Studies in Alcohol and Other Drugs - Essay Example

Studies in Alcohol and Other Drugs‏ Name: Institution: Course; Tutor: Date: Studies in Alcohol and Other Drugs‏ Introduction Drugs have played an imperative part in the human society; drugs like caffeine are extensively and legally utilized all over the world. Use of illegal drugs for reasons other than medical intention seems to be escalating in many parts around the globe. People use illicit drugs mainly for the effects they induce on the individual1. The effects may be change in mood, excitement, relaxation, pleasure, analgesia, stimulation, weight control, their euphoric effect, pain control etc. Other reason includes cause of the thought that drug use are beyond the norms of the society and their use shows a rebellious nature. It estimated that approximately 200 million people (4.8% of the globe’s total populace aged 16-64 consume illegal drugs annually with 25 million being classified as problem users. 2 The use of illicit drugs cause at least 10,000 deaths every year, compared to 125,000 deaths because of tobacco, and 420,000 deaths because of Alcohol (Manderson, 1988). The mortality rate attributed to the use of unlawful drugs raises with frequency and the quantity of use. The most perilous Patterns are instituted among dependent users who usually inject drugs everyday or near daily over many years.3 Studies of users of illicit drug who take drugs by injecting demonstrates this pattern is associated with increased overall mortality, including that which are result of HIV/AIDS, overdose, Suicide and Trauma. 1 This is according to Brannon, L. & Feist, J. (2009) ‘Health psychology: An introduction to behavior and health.’ Wadsworth: Cengage Learning. 2 From the article Makkai, T. & McAllister, I. (1993) ‘Public opinion and the legal status of marijuana in Australia’, The Journal of Drug Issues, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 409-427. 3 Obtained from Manderson, DRA (1988) ‘Iatrogenesis? Medical power and drug laws 1900-30’, Australian Drug and Alcohol Review, vol. 7, pp. 455-465. Other undesirable health effects that could not be reckoned includes blood borne diseases such as hepatitis B and Hepatitis C that are associated with the drug addiction.4 The aim of this essay is to review the impact of illicit drugs on personal health, on social and economic welfare, and on Economy as a whole. The impact that the illicit drugs have and the possible solutions are also considered. Impact on individual health Effects of illicit drugs on an individual’s health can vary, ranging from mild to very serious repercussion on individual’s health both in a short and long term scenario. Among the most common effects of drug is Addiction (dependence on substance to the level, at which it is, seems like it is almost impossible to survive without it). Various kinds of drugs have different types of effects on an individual’s health; For example, for amphetamines such as speed, biphetamine, pep pills etc. Side effects comprise petulance, infatuation, appetite loss, depression, aggression, malnutrition, STDs like (HIV, Hepatitis E etc.) if injected, for cocaine side-effects include addiction, raised blood pressure, increased respiratory rate, seizures, insomnia, raised body temperature etc. and in worst cases scenario death from overdose. The side effects of using Heroine includes; slurred speech, constricted pupils, respiratory depression or failure, dry itching skin, increased exposure of HIV, and other STDs to the individual 5 4 Results deduced from Iverson, L. (2008). Speed, Ecstasy, Ritalin: ‘The Science of Amphetamines.’ New York: Oxford University Press Inc. 5 obtained from Buxton, J. (2006). ‘The political economy of narcotics: production, consumption and global markets.’ Zed Books. Canada: Fernwood Publishing Ltd. On the other hand, the side effects associated with the use of marijuana are; decrease in sperm cell manufacture in males. This reduction results to males having fewer normal sperm cells, it also initiates a short term drop in the hormones that are responsible for growth and development, as well it also reduces the ability to think logically, weakens the calculating skills and adversely affects a ability of a person to perform complex and complicated tasks.6 Illicit drugs also cause variance in balance of chemicals in the part of brain that control moods, energy, appetite and attention. When this part of brain is affected the results are; mild to severe variance in mood, increased weakness, decrease in appetite, or can even cause an unusual increase in the appetite. Other popular side effects associated with the use of marijuana are nervousness, paranoia, and drowsiness, slowed reaction time, alter in perception time, tremors, alterations in the reproductive system, reduced blood flow to the brain, breathing problems, decreased concentration, nausea etc. 7It has also been known to be the cause of cancer has been shown to cause long-term damage to nerve cells in the brain, which regulate emotion, memory, sleep and pain. Some studies propose that permanent harmful effects can happen with trial employment of happiness. More quantity causes dehydration, hazardous raise in rate of heart beat and even temperature of the body. Use of Steroids has severe health consequences and might result to habit as well. Their use is associated with higher risks for hearts attacks, strokes and liver problems. In men, they can result in development of breast and shrinking of genital.8 6 Manderson, D. (1992) ‘Trends and influences in the history of Australian drug Legislation’, the Journal of Drug Issues, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 507-520. 7 from Roy, T. & Ferson, I. (1999) ‘Community view and the lawful condition of cocaine in Australia’, the Journal of Drug Issues, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 58-109. 8 From Buxton, J. (2006). ‘The political economy of narcotics: production, consumption and global markets.’ Zed Books. Canada: Fernwood Publishing Ltd. Development of breast and shrinking of genital these effects are irreversible. In both males and females, steroids causes hair loss of hair and acne, problems in mood, victim being hostile, violence and paranoia.9 Use of higher doses of nicotine tolerance leads to more doses to attain the preferred result, that increases likelihood of overdose. Overdose occurs when drugs prescribed to be taken orally are inhaled such as Oxycontin. The major Contemporary issues that are fought worldwide have been; how can the effect of illicit drugs be reduced? Are there possible ways of decreasing the number of users? Impact on social and economic welfare The effects that the illicit drugs have on social and economic welfare can be compared to effects that they have on the health of individual person. The two effects are of the same intensity and magnitude. Social effects occurs from the dependency on drugs, and this effects may differ from the type of drug that is used, or and in what condition and amount are they being used. The financial stress of consuming illicit drugs is devastating to being catastrophic because the dependency on illicit drugs is increasing 10. Drug use can also lead to difficulty in maintaining close relationships with other people. This is because it leads to either decreased or increased sex drive that can cause a person to rape in case it is increased. This has lead to breakups of numerous families when the behavior of one partner becomes bad. Drug use adversely influences the family life due to huge monumentally addiction. There are some drugs that when used, the victim becomes psychological affected. 11. 9 From Cooper, P. (1999). ‘Understanding and supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.’ Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 10&11 from Chalk, P. (2000) ‘The global heroin and cocaine trade, in G. Stokes, P. Chalk & K. Gillen (eds), Drugs and democracy: in search of new directions, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, pp. 15-35. The effects occur in the professional life as well. The victim will have several excuses regarding his/ her health and this leads to poor performance of the firm or the victim losing his/her job. The severance of the addiction of drugs will establish the time line.12 In addition; the research that was conducted by the green belt indicated that smokers have twice the risk for hip fractures as nonsmokers. Effect on Economy In the reaction to the worldwide occurrence of death that are drug-related, and premature morbidity that is from avoidable origins, recent lessening of harm should distance varied settings and groups that are besieged and make good utilization of numerous regulations and talents that are in place. This reduction in the harm has a major role in the community. By necessity, reduction of harm aims on health and social issuers around who there is often misunderstanding in the community, disgrace, and horror. The use of drugs in the past centuries was not as presently. It was used by few individuals and in few parts of the world. It is believed that the use of illicit drugs started from Southern America then later spread. This is the place where most of the slaves were deposited in the farms. It has been believed (by the users) that when one uses the illicit drugs then the energy increases. Globalization made it to spread as new cultures were brought top new countries and areas. The reduction has become a contemporary issue. It was in the resent research that UN estimated that it was at least $300 billions upto $500 billions. 13 12 Genetic liability, illicit drug use, life stress and psychotic symptoms: preliminary findings from the Edinburgh study of people at high risk for schizophrenia 13 Manderson, D. (1992) ‘Trends and influences in the history of Australian drug Legislation’, the Journal of Drug Issues, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 507-520. The number is high and if not reduced then almost every living being will be affected if not infected. Although it accounts for only 0.9% of global GDP measured at retain level, this was approximately 75% of the GDP of all the sub-Saharan African countries combined. The commerce of illicit drugs was more profitable than the business in steel, cars and pharmaceuticals. The economic cost of illicit drug and its impact on the Australian is considerably huge and its consequences on the Australian populace, allowed by a few selfish individuals, corporations and governments. In addition, drugs affect the private lives of individuals; unlawful drugs have affected the numerous facets of the Australian social order, including individual and communal way of performance. In crime and violence rates, a research about Australia has shown that a significant ratio of criminal offenders is recurrent users of illicit drugs. Since the launch of National illegal Drug Strategy, for a broader variety of supply-reduction and demand-reduction incentives, in 1999, the substantial and unsubstantial costs of illicit use of drugs were calculated approximately to be 1,683.6m.14 According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, in 2004, between 37% and 38% of all the detainees in the DUMA program ascribed the least amount of their offending incidences to drugs. Here it is to be noted that the figures above exclude the use of alcohol, with the ration elevating to 45% for the detainees who consumed drugs in the previous year or so.15 A theory exists, which states that drugs-crime linkage propose that the factor which elevates both the possibility of becoming involved in using illicit drugs and criminal offences. 14 This is according to Brannon, L. & Feist, J. (2009) ‘Health psychology: An introduction to behavior and health.’ Wadsworth: Cengage Learning. 15 From Buxton, J. (2006). ‘The political economy of narcotics: production, consumption and global markets.’ Zed Books. Canada: Fernwood Publishing Ltd. International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) lauded the decrease in number of deaths related to heroin overdoses and customs but the general consensus showed that the war on drugs is being lost, one of the major obstacles that it faced was the criticism that was directed to it, was by the police, anti-drug campaigners and health workers that its program policies would not be properly executed because it was lacking better coordination and even reliable resources. It has also been proposed that grounds such as violent and abusive upbringing or parental absence may influence individuals to associate persons with transgression activities and illicit drugs. From 2005 to 2007, arrests for drug related felonies increased by 5%. Arrest for marijuana and heroin have decreases from 1996 by 18% and 11% respectively. Detainments for amphetamines have increased by 260% since 2006-2007. From 1996-1997, 81% of arrest in relation to drugs involving marijuana, compared with 69% in 2007. 17 Illicit drugs can be assumed as the main cause of accidents in our roads. According to the research that was done in Australia, about 59% of the drivers were under the influence of the drugs. The long travel drivers made a higher percentage (38%). The drug that they mostly used was ‘Mirra’. The effects have reached global levels. The influence has spread to the breath and width of the globe. Currently, fights against illicit drugs have been the main issues in the world news.19 16 DuPont, RL. (1997). ‘The selfish brain: Learning from addiction.’ American Psychiatric Press, Inc. 17Iverson, L. (2008) Speed, Ecstasy, Ritalin: ‘The Science of Amphetamines.’ New York: Oxford University Press Inc. 18 Keane, H. (2002) ‘The Substance of Drugs, in what’s wrong with addiction, Melbourne University Press, pp. 12-26. 19 obtained from Makkai, T. & McAllister, I. (1993) ‘Public opinion and the legal status of marijuana in Australia’, The Journal of Drug Issues, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 409-427. And from Roy, T. & Ferson, I. (1999) ‘Community view and the lawful condition of cocaine in Australia’, the Journal of Drug Issues, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 58-109. Conclusion The ongoing drug abuse in Australia has to greater percentage affected both the economy of Australia and the victims. The impact on both social and economic welfare is frightening. The reception to this Australian war on drugs has been mixed, some people saying that it is essential and it should be fought to make Australia a drug free country, while others say this war can’t be won, as the enemy is invisible and the victims are easily identified. The achievement in the fight of drugs depends on the fresh involvements and techniques that may press on the extent of knowledge and tolerable ethical standards-the insinuation of which might not forever be predictable. Many organizations have laid down different strategies but most of them have been without success. However, significant achievement has been in the past twenty years through individual actions of various countries’ and through multilateral and bilateral collaboration on enforcement measures and work is ongoing in these lines. At the same time, it is essential to recognize the deep social roots of the international drug problem and the need for cooperation on a much broader basis than simple enforcement. To decrease the accidents and other related drug resulted-catastrophes is to decrease the illicit drugs. When all the strategies and techniques and combined labor are used, then we can have confidence that the vice will decrease. References Brannon, L. & Feist, J. 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(1993) ‘Public opinion and the legal status of marijuana in Australia’, The Journal of Drug Issues, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 409-427. Manderson, D. (1992) ‘Trends and influences in the history of Australian drug legislation’, The Journal of Drug Issues, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 507-520. Manderson, DRA (1988) ‘Iatrogenesis? Medical power and drug laws 1900-30’, Australian Drug and Alcohol Review, vol. 7, pp. 455-465. Otyieno, J. (1997) ‘Youths and the drug’ effects and perception of drugs by Youths, The Journal of Medicine Issue, vol. 18, no. 7, pp. 12-205. Roy, T. & Ferson, I. (1999) ‘Community view and the lawful condition of cocaine in Australia’, The Journal of Drug Issues, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 58-109. Read More