Drugs and Alcohol

Figure 5
(source:  http://addictsnomore.org/)

I chose to bring up drugs and alcohol because they are common issues that nearly everyone has come face to face with.  This could be with a friend or family member, or even through relations with co-workers. Chapter 3 covered alcohol and drug abuse sociologically as a global issue.  Societal norms and consequences, treatment options, frequently used legal and illegal drugs, and what the term drug abuse means is covered in depth within this chapter.  Some people have been victims of crime stemming from drug and alcohol abuse, and hundreds of thousands of people die due to individuals who have been driving under the influence of alcohol.  Addiction is an illness that spans across all socioeconomic statuses, and through all cultures.

Figure:6
(Resource  Borderless News and Views)

Often times the focus has been on what to do with a person after they have established an addiction, or a criminal record due to their addiction.  Once a person has reached the level of becoming incarcerated as an addict, they have left behind a devastating path.  The following quote from the journal article "Drugs and Crime" summarizes how an addiction can affect society.

"The nexus of crime and addiction is an area worthy of

attention. The commission of crime and the use of illicit

substances are both deviant, problematic behaviors that cause

vast amounts of human suffering and societal unrest. The

economic costs of these behaviors to society are staggering"(Nordstrom).

When it is said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, this is very true in regards to addictions.  Families, neighbors, and society in general all have to deal with the consequences that are a result of addictions.  With the weakening of societal norms, people are becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol at an earlier age.

In this video clip, "Teens Addicted to Prescription Drugs", teens candidly discuss their addiction.  The video also gives an overview of some of the negative effects that are a result of using drugs.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/addictions.html

This link is an educational site for children, teens, and adults.  The focus is on providing help and information to at risk teens and children.

http://www.na.org/

This is a link to Narcotics Anonymous.  This site has a wealth of information, as well as recovery from drugs and alcohol through a 12 step program.