, p. 77). Extensive family history of addiction, poor self-esteem, negative emotional orientation, and few coping skills actively play a role in substance dependency. Skewed perceptions of social norms, peer values and behaviors, and pre-college...
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...Prior to the new laws passed by Colorado and Washington 18 states and the District of Colombia had already passed laws allowing the use of medicinal marijuana. The District of Colombia and the other 18 states have acquired incredible amounts of tax dollars due to the medicinal marijuana causing many people to question whether the national government should continue with the prohibition over marijuana. Not only will the national government receive tremendous amounts of tax dollars, the government spends too much money fighting marijuana use and marijuana is also safer than other legal substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs. Therefore marijuana should not be illegal in the United States. Although government expenses are high, and the predicted tax benefits are tremendous many people are still very strong supporters of the prohibition of marijuana. Even with government regulated substances such as tobacco and alcohol killing large amounts of people each year the legalization of this illicit drug receives many critics. Part of this criticism may be because marijuana is always described alongside crack, cocaine, and heroin which are a lot more serious illegal substances. The opposition to legalizing marijuana argues that if America allows the use of pot than other illegal drugs will be put to medical or recreational use next due to the relaxed attitude...
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...Devin Moore Ben Cope Lifetime Fitness 4, May 2014 Drug Abuse in America Chapter 13 The United States is number one in illegal drug use throughout the world (cbsnews). Men, women and teens across the country are becoming addicted every day to drugs such as cocaine, alcohol, heroin and meth. While Marijuana isn’t technically addictive, it is still the number one used illegal drug in the United States. Marijuana has become legal in some areas in the United States. “Single adults were more likely to report marijuana and cocaine abuse”. These drugs literally destroy lives. People lose their jobs, families and homes because of drug abuse. It is a problem that has been and will be relevant for decades and decades. The definition of a drug is a “substance that alters the user’s ability to function”(Powerpoint). When your ability to function is affected, it affects your everyday life. This is why people lose their jobs and homes. People will spend all their money just get their fix. Cocaine is one of the more expensive drugs. It is very common within the wealthier communities because it can be afforded. Studies show that Americans are four time more likely to abuse cocaine then the other countries in the world (cbsnews). It is also one the most addictive drugs after Alcohol. Its different names are coke, cocaine, dope and white. It can be snorted for a quicker, shorter high or it can be injected which will cause a longer lasting high. Many people begin using...
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...happens when these people do not get their coffee on time and as anticipated? Other than a little irritability, not much happens. People seem trustable enough to drink coffee, even though that behavior often results in a life-long addiction. Tobacco is addictive. Every moment of every day and night, all across America, there are people smoking tobacco. What happens when these "smokers" do not get to light up their cigarettes on time and as anticipated? Other than a lot of irritability, not much happens. Despite the enormous number of tobacco-related deaths each year, adults are nevertheless trusted to moderate their private use of tobacco. Alcohol is addictive. Usually in the evening, but not always, there are people all across America drinking alcohol. What happens when these people do not get their alcohol on time and as anticipated? Well, depending upon the individual's level of past alcohol use, there are varying degrees of negative consequences associated with alcohol withdrawal, e.g., headache, loss of appetite, and even seizures in extreme cases. Despite the enormous number of alcohol-related deaths each year, adults are nevertheless trusted to moderate their private use of alcohol. If Americans can be trusted to get "wired", "buzzed", and/or "drunk", then they can be trusted to use medical marijuana while under the supervision of a licensed physician. Compared to coffee, tobacco, and alcohol, medical marijuana is a harmless substance. There...
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...This policy sets out requirements for schools to plan and implement appropriate responses to drug related incidents, with an emphasis on prevention through drug education and safe and supportive school environments, and intervention and support for students who may be involved. 1.Objectives - Policy statement 1.1 This policy covers the possession and use of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs and the misuse of over-the-counter and prescribed medications, including the supply of restricted substances, on school premises by students. It also covers the possession and use of alcohol and tobacco on school premises by employees and visitors. 1.2 Department of Education and Training (DET) employees are also bound by requirements in the Code of Conduct relating to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. 1.3 Illegal drugs 1.3.1 Schools must be places which are free of illegal drugs. 1.3.2 Principals must manage disciplinary matters involving suspected illegal substances or supply of restricted substances consistent with the Suspension and Expulsion of School Students - Procedures (PD/2006/0316). 1.3.3 Principals must report incidents involving illegal drugs to the School Safety and Response Hotline on 1300 363 778. 1.4 Alcohol 1.4.1 Alcohol must not be consumed or brought to school premises during school hours. This includes employees, students and visitors and other people who use school premises. In the case of cross-sectoral sites (e.g. joint school/TAFE sites), a decision regarding...
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...During economic hardship, many “sensitive” topics, such as tobacco, drugs and alcohol are always on the table for debate; since they influence and impact our personal lives, people’s beliefs and the economy. As the United States of America continues on its present path of accumulating a deficit, many political opinions and justification will be voiced to clarify the excessive funds allocated to aid various tobacco, drugs and alcohol programs/budgets. These programs includes, but not limited to: education and awareness; local support groups; rehabilitation centers to medical finance assistance for care and medication. The programs listed above can easily be justified by local, state and/or national government bodies, but how about monies that are being missed used and/or irrelevant in helping society, which I like to, refer them as “scam expenses”. Tobacco products in the United States have influence two major problems in today’s economy. First, in recent years, numerous state governments have enacted higher tax rates on cigarettes. The governments overall explanation of higher tariff of tobacco products would hopefully lead to a decrease smoking rates. However, some disagree and different publications note the increase in taxes was solely for the purpose of increasing revenue. Overall state tax revenue from tobacco sales have dwindled in recent years in states like New York, which presently has the highest state tax on cigarettes in the United States. At first glance, people...
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...legalization of marijuana would have no benefits. To the contrary, doing so would simply add to the list of readily accessible and potentially addictive substances that can lead to irresponsible behavior and poor health. Given the widespread problems associated with addictive substances such as alcohol and tobacco, why should laws be altered to add another substance to this list? The fact that so many people break laws prohibiting marijuana use does not mean that these laws should be repealed. Introduction One function of government is to protect citizens from harm, whether it is from foreign enemies or from internal causes such as poisonous food or contaminated water. Similarly, the ban on marijuana protects citizens from the dangers of drug consumption, as well as potentially destructive behaviors associated with marijuana use. With the possible exception of limited benefits in treating some diseases under a physician's direction, there are no advantages to the use of intoxicants such as marijuana or more potent drugs, including cocaine and heroin. This is not to say that individuals do not experience some momentary pleasure in consuming drugs-often at tremendous social costs. However, drug use can also wreak havoc on an individual's ability to experience all of the facets of life-from facing and overcoming challenges to enjoying times of great joy to relishing in simple pleasures. Instead, substances like marijuana distort an individual's perceptions and cause an artificial...
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...probably had to listen to lots of anti-drug talks in school and most of them spent some time talking about why you shouldn’t smoke marijuana. They would say that it's bad for you and that it’s worse for you that tobacco or alcohol or that it will make you a failure in life. The truth is that it isn't worse for you than alcohol or tobacco. You won't be a failure because you smoked pot. The truth is that a lot of that was lies, now I'm not going to sit here and tell you that everything they said is a lie. I'm not going to say that it’s going to solve the economic down fall or bring world peace if its legalized but what I am going to tell you is that it has been proven to be beneficial for some medical conditions and that it is nowhere near as bad for you as alcohol or tobacco is. One of the biggest things I was always told was that marijuana is bad for you, that it’s worse for you than alcohol and tobacco well it isn't. Do you know how many deaths per year are caused by tobacco? Approximately 438,000 people die each year due to tobacco related illnesses in the United States. What about alcohol? About 100,000 people die each year from alcohol in the United States. How many people die from marijuana each year? 0, there has never been a reported death from marijuana ever, and yet it’s illegal and alcohol and tobacco aren't. I'm not saying that smoking marijuana is good for you because like smoking anything else it can be harmful but there are other ways to consume marijuana that aren't...
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...Nick Montesano Buss 200 Administrative Law Essay The College Of New Jersey Dr. Laura Sanders 9/29/30 A National Dispute In the past decade there has been an increased controversial view of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. People have been divided on how to regulate these products in the market, causing much governmental controversy. There have been many groundbreaking and unprecedented court cases that have been shaping the public policy on which these substances stand on. These substances have an immediate and perilous effect on the health of all human beings. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, alcohol causes impaired judgment and in turn causes people to do things that affect their health physically and emotionally, and marijuana has almost the same effect as alcohol. (New England Law) Health is the ultimate concern when studying these three substances, which would lead to the Family Smoking Prevention Act to survive the Hudson Test. The Granholm case would lead one to believe that states cannot discriminate against outsiders from sales, and the medical exceptions for marijuana are valid on the fact that it has a medical advantage to some citizens. I strongly believe that the federal government has a right to regulate certain aspects of these substances based upon the danger posed to the health of citizens. This paper will discuss certain court cases that shape my opinion for every substance...
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...Alcoholism and drug abuse is a disease and affects everybody in the family. The family cannot count on them for anything. They would lie and steal money to buy drugs. They cannot keep their jobs. They don’t come home at night. They get caught by the police for drunk driving or accidents. They argue with the family members all the time, because they cause problem for the family members due to their addiction. They scream loudly, break things, walls and furniture, they might say or do wrong things that upset neighbors and friends and make the family members ashamed. When parents or other family member abuses drugs, the children in that family get hurt. The parents are unable to take care of their children. The home become unsafe for those...
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...Executive Summary: This study examined the types of drugs students in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet abuse. The participants were 10 university students drawn from different departments of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet for case study. Case study method with purposive sampling and qualitative approach has been used to conduct the study.The intent of this study was to investigate the reasons that influence to drug abuse among the university students in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet. The analyses yielded the following results: students in the university abuse drugs such as tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, syrup, slipping tablet, Yabba, heroin so on.Students use drugs mostly everyday most of the narcotics.Students use drugs to feel good, to keep awakeand to sleep. This study found that most of the addicted students do not suffer for taking drugs. Taking drugs do not bring negative impact on their study; students have no psychological or physiological illness becauseof drugs. Based on these findings, the study recommends police and customs control, family support, friends’ supports, prohibition of drug use, compulsory treatment of drug addicts as primary solution to reduce the rate of drug addiction.The study also recommends among others the need to organize awareness programmes in our campus to educate students that drugs can alter brain circuitry, which will affect their learning; and the university authorities...
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...stigmas. Even though marijuana is stigmatized as a gateway drug that leads children to harder drugs, marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use because it is incredibly expensive to keep marijuana illegal and adults deserve freedom to use marijuana as medicine without having to deal with the criminal element or fear of being unjustly prosecuted. The gateway effect states that marijuana acts as a stepping stone, or a gateway, that leads people to harder drugs. They support their argument with statistics that show that most people who use hard drugs have tried marijuana before (http://www.mjlegal.org/gateway.html). What though is the gateway theory? Is it based on facts brought to light by years of scientific study? No, in fact the gateway theory does not explain anything at all. It is simply an observation that has been vague at best and dispersed by media outlets and the governing body. It is true that many people that use hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or LSD did in fact use marijuana before they tried the harder drugs. The true reason for this is marijuana is much more accessible due to its popularity than other illicit drugs (http://www.mjlegal.org/gateway.html). In fact the Institute of Medicine agrees that the marijuana gateway theory is misleading and was quoted as saying: "In the sense that marijuana use typically precedes rather than follows initiation of other illicit drug use, it is indeed a "gateway" drug. But because underage...
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...any more harmful than that of alcohol or tobacco products; in fact, thousands of people are killed every year from the effects of smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol. While there are no reported cases of people dying from the effects of marijuana. * Restricting the use of marijuana is an intrusion on people’s personal freedoms; the drug does not hurt the user or people around them in a way that should be considered a threat. So the government should not have the power to say you can’t use marijuana. * An estimated 21 billion dollars a year would be brought in if marijuana was legalized; this would come from the taxation of the crop, and also the money spent to prevent the use of “criminals” who use this drug, who would no longer be incarcerated saving billions of dollars nationwide. Similarly, law enforcements could turn their focus to more important crimes, such as murder, theft, etc. instead of ruining the lives of individuals who are trying to enjoy their life. * If Marijuana was distributed by the government, it could be safely monitored and made sure that harmful chemicals weren’t being put in it that the user wasn’t aware of. * Despite the fact that marijuana is illegal, teens across the U.S. report that out of marijuana, tobacco products, or alcohol, marijuana is the easiest drug to acquire. This is because alcohol and tobacco are regulated by the government and require a proof of I.D. to purchase; that is not the case with drug dealers on the streets. They...
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...2012 fifty-six percent of Americans think marijuana should be legalized and regulated like alcohol and tobacco. Today there are seventeen states that have legalized the use of medicinal marijuana, and two states that have legalized it for recreational use as well. However, in a world where millions of people have died from alcohol and tobacco use, do we really need another legal drug? Many would argue no, but when scientific studies have shown that marijuana is actually less harmful to a person than alcohol or tobacco, it makes no sense to keep it illegal. Marijuana prohibition is simply doing more harm than good to society. In the 1920s, alcohol prohibition led to the widespread proliferation of violent criminal organizations that corrupted politicians and law enforcement officials to illegally peddle booze to otherwise law-abiding citizens. Similarly, by keeping marijuana illegal for the last seventy-five years, we have created a black market that helps fuel some of the most dangerous terrorist organizations in the world. Legalizing marijuana could take the marijuana business out of the hands of drug cartels, by regulating and taxing marijuana in a similar manner to alcohol. It would allow adults twenty-one and older to possess a limited amount of marijuana and to purchase it at stores licensed by the state. Many parents worry that if marijuana was made legal and regulated like alcohol, it would be easier for their kid to obtain. Colorado, where marijuana is legal for recreational...
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...debate regarding the legalization of soft drugs such as marijuana is capable of being characterized as one which pits the concept of freedom of the individual against the concept of a paternalistic State. Advocates of legalization argue that amongst other things, marijuana is not only less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, which are legal substances, but also as a matter of fact has been proven to possess certain medicinal property. The people who support the legalization are member of law enforcement and medical professionals, who really know how ineffective and unnecessary in stance prohibitionist. In contrast, those opposed to legalization argue that the legalization of marijuana will act as a precursor to increased addiction to harder drugs. This will necessarily lead to an increase in the crime rate and accident rate as well. In this article, I would like to explicate both sides of the debate and provide the evidences that support the idea of legalizing marijuana. Why marijuana should not be legalized? Critics claim that all drugs are addictive; they would rob the drug users of free will. Marijuana is considered a drug that associated with unfashionable lifestyles. It is often thought of as a drug for hippies and losers. Drug users can not have rational and informed decisions to continue using drugs because the use of the drug would eliminate their ability to think logically. The use of marijuana leads to the use of harder drugs like morphine and cocaine. This would ultimately...
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