Social Impact of Drug Addiction in the United States

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READ FIRST: This paper REALLY has to shine on the social impact of drug addiction in the United States (problem, cause, and solution). This CAN NOT be geared towards the medical aspect - it has to reflect the SOCIAL impact of drug addiction.

Option #2: Speculating about Causes and Proposing Solutions for a National or Global Social Issue

Explore a national or global social issue in your area, at least one of its causes, and a potential solution. For your topic, the social issue should be a problem that can be proven to exist and has potential to be solved.

Begin by stating a thesis that defines the problem, identifies and evaluates at least one aspect of the cause, and offers one potential solution. These three points—problem, cause, and solution—will be used as level I headings for the major parts of the body content.

Requirements:

  • The paper should be 6-8 pages in length (double-spaced), plus a reference page/title page, and should use a minimum of eight credible sources. The CSU-Global Library is an excellent place to search for credible, scholarly sources.
  • Document and citation formatting should be in conformity with the CSU-Global Guide to Writing & APA. At the top of your outline, include an open-ended research question that defines the problem and asks how the problem can be solved.

Example/research question: What would it take to reduce obesity in the United States/Ohio?

The research question should be followed by a thesis, which answers the research question by stating a problem, cause, and solution. The thesis can be two sentences long if necessary.

Example/thesis: [Problem] Obesity across the United States is on the rise [Cause] partly due to the amount of trans fats contained in restaurant food. [Solution] One solution would be to regulate the amount of trans fats restaurants are permitted to include in the food they serve and to require restaurants to clearly indicate the level of trans fats contained within each menu item.

NOTE: The sample topic above cannot be used for your project. Topics that should be avoided are those currently being debated widely among media sources. Some topics to avoid include abortion, sex trafficking, gun control, and immigration.

Refer to the Portfolio Project Rubric available in the Module 8 Folder for more information on assignment expectations and grading.

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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. https://csuglobal.schoology.com/external_tool/592504771/launch 1/4 2/21/2018 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 https://csuglobal.schoology.com/external_tool/592504771/launch Limited Evidence 2/4 2/21/2018 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. https://csuglobal.schoology.com/external_tool/592504771/launch 3/4 2/21/2018 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 https://csuglobal.schoology.com/external_tool/592504771/launch 290 60 350 4/4 Running head: DRUG ADDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES Drug Addiction in the United States XXXXX ENG102 – English Composition II XXXXX XXXXX 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 XXXXXX ENG102: English Composition II XXXXXX XXXXXX February 4, 2018 1 DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 2 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 XXXXXXXXXXXX ENG102: English Composition II XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX 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. Retrieved February 13, 2018, from https://www.centeronaddiction.org/addictionresearch/reports/addiction-medicine-closing-gap-between-science-and-practice Federal Bureau of Prisons. (2018, January 27). Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://www.bop.gov/about/statistics_inmate_offenses.jsp Fogoros, R. N. (2018, January 10). The Costs of Drug Use to Society. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-costs-of-drug-abuse-to-society63037 Garnier, H. E., & Stein, J. A. (2002). An 18-Year Model of Family and Peer Effects on Adolescent Drug Use and Delinquency. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 31(1), 45-56. National Drug Intelligence Center. (2011, April). The Economic Impact of Illicit Drug Use on American Society. Retrieved February 10, 2018, from https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs44/44731/44731p.pdf National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017, April 24). Trends & Statistics. Retrieved February 10, 2018, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics Powell, M. A. (2011). A comprehensive analysis of the drug-crime relationship. Research Papers, 100, 1-26. Rafaiee, R., Olyaee, S., & Sargolzaiee, A. (2013). The relationship between the type of crime and drugs in addicted prisoners in Zahedan central prison. International journal of high risk behaviors & addiction, 2(3), 139. DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA 10 Ramirez, R., Hinman, A., Sterling, S., Weisner, C., & Campbell, C. (2012). Peer Influences on Adolescent Alcohol and Other Drug Use Outcomes. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 44(1), 36-44. Rehab-International. (n.d). Why Imprisonment Is More Harm Than Help to Addicted Offenders. Retrieved February 17, 2018, from https://rehab-international.org/blog/imprisonmentharm-help-addicted-offenders. Taxy, S., Samuels, J., & Adams, W. (2015). Drug Offenders in Federal Prison: Estimates of Characteristics Based on Linked Data. Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1-9. World Prison Brief. (n.d). United States of America. Retrieved February 10, 2018, from http://www.prisonstudies.org/country/united-states-america
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Running head: SOCIAL IMPACT OF DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA

Social Impact of Drug Addiction in America
Student’s Name
Affiliate Institution

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SOCIAL IMPACT OF DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA

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Abstract
The war on drugs in the US is a notable cause, though not much has been done to curb both the
abuse, use of prescription and illicit drugs thus resulting in increasing levels of drug addiction. In
the past decade, the United States has witnessed a high number of health-related issues which are
in some way traced back to the use and abuse of drugs. There have also been social issues which
significantly promote decay in the societal morals. The war is fought from various perspectives
where one part of the society think that policies are effective in curbing the vice while the others
think that cognitive behavioral therapies are efficient in reduction of relapses and initial
addiction. Regardless of the approach, drug addiction needs to be fought hard with the
collaboration of all the relevant participants as well as the integration of policies and strategies.

SOCIAL IMPACT OF DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA

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Table of Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Social problems that are linked to drug addiction .......................................................................... 4
Increased rate of incarceration .................................................................................................... 4
High crime rates .......................................................................................................................... 5
Overbearing financial cost to the economy ................................................................................. 6
Homelessness .............................................................................................................................. 6
Causes of drug addiction ................................................................................................................. 7
Genetics ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Environment ................................................................................................................................ 7
Risk factors .................................................................................................................................. 8
Solutions to the drug addiction problem ......................................................................................... 8
Treatment .................................................................................................................................... 8
Education ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Decriminalization ........................................................................................................................ 9
Conclusion ....................................................................

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