Drugs in Society

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For nearly 85 years, the government has prohibited psychoactive drugs. American leaders attempted to do the same to alcohol with Prohibition in the 10's. In any society, drug use plays a part in the culture of those people. Whether it's a native taking hallucinogens for a religious ceremony, a destitute alcoholic drinking on a city street, or a group of teenagers smoking marijuana, drugs and alcohol have the same effects in any culture (Cooper). The question of "why do people use drugs?" has been a dilemma which American medical experts and government leaders have fought to answer for years. Recently, many institutions and organizations have formed in order to fight the war on drugs and help diminish the percent of Americans who use dangerous drugs and excessive amounts of alcohol. Despite the efforts of these institutions, drug use still continues everyday. The question I hope to answer in this paper is What should American do to fight drug use?

Drugs and alcohol have been part of cultural recreation for thousands of years. Ancient China and India used marijuana thousands of years ago, and Herodotus wrote in the fifth century B.C. of the Scythians, "burning marijuana on hot rocks and producing a vapor that made them shout out loud" (Duke and Gross 44). Over 7,000 years ago, Peruvian legend attests that llamas, which were lacking in sources of food, ate the leaves of the coca plant. The result was increased energy, which led the Peruvians to eat the plant for the same reason (Duke and Gross 66). It is also a well-known fact that ancient tribes still use psychoactive drugs and drink homemade alcohol to enhance religious ceremonies. All of these examples point out that drugs have been around a long, long time, and no solution can possibly wipe out drug use totally.

Before being capable of fighting the use of drugs and alcohol, one must come to an understanding of why some people use drugs. The decision to ultimately use drugs is influenced mainly in childhood. Whether in a poor 'ghetto' neighborhood, or in a middle-class suburb, all children are vulnerable to the abuse of drugs. Most high-risk children are affected by personal and family circumstances (Falco 51). If a child's parents are substance abusers, then it is a fairly safe prediction that the child will abuse drugs later in life. Also, early-life experiments with drugs greatly increase the chance of abuse later in life. Academic problems, and rebellious or anti-social behavior in elementary school are also linked to drug problems, in addition to truancy, delinquency, and early pregnancy (Falco 5).

The United States has been called a 'drinking society'. People seem to use alcohol as a way of relaxing and relieving social tensions. Sadly, prolonged or excessive use can lead to alcoholism. In fact, of the 175 million drinkers in America, 10 to 1 million are alcoholics. Additionally, the majority of all hospital emergencies involve accidents or illnesses related to alcohol use. The production, distribution, and marketing of alcoholic beverages are employers of many people and generate large sums of money. As a whole, drinking is as much of a part of American society as apple pie and the Fourth of July. Because drinking is such a big part of our lives, the problems that arise from its use are not to be easily diminished (Snyder 1).Order custom research paper on Drugs in Society

Despite the fast-paced growth and apparent success of Alcoholics Anonymous over the past 50 years, American society has collectively paid little attention to alcohols-related problems. In the early to mid 100's, drinking was deemed generally acceptable behavior, and alcoholics were typically viewed as "an unfortunate minority of weak-willed people, victims of self-inflicted damage and hardship" (Snyder 7).

Some major steps have been taken by the institutions of American society to combat alcoholism. In 156, the American Medical Association declared alcoholism was a disease. However, the societal fear of marijuana, heroin, and prescription-drug abuse of the 160's and 70's caused concern over alcoholism to reduce quite dramatically. However, the government soon captained more programs that researched and attempted to cure alcoholism. The Hughes Bill of 170 established the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This law greatly increased the government's ability to better understand alcoholism, and therefore become able to find a solution to alcohol and drug abuse (Snyder 8).

As a result of increased understanding of alcohol and its effects, the medical profession finally defined the different stages of drinking. Social drinking is the recreational drinking of alcoholic beverages at meals, parties and special occasions. In these situations, alcohol is generally used to help the appetite and stimulate relaxation, conversation, and generally good feelings. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in social drinking is usually slow-paced, and only includes small to moderate amounts of alcohol. Alcohol misuse is the middle part of the drinking continuum, which first produces negative effects. Individuals who partake in alcohol misuse tend to converse rather loudly, make inappropriate statements, and sometimes pass out or become increasingly aggressive. Misuse is thought to only occur rarely in most drinkers. The most serious stage of drinking alcohol is alcohol abuse. This includes excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and occurs frequently. Perhaps now that science, the government, and other institutions can define alcoholism better they can increase public awareness of alcoholism.

Drug abuse has been the major concern of American society since the lavish outburst of drug use in the 60's and 70's. Congress has passed many bills which establish medical institutions to research solely on drugs and their effects. The public has contributed largely to the fight against drugs by forming such groups as DARE, LST (Life Skills Training), and STAR (Students Taught Awareness and Resistance) which provide prevention materials and strategies and attempt to teach America's youth to concentrate on their goals rather than wasting their lives away by using drugs (Babor 14).

Conclusion's can be drawn that drug and alcohol abuse and misuse is a major part of American society. The battle to reduce the rampant use of drugs and alcohol is being fought everyday by America's schools, families, and politicians. Their goal is simply stated but perhaps impossible to accomplish to create a 'drug free' society (Duke and Gross 00). However, with the increased help of psychologists, sociologists, and medical officials, perhaps Americans will finally learn the evils that arise from the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Lives are ruined, dreams are shattered, and society loses many important people to alcoholism and drug abuse.

What should American do to fight drug use? This is question that needs to be answered in order to save lives, life being the number one priority of the National Government right. I think that we are trying to answer the wrong question, instead we should be asking What can we do to preserve life in the presence of drugs? I am not the person to answer this question, but I think it is right for me to make a point; there is already a tragic irony in place in out society with alcohol being legal and marijuana being illegal. Both drugs can render a person under the influence, and both lead to a number a death, but only one of them can be sold at a 7-11.

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