2/21/2018
ENG102_PortfolioProjectRubric_Mod08
ENG102: Portfolio Project Rubric - Module 08
Content, Research, and Analysis
Approaches
Below
Limited
Expectation
Expectation
Evidence
20 to 17 Points
16 to 13 Points 12 to 9 Points
8 to 5 Points
The Portfolio includes all of the
The Portfolio
The Portfolio
required components, as
includes most of includes some of includes few of
specified in the assignment.
the required
the required
the required
components, as
components, as
components, as
specified in the
specified in the
specified in the
assignment.
assignment.
assignment.
Meets Expectation
Requirements
Content
The Portfolio
110 to 89 Points
88 to 67 Points 66 to 45 Points
44 to 23 Points
Demonstrates strong or
Some significant Major errors or
Fails to
adequate knowledge of
but not major
demonstrate
omissions in
rhetoricalconventionsassociated errors or
demonstration of knowledge of the
withwritingpersuasively inthe
omissions in
knowledge.
genreselected for thePortfolio
demonstration of
Project; correctly represents
knowledge.
materials.
knowledge from the readings
and sources.
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ENG102_PortfolioProjectRubric_Mod08
Meets Expectation
Thesis
Approaches
Below
Limited
Expectation
Expectation
Evidence
50 to 37 Points
36 to 28 Points 27 to 19 Points
18 to 10 Points
Demonstratesstrong
Some significant Major errors or
Fails to
oradequate thoughtand insight
but not major
omissions in
demonstrate
inargument/thesisstatement.
errors or
argument/thesis
argument/thesis
omissions in
statement.
statement.
argument/thesis
statement.
Analysis
110 to 89 Points
88 to 67 Points 66 to 45 Points
44 to 23 Points
Provides strongor
Some significant Major errors or
Fails to
adequatethought, insight,and
but not major
omissions in
demonstrate
analysis ofconcepts
errors or
thought, insight,
thought, insight,
andapplicationsregarding
omissions in
and analysis.
and analysis.
thestudent'sargument. Madeall
thought, insight
Major errors or
Fails to
revisions andedits based
and analysis.
omissions in
demonstrate
onfeedback duringModule 6.
Some significant revisions and
revisions and
but not major
edits based on
edits based on
omissions in
feedback during
feedback during
revisions and
Module 6.
Module 6.
edits based on
feedback during
Module 6.
Mechanics and Writing
Meets
Approaches
Below
Expectation
Expectation
Expectation
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Limited Evidence
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Organization
ENG102_PortfolioProjectRubric_Mod08
Meets
Approaches
Below
Expectation
Expectation
Expectation
20 to 17 Points
16 to 13 Points
12 to 9 Points
8 to 5 Points
Project is clearly
Small number of
Major problems in
Project is not well
organized, well
significant but not
organization and
organized or well
written, and in
major flaws in
writing; does not
written and is not in
proper essay format organization and
completely follow
proper essay
including an
writing; is in proper
proper essay
format. Does not
introduction, body,
essay format. In a
format. In a
conform to project
and conclusion.
minor way does not significant way
Conforms to project conform to project
does not conform to
requirements.
project
requirements.
Limited Evidence
requirements.
requirements.
Grammar and
20 to 17 Points
16 to 13 Points
12 to 9 Points
8 to 5 Points
Strong sentence
Small number of
Inconsistent to
Poor quality;
and paragraph
significant but not
inadequate
unacceptable in
structure; few or no
major errors in
sentence and
terms of grammar
minor errors in
grammar and
paragraph
and/or spelling;
grammar and
spelling; generally
development; work
inappropriate
spelling;
appropriate writing. needed on
Style
writing style that
appropriate writing
grammar and
interferes with
style; clear and
spelling; does not
clarity.
concise with no
meet program
unsupported
expectations.
comments.
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Demonstrates
ENG102_PortfolioProjectRubric_Mod08
Meets
Approaches
Below
Expectation
Expectation
Expectation
20 to 17 Points
16 to 13 Points
12 to 9 Points
Project contains
Few errors in APA
Significant errors in Numerous errors in
proper APA
formatting,
APA formatting,
APA formatting,
formatting,
according to the
according to the
according to the
according to the
CSU-Global Guide
CSU-Global Guide
CSU-Global Guide
CSU-Global Guide
to Writing and APA, to Writing and APA, to Writing and APA
Limited Evidence
8 to 5 Points
proper use of APA
style
to Writing and APA, with no more than
with four to five
, with more than five
with no more than
two to three
significant errors.
significant errors.
one significant
significant errors.
error.
Max Points for Content, Research, and Analysis
Max Points for Mechanics and Writing
Total Points Possible
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290
60
350
4/4
Running head: DRUG ADDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES
Drug Addiction in the United States
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ENG102 – English Composition II
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January 28, 2018
1
DRUG ADDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES
2
Drug Addiction in the United States
While the War on Drugs in the United States is noble, it has done very little to curtail the
use and abuse of both illicit and prescription drugs leading to a rise in drug addiction. In the last
ten years, the United States holds a record for the highest number of most common health
problems that can be traced to the rise in drug and substance abuse in the country. The use of
drugs can lead to an increase of social issues like dropping out of school, unemployment,
domestic violence, and accidents to mention but a few, which participates significantly to the
moral decay in society. A multifaceted approach is necessary for prevention through guidance
and counseling, rehabilitation, medication, and approaches in psychological prevention. Some
would also argue that drug addiction can be prevented through policy intervention, while others
contend that cognitive-behavioral therapy can prevent initial addiction or limit cases of relapse.
Problem
There are a few ways the United States government can use to help reduce the number
drug abuse cases in the country. In 2002, alcohol and marijuana became the top two most
common drugs abused according to research presented by the National Survey on Drug Use and
Health (Boles, 2003). The study shows that roughly 6.8% of the population over the age of
sixteen are dependent on both marijuana and alcohol daily. The research also indicates that these
two drugs are easily abused due to being readily available irrespective to age; the overall low
cost compared to other commonly abused drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, also contributes to
being a drug of choice for most abusers.
Cause
DRUG ADDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES
3
There are a multitude of reasons that individuals become addicted to illicit or legal drugs.
Neisewander et al (2012) contend that early childhood stressors, isolation, inadequate family
structure, or peer-pressure are the most common factors that cause youth to try drugs (p. 34).
Duncan (2012) took it further explaining that certain psychiatric disorders could trigger a
“genetic predisposition” that increases the chances of the individual to abuse drugs (p. 7). More
studies are being conducted to explain why certain individuals are able to use drugs
recreationally without adverse side effects and others are effected greatly to the point of abusing
different substances.
Solution
To successfully reduce the number of drug abuse cases, all or a combination of the
following actions need to take place;
Guidance and Counseling
There seems to be a compelling reason to argue that counseling is an essential part of
drug addiction treatment for most addicts. Counseling of drug addicts is, therefore, a
fundamental part of addiction treatment programs in rehabilitation centers worldwide. The
counselors employ various frameworks and approaches to help build a trustworthy relationship
with their patients. Additionally, they offer resources as well as the support necessary for the
patients on their way to addiction recovery. Moreover, the counselors’ approaches are nonjudgmental and thus, establishing a therapeutic alliance with his or her patients for easy
communication. Therefore, on the basis of evidence currently available, it seems fair to suggest
that drug addicts are able to identify and be ready to work through their interpersonal issues as
well as feel very comfortable discussing his or her experiences with drugs (Duncan, 2012).
Rehabilitation
DRUG ADDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES
4
There is overwhelming evidence for the notion that rehabilitation is one of the best
approaches to treating drug addiction (Zhou et al., 2016). However, treating drug addiction may
not be easy because it is a chronic illness in which rehabilitation aims at helping addicts identify
what might have triggered them into using drugs so as to develop new, healthy ways of living.
During rehabilitation, patients undergo a number of processes which may include
psychoeducation, family therapy, particular behavioral therapies as well as group therapy.
Arguably, these approaches are used to help minimize chances of relapse by patients.
Creation of Awareness and Advocacy
People become addicted to alcohol due to lack of information on the appropriate
approaches at reducing over-reliance on alcohol within the community. Understanding the
burden of being an alcoholic can force an individual to see the urgency and need for changes in
behavior that will help improve their health. The primary objective of advocacy and creation of
awareness is to inculcate behavior changes in perpetual addicts. Additionally, it is in the interest
of advocacy groups to encourage desirable social behaviors among alcohol drinkers. Behavior
change remains an integral part of psychological intervention for reducing alcohol addiction.
Other psychosocial approaches include cognitive functioning therapy and language competency
(Motlagh et al., 2016).
DRUG ADDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES
5
References
Boles, S. M., & Miotto, K. (2003). “Substance abuse and violence: A review of the literature.”
Aggression and violent behavior, 8(2), 155-174.
Duncan, J. R. (2012). Current Perspectives on the Neurobiology of Drug Addiction: A Focus on
Genetics and Factors Regulating Gene Expression. ISRN Neurology, 2012.
doi:10.5402/2012/972607
Motlagh, F. E., Ibrahim, F., Rashid, R. A., Seghatoleslam, T., & Habil, H. (2016). Acupuncture
Therapy For Drug Addiction. Chinese Medicine, 11(1), 16.
Neisewander, J., Peartree, L., & Pentkowski, N. (2012). Emotional valence and context of social
influences on drug abuse-related behavior in animal models of social stress and prosocial
interaction. Psychopharmacology, 224(1), 33-56.
Zhou, Y., Zhao, M., Zhou, C., & Li, R. (2016). Sex Differences In Drug Addiction And
Response To Exercise Intervention: From Human To Animal Studies. Frontiers In
Neuroendocrinology, 40, 24-41. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2015.07.001
Running head: DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Drug Addiction in America: Annotated Bibliography
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ENG102: English Composition II
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February 4, 2018
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DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Drug Addiction in America: Annotated Bibliography
Working thesis statement: While the War on Drugs in the United States is noble, it has
done very little to curtail the use and abuse of both illicit and prescription drugs leading to a rise
in drug addiction. In the last ten years, the United States holds a record for the highest number
of most common health problems that can be traced to the rise in drug and substance abuse in the
country. The use of drugs can lead to an increase of social issues like dropping out of school,
unemployment, domestic violence, and accidents to mention but a few, which participates
significantly to the moral decay in society. A multifaceted approach is necessary for prevention
through guidance and counseling, rehabilitation, medication, and approaches in psychological
prevention. Some would also argue that drug addiction can be prevented through policy
intervention, while others contend that cognitive-behavioral therapy can prevent initial addiction
or limit cases of relapse.
Everitt, B. J., & Robbins, T. W. (2013). From the ventral to the dorsal striatum: developing
views of their roles in drug addiction. Neuroscience & Behavioral Reviews, 37(9), 19461954.
Summary of article: The article focuses on the views which are developed through the
role of drug addiction from the point of voluntary use to the habitual transition into the
compulsive use. Further, the authors describe the changes which are based on the striatal
control exposed through drug-seeking behavior which expresses the functional
heterogeneity in the use of harmful drugs. Moreover, the article also explains the
hypothesis gathered from the data obtained on the level of the emergence of the
compulsive seeking of drugs. This is because the result found establishes the reflection
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
3
in the shift to the dorsal control of striatal over the behavior as well as the impaired
inhibitory control mechanical processes.
Assessment of article: This article was published in the Neuroscience and Behavioral
Review and Science Direct. Sound research is verified / validated by countless other
studies by peers within the same field.
Reflection on article: Based on the research in this article, I can claim the enumeration
of the voluntary to the compulsive use of drugs and the effects of impulsivity. Besides, it
highlights the behavior of addiction involved in the development of seeking drug habits
within the affected individuals.
Dart, R. C., Surratt, H. L., Cicero, T. J., Parrino, M. W., Severtson, S. G., Bucher-Bartelson, B.,
& Green, J. L. (2015). Trends in opioid analgesic abuse and mortality in the United
States. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(3), 241-248.
doi:10.1056/NEJMsa1406143
Summary of article: This article describes the trends that have been practiced in the use
of prescription of the medication of opioid and the results obtained in the United States over the
past two decades. As a result, it has involved various stakeholders in this field which have
included the federal and state governments, the local authorities and the association of the private
partners in the economy of the country. Several methods have been used to explain the trend
which has existed in the past decade. Some of these techniques which have been applied include
the research abuse, surveillance of addiction-related issues as well as the diversions of drug
addiction. The description of the process involved in determining the trend was formulated on
products which consisted of morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, oxycodone among others. The
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
data were obtained from college students, prison centers, investigators of drug diversion and the
centers for treatment of substance abuse.
Assessment of article: This article was published in The New England Journal of
Medicine by numerous medical doctors and doctoral researchers. Sound research is
verified / validated by countless other studies by peers within the same field.
Reflection on article: This article is vital in explaining the relevant percentage of the
affected individuals within the society and possible measure to take in solving the
problem. This is because the results of the research done establish the right number of
increase of people who have substantially highlighted the plight being faced.
Nonetheless, the existence of post marketing surveillance shows the possible diversion
and drug abuse which exist from the production of the end supply of these drugs.
Dean, A. C., Groman, S. M., Morales, A. M., & London, E. D. (2013). An Evaluation of the
Evidence that Methamphetamine Abuse Causes Cognitive Decline in
Humans. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(2), 259-274. doi:10.1038/npp.2012.179
Summary of article: This article explains the evaluation and causes of one of the drugs
abused around the world. Methamphetamine is recognized as one of the most common illicit
substances being abused. The abuse of this drug has been related to the reduction of cognitive
functions which exist across various domains. The research outlined in the article is used to
determine and evaluate multiple hypotheses which are about cross-sectional human studies.
Additionally, studies on the cognitive changes from the abstinence of the drug, and the studies
made on the changes in the structure of the brain, as well as the ability to function with the
possibility to abstain. The result found from the research suggest that the drug used as a sample
4
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
5
for evaluation expressed some cognitive deficit observed since it is a condition known to the
drug users.
Assessment of article: The authors of this article are distinguished members of the
scientific community. The research was published for the American College of
Neuropsychopharmacology. The authors cite countless other studies that have been
completed in order to solidify their research.
Reflection on article: Based on the claim in this article I can distinguish the average
conditions of individuals abusing substances to be likely mild between the period of early
to the middle adulthood. This is because an evaluation of the drug establishes that the
societal and psychiatric problems with the tested drug indicate a cognitive deficit in the
usage.
Zhou, Y., Zhao, M., Zhou, C., & Li, R. (2016). Sex Differences In Drug Addiction And
Response To Exercise Intervention: From Human To Animal Studies. Frontiers In
Neuroendocrinology, 40, 24-41. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2015.07.001
Summary of article: This article explains the neurobiology associated with drug
addiction and how drug addiction impacts the human nervous system. The article points out that
a common treatment for drug addiction is through the use of pharmacological treatment that
could potentially cause another addiction to yet another type of drug. The authors look at the
possibility of exercise in both prevention and rehabilitation due to sex and hormonal differences.
While men are more susceptible to drug addiction due to testosterone and stress, females are
more likely to start taking drugs as a form of self-medication and have a greater difficulty
detoxing and a greater chance of relapse. In animal studies, the use of exercise showed reduced
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
6
withdraw symptoms after both voluntary and forced exercise regiments. The challenge is to test
and trial the impact of dopamine on testosterone and estrogen in the human body while blocking
receptors associated with the “reward network processing” that the body associates as a want or
need for the continuation of drug use. Rehabilitation through exercise is one of the best
approaches to treating drug addiction.
Assessment of article: The article comes from Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology and
Science Direct. The authors are all in the field of neurobiology with a focus on sports
science. This article is a good scholarly reference due to the fact that it is peer-reviewed
and it lays out alternative methods to both prevent and rehabilitate individuals afflicted
with drug addiction through the use of exercise. The main focus is to differentiate the
impact of such treatment based on gender.
Reflection on article: Based on this article, I can claim that addiction can be treated
through the use of exercise that is geared toward specific genders. This claim will help
support my argument for solution through treatment of drug addiction without the use of
pharmacological drugs/medication that could introduce another stimulate into the
equation. The use of exercise as prevention or rehabilitation aspect to drug addiction
could have a greater impact due to not introducing yet another pharmacological
ingredient (more specifically prescription drugs obtained from opioids)
Duncan, J. R. (2012). Current Perspectives on the Neurobiology of Drug Addiction: A Focus on
Genetics and Factors Regulating Gene Expression. ISRN Neurology, 2012.
doi:10.5402/2012/972607
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
7
Summary of article: This article provides not only a basis of understanding for the cycle
of addiction that consists of four stages but a look into underlying biological factors that can lead
to drug addiction. This author states there are genetic, biological, and environmental factors that
lead some individuals toward addiction. While there is no specific gene that can be associated
with addiction, it is believed that mutation of certain genes increase an individual’s vulnerability
to addictive behaviors that is seen in families with a large group of addicts; it is estimated that
70% of risk of addictive behaviors is from heritable influences. Additionally, individuals with a
genetic predisposition or underlying psychiatric disorder (depression, stress, or anxiety) could act
as a trigger for increased risk of substance abuse.
Assessment of article: The article comes from the International Scholarly Research
Network. This article is a good scholarly reference due to the fact that it is peer-reviewed
and it explores the fact that some individuals may have a predisposition of being an
addict based on their genetic profile inherited from their parents (extended families).
Reflection on article: Based on this article, I can claim that addiction should be treated
as a disease that can be genetically inherited from biological parents (and their extended
families). This claim will help support my argument for both causation and possibly a
solution of addiction if enough research can be made to isolate and target those genes that
mutate over generations.
Running head: DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
Social Impact of Drug Addiction in America: Annotated Outline
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ENG102: English Composition II
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February 17, 2018
1
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
2
Social Impact of Drug Addiction in America: Annotated Outline
I.
Introduction
A. Thesis statement: The war on drugs in the United States has been hard fought
for over a century; the outcome however has not been that promising. Drug
addiction is on the rise and has impacted society by the result of younger
generations among the addicted, increased rates of incarceration,
homelessness, higher crime rates, and an overbearing financial cost to the
economy.
II.
Body Paragraph
A. Claim: Children who grow up in a household with family members who use
drugs or have peers who use drugs are more susceptible to becoming addicts.
This only perpetuates the cycle resulting in a greater number of addicts in the
country.
1. Evidence: Garnier and Stein (2002) contend that children will imitate
those who they see as important role models, whether they be family
or friends, and will normalize their behaviors, attitudes, and values (p.
46). In home environment or peer relationship that consists of drug
users, a child will see this as an accepted practice and can be more
inclined to continue using until they are addicted.
2. Evidence: A study conducted by Ramirez et al. (2012) showed that
over a period of a year adolescents who had four or more influences
(from family or friends) or were subjected to higher levels of conflict
within the home were more susceptible to becoming an addict (p. 40).
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
3
3. Discussion: Emotional or physical abuse in the home can and will lead
to elevated stress in adolescents. Having an “unconventional” family
environment where one or multiple family members or peers who use
and/or abuse drugs increases the chances of experimentation and
potential addiction at a younger age. When these children who are
addicts get older and reproduce, they subject their children to the same
type (or greater) environment which only perpetuates the cycle of
addiction.
III.
Body Paragraph
A. Claim: The financial implications that substance abuse has the United States
economy is overbearing and taking money away from other social welfare
plans that could better help our citizens.
1. Evidence: According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
the annual cost of substance abuse for a range of drugs and alcohol
constituted more than $740 billion dollars annually (NIDA, 2017).
This money could be used for more productive social welfare
programs that would benefit the nation as a whole.
2. Evidence: Fogoros (2018) reports the most current data shows that
substance abuse in the United States costs approximately $820 billion
and impact society by loss of productivity, crime, and increased cost
for healthcare. Fogoros (2018) takes it a step further and indicates that
substance abuse also increases the spread of AIDS/HIV, Hepatitis C,
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
4
and leads to increases in crime, unemployment, domestic violence,
divorce, and homelessness.
3. Discussion: With ever increasing economic resources being expended
to deal with substance abuse, those are lost funds that could be used
for other social programs that could help society at large, rather than a
smaller specialized group (addicts).
IV.
Body Paragraph
A. Claim: Drug use and addiction lead to higher rates of incarceration that
overburden the prison systems and can produce a cycle that impede many
individuals from bettering themselves by going in and out of prison.
1. Evidence: According to the World Prison Brief (2014), the prison
population in the United States consists of a total 2,217,947 (in local,
state, and federal prisons) inmates that have been charged for various
crimes. Of those incarcerated in federal prisons, the Federal Bureau of
Prisons (2018) state that 46.2% of the inmates are there due to drug
related offenses.
2. Evidence: Incarceration has not proven to be the most effective course
of action when dealing with addicts. According to Rehab-International
(n.d.), incarceration has been rendered ineffective in precluding
addicts from abusing drugs and alcohol. It is estimated that 95% of
incarcerated addicts go back to substance abuse when they are done
serving their time and 60%-80% will commit new offenses which will
again land them back in jail. Additionally, offenders with a history of
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
5
drug abuse are more likely to go back to their old ways because the
addiction was not treated and resulting in a cycle (Rehab-International,
n.d.).
V.
Body Paragraph
A. Claim: Drug use and addiction lead to higher rates of crime other than the
offense of using an illicit or misuse of prescription drugs.
1. Evidence: Drug abuse and use result in increased crime rates as
succinctly outlined by three major theories: economic compulsive,
systemic violence and psychopharmacological violence.
Psychopharmacological violence occurs as a consequence of drug use
enabling violent victimization or triggering criminal behavior. For
instance, when a husband takes alcohol and abuses his wife or another
intoxicated person, physically. When a user is in need of money to
fund his or her habits, he or she may partake in a burglary, robbery,
prostitution, or even shoplifting thus resulting in an economic crime.
Systemic crimes are those that take place among actors in the drug
industry. For instance, killing in order to control a territory or killing a
person for distributing and selling tainted or bad drugs (Powell, 2011).
2. Evidence: In 2010, a study in the United States revealed that male
prisoners who were drug abusers made up 70% of the prison
population (Rafaiee, Olyaee, & Sargolzaiee, 2013). Some of the
criminals who abused alcohol and/or drugs committed crimes that
were aggressive in nature constituting 21.4%. therefore, drug abuse
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
6
and use increase the rate of crime within the United States since they
are forced to partake in criminal activity so that they can obtain drugs.
A majority of addicts are unable to get or at least maintain a job and as
a result, do not have a means of generating an income. Consequently,
they turn to illegal activities resulting in a cycle of crime, addiction
and poverty (Rafaiee, Olyaee, & Sargolzaiee, 2013).
VI.
Body Paragraph
A. Counterargument: Drug use and abuse is not a disease, it is a personal choice
and society should not have to pay for someone else’s actions.
1. Evidence: Drug use and abuse is not in any way a disease,
rather, addiction is the consequence of one’s choices and thus
the society is not obliged to bear the burden. Those who assert
that alcohol is a disease raise the question, why is it that
majority of the addictions just end with no treatment (p. 29).
Why is it that 75% of the Vietnam vets who were addicted to
heroin kicked the drug upon returning home? It is difficult to
imagine a brain disease like schizophrenia spontaneously
ending because one opted to not be schizophrenic. Therefore,
addiction is not a brain disease. It is basically a nasty or bad
habit. Lewis (2015) asserts that in as much the consequences of
addiction are severe, it does not make it a disease, the same
way the effects of racism are dire do not make racism a
disease.
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
7
B. Rebuttal: Drug use and abuse is not a personal choice, it is a disease
1.
Evidence: Choices come about due to existence of a brain. The
nature of choices that one makes is dependent on the state of the
mechanism of choice (NIDA, 2014). In spite of the fact that taking
drugs on one’s first time is a decision, the brain progression is often
altered thus result to the weakening of brain circuits thereby
impeding the execution of self-control as well as the resistance to
temptation using drugs. When addiction fully sets in, the capacity of
a person to stop using drugs is limited and thereby making addiction
a disease of the brain which needs professional intervention.
Therefore, those who perceive drug use and addiction as “their own
choice” fail to understand that the brain of an addict has a
compromised choice mechanism (NIDA, 2014). Summarily, drug
use and abuse is a disease that interferes with the neuronal circuits
which enable a human being to exercise free choice.
2.
Evidence: People who use and abuse drugs need not be castigated
or blamed for suffering the disease called addiction. Every person
makes the choice on whether to use drugs and alcohol. However,
one does not get to decide how his or her body and brain will react
to the alcohol and drugs and that explains why addicted individuals
have no control over their use (CASAColumbia, 2012). Addicts are
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
8
able to stop using and abusing drugs-it is only that, it is a bit harder
for them compared to those who are not yet addicted.
VII.
Conclusion
A. Call to action: To conclude, we first need to ensure that personal drug use is
decriminalized. This is not the initiative of the courts but that of the public
health system. Secondly, we have to acknowledge that a world that is drug
free is an illusion. Instead, we have to ensure that drugs result to the least
probable harm. Thirdly, we need to focus on public education and regulation
instead of the complete drug suppression methods, which, you and I know will
not yield any results. Finally, we all need to know that drugs pose an infinite
hazard if left on the hands of people who have no regard about safety and
health.
B. Concluding statement: It can be that, the United States may never be in a
position to declare an ultimate victory on the “war on drugs,” more than it can
do away with other social menaces via efforts like “war on poverty.” But we
as the citizens of this nation, are morally responsible to our children and
ourselves to utilize every conceivable means to manage and contain the fallout
from these devitalizing substances. Reconstitution of the regional agreement
regarding this truth may not be a walk in the park or a short-term objective. It
is very important, however, that we stay focused on the cause.
DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
9
References
CASAColumbia. (2012). Addiction medicine: Closing the gap between science and practice.
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