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Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious problem among many young people for a variety of reasons. First, statistics show that drugs and alcohol are being abused by a large segment of the teen and young adult population, which can greatly increase their likelihood of a premature death. Secondly, many things can happen to young adults that do not lead to death, but can ruin their lives. Finally, drug and alcohol abuse can have a serious impact on relationships with friends and family.
According to the National Drug Statistics Summary, approximately 14 million Americans used illegal drugs in 2000. Among the teenagers interviewed for the survey, nearly ten percent had used drugs in the month before the interview. The findings for alcohol abuse were even higher. Nearly half of Americans over the age of twelve reported that they drank alcoholic beverages. This is a serious issue. First, the drugs in themselves can cause serious ill effects to the body. For example, Amphetamines increase the heart rate and can cause such as unconsciousness, violent seizures and brain damage. Secondly, drugs and alcohol greatly improve the chances for a young adult to die prematurely in a vehicle-related accident while under the influence. Their chances of being the victim of a homicide or of committing suicide while using drugs or alcohol are also higher.
Many things can happen to a teenager or a young adult who regularly uses drugs or alcohol that do not lead to death, but that can ruin their lives just the same. One of the most graphic examples of this can be seen in the life story of Jacqueline Saburido, a young woman who came to the United States from Venezuela to study the English language. When Jacqui was 20 years old, she and some friends were coming…
References
Hafetz, David. Jacqueline and Amadeo: Chasing Hope. Austin American Statesman. 2002 May. February 13, 2010. < http://www.helpjacqui.com/pdf/jacqui.pdf>
National Drug Statistics Summary. Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base. 2007. February 13, 2010. <http://www.adolescent-substance-abuse.com/national-drug-statistics.html>
Substance use is frequently associated with child abuse and domestic violence. It also is a leading contributor to marital dissatisfaction, family breakups and rejection of family members. The importance of the family in understanding alcohol and drug use and abuse is underlined by these highly destructive consequences of alcohol and drug dependency on the abuser and the family. (Lala; Straussner; Fewell, 17) Peer Group plays an important part in resolving
In some cases, these issues or problems stem from different cultural views and beliefs. While at other times, these issues will affect someone who lives in an environment with: parental drug/alcohol related problems, disruptions to the family, social deprivations, the lack of economic opportunities, physical/sexual abuse, peer pressure and stress. The question I will try to determine is whether or not ethnicity and economic factors play a major influence
Drugs and Alcohol's Influence On Crime Rates There is a growing problem here in the United States, as well as around the world. Drug and alcohol use is skyrocketing out of control. On the one hand, many within modern society claim that it is their right to decide what they put in their own bodies and how they can behave. Yet, on the other, there is the much older view that
5%, and 7% of patients had an alcohol-related discharge diagnosis (Ganry, Joly, Queval, & Dubreuil, 2002). Both studies indicate alcohol abuse in elderly populations, however additional studies are needed to examine the general nature of the problem. Alcohol abuse is not the only misdiagnosed and mistreated diagnosis suffered by the elderly. There is also growing concern regarding drug use, notably prescription drug use. The elderly is considered one of the highest-risk
For the purpose of spreading the information this paper includes some of the signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence. Consuming five or more drinks in a row for boys and four or more drinks in a row for girls is considered binge drinking. Alcohol poisoning is a grave consequence of binge drinking. The signs of alcohol poisoning are feeling confused; having a seizure; experiencing irregular breathing; pale or blue-tinged skin;
Seeing more advertisements had a stronger effect on drinking than drinking had on noticing advertisements. The effect of alcohol advertising exposure on youth drinking was small and positive. The advertising effects were similar for the subset of underage respondents (Martin et al., 2002, 902 citing Snyder et (2006)." In addition to Snyder et al. (2006) other researchers have examined the impact of alcohol advertisements on underage youth. For instance, in