...Checkpoint: Drug Use and Delinquency Response Christina Whitaker CJS/240 August 8, 2013 Kathy Holder In all honesty I feel that with adolescents they may try drugs just in order to experiment and to see what it’s like or they were most likely pressured into giving it a try by member of their peers. Drug use that’s among adolescents behavior will most likely start before the start of drugs and/or alcohol. According to the studies some professionals believe that adolescents who are basically involved with illicit drugs are simply separating themselves from normality of society in order to try to make a statement. Then there other professionals who believes that the juveniles who participate/experiment with certain drugs other than the use of alcohol and tobacco will most likely allow themselves to fall into a negative environment. Studies shows that adolescents will give all kinds of various reasons on to why they decided to turn to drugs such as: 1. My friends made me do it; 2. I just wanted to feel good; 3. All I wanted to do is to fit in and 4. Just want to try to escape the problems that I’m having. So basically these are just a few of the excuses that adolescents will give in order to try the various drugs. (Titus, Godley, and White, 2006) Also, an adolescent may use drugs as a result or a sign of lacked parental guidance, a strong secure family bond, supervision or let alone the physical, psychological and substance abuse that’s been happening within the adolescent’s...
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...Drug use and abuse is as old as mankind itself. Human beings have always had a desire to eat or drink substances that make them feel relaxed, stimulated, or euphoric. Humans have used drugs of one sort or another for thousands of years. Wine was used at least from the time of the early Egyptians; narcotics from 4000 B.C.; and medicinal use of marijuana has been dated to 2737 BC in China. As time went by, "home remedies" were discovered and used to alleviate aches, pains and other ailments. Most of these preparations were herbs, roots, mushrooms or fungi. They had to be eaten, drunk, rubbed on the skin, or inhaled to achieve the desired effect. One of the oldest records of such medicinal recommendations is found in the writings of the Chinese scholar-emperor Shen Nung, who lived in 2735 BC He compiled a book about herbs, a forerunner of the medieval pharmacopoeias that listed all the then-known medications. He was able to judge the value of some Chinese herbs. For example, he found that Ch'ang Shan was helpful in treating fevers. Such fevers were, and still are, caused by malaria parasites. South and Central American Indians made many prehistoric discoveries of drug-bearing plants. Mexican Aztecs even recorded their properties in hieroglyphics on rocks, but our knowledge of their studies comes mainly from manuscripts of Spanish monks and medical men attached to the forces of the conquistador Hernan Cortes (1485-1547). Pre-Columbian Mexicans used many substances...
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...Drug Use The increase of drug use in this generation we are more exposed to the dangers of drugs. Drugs have affected the way society can evolve and become better. For instance there has been an increase in our generation due to adolescents experimenting with illegal substances. Many consequences of using these drugs are withdrawals, drug dependence, personality change, and many more. This essay will be looking at some of the effects of drug use on society, and suggests some solutions to the problem. The consequences that accompy with the use of illegal substances are wihdrawls, family tension, drug dependency, depression, and emotional and physical problems. With substances such as methenphetmamine, there is a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B and C because they use needles that are being shared that are contaminated as well as the fact that methephentamines caused increased sexual desire. This causes for those who use meth to want to find anyone to have sex with to fulfill their desires. Regardless of how it is taken, methamphetamine alters judgment and inhibition and can lead people to engage in these and other types of risky behavior. Another drug that is abused frequently and is dangerous for everyone is prescription pills, because of the fact that many prescription pills have psychoactive properties which helps alter a person’s thinking. These are abused by the person either taking more than they are prescribed or the...
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...In Defense of Recreational Drugs If illicit drugs are harmful to the mind, body and soul, than why do people continue to manufacture, distribute and use these substances? The prohibition of these illicit substances as outlined in the Controlled Substances Act of the United States goes against all logic. Propaganda across the United States promotes the myth that psychotropic drugs impair moral judgment and is a cause of destructive deviant behavior. There is evidence that refutes this claim, illustrated by findings in several of the government’s own studies. The truth is that the majority that dabbles with these intoxicants is misrepresented by the media and politicians as delinquents, but are respectable citizens with jobs to work, bills to pay, and classes to attend, and are indistinguishable from the general population. Their use is not accounted for as many are reluctant to admit to it, due to the illegality and prejudice against use of controlled substances in our society. Such illicit substances must have some intrinsic value because of their continued use. Just as prescription pharmaceuticals can prove to be valuable in a specific context, so can all classes of illegal drugs. The poison is in the dose not the chemical itself. The unconstitutional War on Drugs in the United States needs to cease, because it is based on heresy and fear mongering. This calls for reeducation of the American people about the true nature of drugs; for this legalization and regulation of all...
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...Dangers Associated With the Use of Illicit Drugs: Article Critique Abstract “Health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol” written by the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is straight to the facts and extremely informative. This article was a brief summary on: Marijuana, Cocaine, Crack, Barbiturates, Hallucinogens, Ecstasy, Alcohol abuse and Narcotics. This information was intended for health professionals and possible counsellors to better assist their patients with risks, side effects of illicit drug use. This article was clear and concise facts of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. It provided very key information such as the street names of the different drugs and their effects on the fetus in pregnant women. I felt that by providing this type of information to health professionals and counsellors, it aids them in being able to connect with their patients on an individual level by understanding their language. It is extremely important to know the lingo of drug terms so that the professional will know exactly what drug or drugs the patient may be referring to and be able to assist them adequately. It is also equally important to provide with pregnancy related drug abuse to be able to educate the mother on the dangers of continued abuse of illicit drugs and/or know what to look for in babies born to mothers that use. “Health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol”, provided information that was in simple language...
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...The Salvation Army Caribbean Territorial Training College Cadet Joshua Alexander Poyser Topic: Drug Use & Abuse Drug abuse is the excessive and self- damaging use of habit forming drugs/ substances resulting in addiction or dependence and serious physiological and/or psychological harm. Countries and regions across the world have struggled with the use and abuse of drugs within its populace, the Caribbean being no exception. In some instances these practices have led to criminal activities and violence, especially gang- related violence. Drug abuse usually starts with mere experimentation and develops into social exclusion, degradation of family values, greed, stress, and inadequate life and social skills. The consequence of illicit drug use typically extends to crime related instability and insecurity, the creation of health challenges and can even contribute to the spread of diseases such as HIV that impacts both social and economic development. History Since the dawn of history, humans have sought ways to relieve the daily strains of life, bringing forth and making popular the practice of ‘substance abuse’. The ancient people of Mesopotamia as well as those of Ancient Greece, Rome, India, Assyria, Etc. produced beer and opium for recreational uses which was surely a form of drug abuse but was not seen as such as it was socially acceptable at the time. Over the Atlantic, the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans experimented with ‘peyote’, ‘cannabis’ and ‘mescaline’ (all plants...
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...Drug use in today’s world is exposed all around us. It is shown on TV, in newspapers and all over social media. Drug use has become a trend that to most people is seen as ‘cool’ whilst many drug users are unaware of the detrimental and irreversible effects that drugs can have on ones health. Young people are increasingly taking drugs in socials settings in an attempt to enjoy the party more and ignoring the possible risks involved. A drug is a chemical substance that has known biological effects on humans. Recreational drug use has always been a dilemma facing our society. Recreational drug use is the use of psychoactive substances to have fun, for the experience. Recreational drugs affect the central nervous system, such as depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens. Irresponsible and illegal use of drugs can result in physical and mental addictions causing long term damage to ones bodily function and health for example, drug use interferes with the functioning of ones brain function as well as disrupt the natural functioning cycles of all vital organs in ones body. Depressants are drugs that slow down the functions of the central nervous system. It cause the user to feel more relaxed when it is used in small quantities, although when used in larger quantities...
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...Effects of Drug Abuse By:David Dasilva A drug is a chemical substance that can change how your body and mind work. Drugs of abuse are substances that people use to get high and change how they feel. They may be illegal drugs like pot, cocaine, or heroin. Or they may be legal for adults only, like alcohol and tobacco. Medicines that treat illness can also become drugs of abuse when people take them to get high—not because they're sick and following their doctor's orders. People can even abuse cough or cold medicines from the store if they ignore the directions and take too much at one time. Taking a drug can feel really good for a short time. That's why people keep taking them—to have those good feelings again and again. But even though someone may take more and more of a drug, the good feelings don't last. Soon the person is taking the drug just to keep from feeling bad. Some people who feel very worried, afraid, or sad abuse drugs to try to stop feeling so awful. This doesn't really help their problems and can lead to addiction, which can make them feel much worse. Some people who want to get good grades, get a better job, or earn more money might think drugs will give them more energy, keep them awake, or make them think faster. But it usually doesn't work, may put their health at risk, and may lead to addiction. That’s why taking drugs are bad, and shouldn’t be...
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...A drug is a chemical substance that can change how your body and mind work. Drugs of abuse are substances that people use to get high and change how they feel. They may be illegal drugs like pot, cocaine, or heroin. Or they may be legal for adults only, like alcohol and tobacco. Medicines that treat illness can also become drugs of abuse when people take them to get high—not because they're sick and following their doctor's orders. People can even abuse cough or cold medicines from the store if they ignore the directions and take too much at one time. Taking a drug can feel really good for a short time. That's why people keep taking them—to have those good feelings again and again. But even though someone may take more and more of a drug, the good feelings don't last. Soon the person is taking the drug just to keep from feeling bad. Some people who feel very worried, afraid, or sad abuse drugs to try to stop feeling so awful. This doesn't really help their problems and can lead to addiction, which can make them feel much worse. Some people who want to get good grades, get a better job, or earn more money might think drugs will give them more energy, keep them awake, or make them think faster. But it usually doesn't work, may put their health at risk, and may lead to addiction. That’s why taking drugs are bad, and shouldn’t be...
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...Our Society and Drug Use With drug use becoming more and more common in our society, people are starting to look deeper into the reasons why people use drugs. Drugs are everywhere, in every community. According to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World; an estimated 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs. What about the legal ones? Prescription drugs are being abused today more than ever before. Drugs do not discriminate against age, race, financial status, location, and etcetera. There are no simple answers. There are many reasons why drugs are so common in our society today. First of all, peer pressure is a huge factor in temptations to experiment with drugs. No one wants to be the only one not participating, or to be left out. Peer pressure happens in every high school and middle school in the country, and is pretty much a part of growing up. Young people are being exposed to drugs earlier than ever before. This often makes it very difficult to go against the group and stand up for your own beliefs. People tell others “everyone is doing it” or “how much fun they had getting high” or “how great the drugs made them feel”, pretty much anything to entice them into trying drugs. Teens and young adults are especially vulnerable because they think drug use can be easily controlled. It is just an experiment, right? They do not look past the party to see how things could turn out. Before they know it, they are addicted, and moving on to more powerful...
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...n the An Introduction to the drug ratings in the Philippines Background study drug addiction and drug abuse, chronic or habitual use of any chemical substance to alter states of body or mind for other than medically warranted purposes. Traditional definitions of addiction, with their criteria of physical dependence and withdrawal (and often an underlying tenor of depravity and sin) have been modified with increased understanding; with the introduction of new drugs, such as cocaine, that are psychologically or neuropsychologically addicting; and with the realization that its stereotypical application to opiate-drug users was invalid because many of them remain occasional users with no physical dependence. Addiction is more often now defined by the continuing, compulsive nature of the drug use despite physical and/or psychological harm to the user and society and includes both licit and illicit drugs, and the term "substance abuse" is now frequently used because of the broad range of substances (including alcohol and inhalants) that can fit the addictive profile. Psychological dependence is the subjective feeling that the user needs the drug to maintain a feeling of well-being; physical dependence is characterized by tolerance (the need for increasingly larger doses in order to achieve the initial effect) and withdrawal symptoms when the user is abstinent. INTRODUCTION Illegal drug use is “almost automatically”([1]) associated with criminal behaviour. The statistical...
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...Final Paper – Illegal Drug Use ITT Technical Institute - Boise Introduction My position is that illegal drug use is harmful and dangerous. I hope to show in this paper some of the many physical effects illegal drug use can have on the human body. Second, I will show how the use of illegal drugs impacts families in general. Lastly, I will cover the effects of illegal drug use on society as a whole. Background I understand the counter position; others would say that the three most dangerous drugs are drugs that are currently legal. I agree with this statement somewhat, but it is actually the illegal use of the legal drug that is so harmful in this case. So many people and the media focus on illegal drug use and the effects of them that they totally ignore the problems associated with the illegal use of legal drugs and the many problems associated with this type of drug abuse. I believe that the illegal use of prescription drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol, are just as harmful as the drugs that the Federal Government has deemed to be an “illegal drug”. "The misuse of pain medication is probably one of our greatest drug addictions in America right now," Mike Gimbel, a drug expert from St. Joseph Medical Center, said in 2011 (Gimbel, 2011). Another drug that is sometimes used illegally or abused has been around for decades. "Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in our country. I mean, we have over half a million people a year that die as a result of smoking...
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...Conduct Mandatory Drug Testing on Students? Molly, X, Coke, Snow, Kush, Sess, Wack, Roofies, Lucy in the Sky, Ganja, and Ice are just a few names of some drugs that are popular with middle and high school students. Drugs are readily accessible and ubiquitous for any students who want to buy them at schools, playgrounds or on the street if the price and time is right. Kids as young as twelve years old are experimenting with drugs, while many parents are oblivious of their child’s circumstance. Random drug test in schools are beneficial for the people it affects, because it can alleviate drug use by the student that uses, weaken or terminate the drug possession on school grounds, and can save a child’s life in the long run. Paragraph 1: Drug testing in schools can alleviate the students use early on when detected by drug test. Many schools have substance abuse programs and counseling readily available for students in need. Paragraph 2: With drug testing becoming mandatory, drug possession on campus will weaken and possibly cease because students are afraid of being caught with drugs in their system. Paragraph 3: Mandatory drug testing in schools can possibly save a child from a long life of drug abuse and possibly overdosing. Conclusion: Drugs are everywhere and they are here to stay! It is an everyday battle that most do not want to take part in, due to the path you will take while under the influence of drugs. It has come down to mandatory drug testing in schools...
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... on children and young adults that give them the opportunity to become exemplary role models. But all of this can be completely erased if that athlete so much as humors the assistance from performance enhancing drugs. Steroids cause some of the most elite athletes on the planet to become shunned by the organization for whom they played and the fans that they disappointed. 4 in 10 teenage steroid users credit their knowledge of and use of the drugs to a famous athlete, which is why it is so critical to inform people of the danger that come with steroids and the numerous reputations they have shattered. It is my goal throughout this speech to not only enlighten you as to what steroids are and why they are such a problem, but also urge you to never let the use of these deadly drugs cross your mind. Listen well, because it is your right to be informed about a problem so common in people our age. Anabolic steroids is the familiar name for synthetic variants of the male sex hormone testosterone . steroids can be legally prescribed to treat conditions resulting from steroid hormone deficiency, such as delayed puberty, as well as diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass, such as cancer and AIDS. But some athletes and bodybuilders abuse these drugs in an attempt to enhance performance and/or improve their physical appearance....
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...History of Drugs in America Drugs have always played a pivotal role in American history and culture. In our present day society drugs are seen in a very negative light. This has not always been the case in America, in fact, drugs helped to establish our country. The evolution of drugs in the U.S. is ever changing; the attitudes, restrictions, and understanding of drugs are still constantly evolving. Tobacco held a very important role in the survival of early American colonies. The colony of Virginia was able to save itself from near bankruptcy once they began to grow and harvest the tobacco plant. Soon demand was so great that slaves were brought in to help harvest crops. Alcohol was another substance that played a crucial role in colonial life. Drinking water was not safe to drink, so alcohol became the common beverage during this era. Both alcohol and tobacco was used as legal tender in these early years of our country. During the early 1800’s other drugs were being introduced into the United States. Opium was brought over by Chinese slaves and quickly was found to hold great medicinal benefits. Opium was able to be synthesized into morphine, and used as a pain killer. The effects of prolonged usage were not understood and addiction became an issue. Heroin and cocaine also became household drugs used to treat almost any ailment. Numerous different companies marketed different medicines and included these in their ingredients. Addictions had now reached an all-time...
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