Drug Addiction as a Social Problem: Causes and Responses

Introduction

Drug addiction has increased radically throughout the world over the past few decades. The changing moral trends in society and rising levels of depression have significantly accelerated this problem, which has taken root swiftly in all parts of society — particularly among teenagers. Numerous reports confirm that all major countries of the world are suffering from the social evil of drug addiction (Elliott et al., 2008).

According to Elliott et al. (2008), drug addiction can be defined as an intense, patterned, and uncontrolled dependence on a drug to an extent where the human body develops a tolerance to a specific medication or substance. An individual addicted to drugs becomes helpless in terms of controlling use of that particular drug despite being aware of its harsh impact on physical health and well-being.

Thesis Statement: The problem of drug addiction has become the most significant social problem of the current era, as it lies at the base of many other social problems.

Drug Addiction as a Social Problem

The consistent increase in drug addiction, particularly among teenagers, is deeply alarming. According to Elliott et al. (2008), drug addiction is the use of drugs for non-medical reasons, driven by the urge to stay relaxed, seek diversion from everyday pressures, or simply to comply with prevalent trends within a peer group.

Illegal drug abuse rose from 5% to 15% between 2005 and 2010, owing to the massive shift of teenagers toward this destructive trend (DuPont, 2010). According to a research study conducted by the federal government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 16 million teenagers aged between 12 and 20 years are addicted to prescribed drugs used for non-medical purposes (Young, 2008). This growing inclination has emerged partly from the misconception that prescription drugs are not dangerous because they are medically manufactured and readily available at pharmacies. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has confirmed that a key factor in prescription drug addiction is the relative ease of access — nearly half of drug abusers obtain the required substance from household medicine cabinets, friends, or relatives (Elliott et al., 2008).

Implications of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction has an intensely adverse impact on the health and efficiency of an individual, harming both mental potential and physical functioning. It causes pupil constriction, increases body fatigue and perspiration, and reduces appetite, leading to significant weight loss (Elliott et al., 2008). Stimulants and hallucinogens are particularly dangerous, as they distort normal active functioning. The speech of drug abusers becomes slurred, and the skin becomes flushed (Elliott et al., 2008). Abusers are also highly vulnerable to insomnia or excessive sleepiness accompanied by persistent exhaustion. Addiction to opiate analgesics specifically affects the respiratory centers in the brain, distorting normal breathing patterns (McCabe et al., 2007).

Beyond the physical consequences, the psychological effects of drug addiction are an equally critical concern. According to a research report from the U.S. Department of Mental Health, people addicted to drugs suffer from frequent mood swings, chronic frustration, clumsiness, and forgetfulness (Young, 2008). They lose interest in academics, personal appearance, and career development, and often exhibit erratic or enigmatic behaviors.

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that deaths caused by excessive abuse of prescription drugs have surpassed casualties caused by road accidents in the United States (Johnson, 2011). The data reveal that severely reduced ability to concentrate results in careless driving, contributing to the rising number of accidental deaths.

Drug addiction is among the leading causes of the considerable increase in crime rates in the United States. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, pharmacy robberies have doubled compared to the previous decade (McCabe et al., 2007). Drug addiction also increases criminal impulses in individuals by destabilizing their mental functioning, leading to involvement in street crimes and robberies as they seek gratification through increasingly reckless means (McCabe et al., 2007).

The rising inclination toward drug addiction is alarming because it threatens the developmental progress of every affected country, including the United States. The reduction in career-oriented approaches among teenagers will result in passive citizens who become a burden on society rather than contributors to it.

Conclusion

The problem of drug addiction has become the most significant social problem of the current era, as it lies at the base of many other social problems. In the current competitive era, the United States cannot afford to leave the perilous issue of drug addiction unaddressed. Youth is the segment of society most capable of driving the future progress and development of the nation. It is an urgent priority — given the uncertain social trends of today — to ensure the healthy lives of teenagers so that they can contribute to the economic and social stability of the United States with a more productive and grounded approach. Active collaboration among parents, public and private sector organizations, and medical practitioners is essential to confronting drug addiction with the proactive strategy it demands.

References

DuPont, R. L., M.D. (2010). Drug addiction: An epidemic dilemma. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 42(2), 127–132.

Elliott, E. T., Souder, C. A., Privette, T., & Richardson, W. H. (2008). Teen prescription drug abuse. Clinician Reviews, 18(11).

Friedman, R. A. (2006). The changing face of teenage drug abuse — the trend toward prescription drugs. The New England Journal of Medicine, 354(14), 1448–1450.

Gu, Q., Dillon, C. F., & Burt, V. L. (2010). Prescription drug use continues to increase: U.S. prescription drug data for 2007–2008. NCHS Data Brief, 42, 76–82.

Johnson, B. A. (2011). Addiction medicine: Science and practice. Springer.

McCabe, S. E., West, B. T., Morales, M., Cranford, J. A., & Boyd, C. J. (2007). Does early onset of non-medical use of prescription drugs predict subsequent drug addiction and dependence? Results from a national study. Addiction, 102(12), 1920–1930.

Young, L. (2008). Generation Rx: Taking action on teen drug addiction. Cross Currents, 11, 4–5.