Running head: SOCIAL IMPACT OF DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
Social Impact of Drug Addiction in America
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ENG102 – English Composition II
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February 25, 2018
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Social Impact of Drug Addiction in America
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, increased crime rates,
domestic violence, incarceration, homelessness, and accidents to mention but a few, which
significantly contributes to the moral decay in our society. While some individuals can
recreationally use different types of drugs and not become addicted, there are some initial risk
factors that may facilitate someone to becoming an addict. Individuals who grow up in an
inattentive household or with parents who are users are more likely to start using at a younger
age. Some studies also suggest that genetics play a part in addiction in which parents who are
addicts can pass on a genetic mutation in which adversely impacts their offspring causing that
child to have a higher probability of becoming an addict themselves, coupled with the parents
also using and the availability of drugs within the household. Peer pressure or influence can play
a significant role for individuals, especially adolescents, in starting to experiment with drugs. 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 or decriminalization.
Social problems that are linked to drug addiction
Increased rates of incarceration
Drug addiction has led to high rates of incarceration in the majority of the American
prisons which overburden the limited prison resources. In the long term, incarceration gives rise
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to a cycle which impedes the inmates from making something good out of their lives since their
lives are spent in and out of prison. The prison population (local, state, and federal) in the US
amounts to 2,217,947 inmates who have been charged with a variety of crimes (World Prison
Brief, 2014). Of the total prison population, 46.2% of the inmates in the federal prisons are
incarcerated because of charges related to drugs (Federal Bureau of Prisons, 2018).
On the other hand, incarceration has not been known to be bear any fruitful results when
it comes to dealing with drug addiction (Rehab-International, n.d.). Some 95% of addicts often
go back to the very drugs they have been using prior to their incarceration, while 60-80% of the
convicted will again be convicted of committing other forms of crimes. Additionally, offenders
who are addicted to drugs or have a history of abuse of drugs will go back to their old lives since
incarceration did not do anything to treat addiction (Rehab-International, n.d.).
High crime rates
Drug addiction and use have resulted in high crime rates in comparison to offenses
related to abuse of prescription drugs. Three theories clearly outline how drug use and addiction
result in increased rates of crime in the United States. First, the economic compulsive theory
asserts that drug addictions push addicts to partake in crimes such as burglary, shoplifting,
prostitution or even robbery so that they can get money to finance their drug habits. Secondly,
psychopharmacology theory contends that violence takes place as a result of using or abusing
drugs which trigger violent or criminal conduct. This can be the case when a husband consumes
alcohol, gets home and abuses his children or his wife. Lastly, the systemic violence theory
refers to crimes which occur within the drug rings. For instance, when a drug dealer or gang
decides to kill so that they can take over and control a particular territory (Powell, 2011).
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Male drug abusers in American prisons constituted 70% of the prison population,
according to a study in 2010 (Rafaiee, Olyaee, & Sargolzaiee, 2013). Among the convicts that
abused drugs, those found to have committed aggressive crimes and constituted to 21.4%. It is
thus prudent to assert that drug addiction and abuse have a significant role to play in the
increased crime rates in the US because it is evident that they have to engage in criminal acts so
that they can get drugs. A good number of drug addicts are not in a position to keep a job or
even get one and thus unable to have a source of income. As result, they resort to criminal
activities which propel the cycle of poverty, addiction, and crime (Rafaiee, Olyaee, &
Sargolzaiee, 2013).
Overbearing financial cost to the economy
The financial burden that drug addiction has resulted in the United States’ economy is
immense. The money invested in the curbing of the vice ought to have been invested in
improving the social welfare of the American people. Yearly costs pumped in drug use and
abuse is estimated to be beyond $740 billion (NIDA, 2017). The money ends up benefiting a
particular few rather than be of greater good to the nation as a whole. Therefore, this makes the
effort of curbing drug addiction in the US a costly affair.
The most recent data depicts that substance use and abuse in the US costs roughly 820
billion dollars and affects the nation through loss of productivity, increased healthcare costs and
crime (Fogoros, 2018). Additionally, drugs and substance abuse increase the prevalence of
HIV/AIDS, unemployment, spread of Hepatitis C, homelessness, domestic violence and divorce
(Fogoros, 2018). With the increasing financial resources dedicated to tackling the menace of
drug addiction, much is lost that could have been put to programs that benefit the entire populous
and not only addicts.
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Homelessness
Drug addiction has been established as a cause as well as consequence of homelessness in
the United States. Guerrero, Song, Henwood, Kong, and Kim (2018) contend that substance
abuse is the number one health risks among the homeless (p. 65). Drug use and addiction is a
risk factor within the social production as well as maintenance of the homelessness status.
Homelessness is a cause of drug abuse in the sense that, addiction disorders strain the
relationships with friends and families and in several instances, it leads to joblessness. For
individuals who struggle to pay their bills, the exacerbation or onset of addiction may lead to loss
of housing.
People who have no domiciles resort to the use of drugs in order to cope with their
current situations. The use of drugs by the homeless is an attempt to achieve temporal relief. In
actuality, drug abuse worsens their situations and reduces their slim chances of getting
employed. Additionally, the homeless resort to drug abuse in order to be accepted in the
homeless community (National Coalition for the Homeless, n.d).
Causes of drug addiction
Drug addiction affects an addict’s brain as well as behavior and results to the inability of
one to control the use of illegal or legal medications or drugs. Upon addiction, the individual
can end up using the drug continuously regardless of the impact it has on his or her body. Just
like any other mental condition, several factors play a significant role in resulting in drug
addiction. The main ones include:
Genetics
SOCIAL IMPACT OF DRUG ADDICTION IN AMERICA
When one has begun using a particular drug, the development towards the path of
addiction can be influenced by genetics (inherited) characteristics that can speed up or delay the
progression of the disease. According to Spanagel et al. (2010) there is a long-standing
acceptance that there is a “genetic component of vulnerability to addiction” (p. 317). 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). The main
question is how to accurately predict the risk of dependent parents or patients using genetic
indicators. There is also the moral question of providing consumers genetic testing that can
provide information indicating on if they have a genetic predisposition for addiction for either
themselves or potentially their offspring. While there can be a genetic predisposition, many
individuals will not be aware of their circumstance and may never become addicted unless
triggered by other factors.
Environment
Neisewander, Peartree, and Pentkowski (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). The environment at home, particularly during childhood is a
significant factor. For instance, when a child is raised by parents who abuse and are addicted to
drugs, he or she is more likely to follow the same steps as he or she grows up. Older family
members or parents who abuse drugs and alcohol or engage criminal conduct also increase a
child’s risk of developing drug issues. Garnier and Stein (2002) contend that “parents may
effectively establish drug use behaviors, reduce children’s internal restraints to drug use, and,
through positive attitudes toward drug use, encourage adolescents to seek affiliations with peers
who similarly use drugs” (p. 46). Acquaintances and friends may have a strong influence in the
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adolescent stage. Peers who use drugs can influence those who do not possess the risk factors to
try and do drugs for the first time. Ramirez, Hinman, Sterling, Weisner, and Campbell (2012)
found that adolescents who chose to experiment with drugs or alcohol with their friends did so
because the peer structure is increasingly more significant as adolescents mature (p. 37). Failure
in academics or poor social skills also put a child at risk of becoming addicted or use drugs.
Risk factors
Individuals of any economic status, sex and age can be addicted to a particular drug.
Particular factors can speed up addiction development or affect the likelihood.
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Poverty in the community where one resides;
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Availability of drugs at home, in the neighborhood and school;
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Experimentation of drugs;
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Unavailability of parental supervision;
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Poor social skills,
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Early use-changes in brain developments as a result of early drug use thus increasing the
probability of progressive use.
Solutions to the drug addiction problem
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 non-
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judgmental 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).
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Zhou, Zhao, Zhou, and Li (2016) contend that there is overwhelming evidence for the
notion that rehabilitation is one of the best approaches to treating drug addiction (p. 24).
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. A response to cultural differences is also needed when designing treatment for
specific demographics. Within communities consisting of a large minority population, programs
and staffing must reflect support those who may speak two or more languages that are prevalent
in the area.
Sending addicts to treatment programs rather than incarceration helps to reduce crime
rates as well as enables the state to save money. Reduction in incarceration can result in the
savings of billions of dollars in expenses as a result of reduced crime rates which in turn lead to
fewer re-incarcerations and re-arrests (Drug Free, n.d.). Zarkin et al. (2012) constructed a
hypothetical model to study the cost benefit of diversion to a treatment program in lieu of
incarceration. Within the hypothetical model there was a sizeable reduction in crime, arrests and
reincarcerations equating to a reduction of crimes between 2.5% - 6.4% (p. 10). Adoption of
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treatment helps the addicts to change their behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes; prevent relapse and
effectively exclude them from a life of crime and substance abuse.
Creation of Awareness and Advocacy
People become addicted to alcohol due to the lack of information on the appropriate
approaches at reducing over-reliance on alcohol within the community. Understanding the
burden of being an addict 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.
The use of social media, television and radio can be an effective tool used in educating
families and the American populous at large on the prevention of drug abuse. This is effective in
tackling non-medical utilization of narcotic pain drugs. Education is vital in fighting drug
addiction because it makes the American society aware of the impact, effects and dangers that
drugs pose to overall human health. This approach works well especially with children and other
people who are contemplating using drugs, especially for the first time.
Decriminalization
Some drugs should be decriminalized in the United States to inspire people to look for
help with no fear of being reprimanded. Through the provision of drug treatment for those in
need may just be one way of combating the menace without necessarily waging a war. Portugal
has set precedence by employing this solution where no punishment and no prison and all drugs
decriminalized-from cannabis to crack, which resulted in a decline by 50% in drug use (Branch,
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2015). However, decriminalization needs to be coupled with treatment for the results to be
effective.
Conclusion
Richard Nixon branded drugs as “public enemy number one” in 1971 and it has thus
started the new war on drugs. So far, the war in fighting drugs has never been a successful one.
However, the United States can borrow a page from Portugal which had one of the worst drug
problems in Europe but overcame the epidemic through decriminalization. Addiction has
resulted in societal issues that have stifled the progress of the nation. Further research is needed
to prevent genetic mutation and passing along a predisposition of becoming an addict as that
only leaves the likelihood of an increasing problem. Adoption of the preceding solutions such as
guidance, treatment, education advocacy, and decriminalization will change the rhetoric on how
America perceives such a problem of epic proportions. After all, it is about time that everyone
sees drug addicts as individuals who are in dire need of assistance, the use of drugs as a health
problem instead of a crime and rehabilitation as a means of better helping society. Finally,
America needs to keep hope alive because there is recovery from addiction. Hard work, good
treatment, and continuous support will go a long way in alleviating addiction in the country.
What is not certain is when the war will be won, but it surely will, it is just a matter of time,
patience and commitment to the cause.
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