Drug abuse refers to the illicit use of drugs which have physiological and psychological effects to the body when ingested. Drug abuse is a global health problem that continues to raise health concerns throughout the world and across societies as it affects lives and work of many different people. Dealing with the issue of substance abuse and addiction to alcohol drug and tobacco problems have to be addressed at the society levels for efficient and effective solutions (Volkow, 2014). Drug abuse and addiction is a complex and multidimensional problem that has consistently failed to respond to traditional rehabilitation methods and continues to harm society.
Many assume that drug problem affects only the individual involved which is usually not the case. Therefore, drug abuse is defined as a societal problem because it affects the pillars of society like family health, education, employment, security, productivity and limits growth and development (Mooney et al., 2014). The impacts of drug abuse are felt across societies and plays a role in the derivation of major social problems such as drugged driving, violence stress, and child abuse. It has led to homelessness, crime workplace conflicts, miscarriages and abortions with the imminent destruction of families, relationships, and societies.
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Impact on family
Drug abuse directly affects the individual who is the addicted person and their family and extends to changing the community and the nation. Addiction is a destructive illness that affects every member of the family (Mendes & Fagan, 2016). The risks posed by drug abuse include those of violence within the home, accidents, and environmental factors including housing education and employment. When a member of a family is addicted to substance abuse, he or she suffers mental and behavioral health issues which trickle to all aspects of life including the family. The family suffers emotional and psychologically (Clinard & Meier, 2015. The affected individual becomes a burden and dependent on others which places a resource burden on the family. Funds that should be used or family development and progress are used in rehabilitation and prevention of further damage (Mooney et al., 2014). The family becomes reliant on professional counselors and therapists to overcome addiction and may be forced to rely on the National Health Service programs funded with the taxpayer’s money.
Impact on health
Individual affected by drug abuse an addiction suffer from poor health. They continuously subject their lives to risks as they are in constant danger of accidental overdose and injuries that can arise while under the substance influence. Their recovery requires a substantial investment of resources in medical care (Mendes & Fagan, 2016). Drug addicts affect the society in their requirement to intensive care associated with drug addiction. The recovery process requires intensive therapy and counseling as well as expensive medicines. Drug addicts are also prone to infectious disease due to sharing of infected items such as needles.
Impact on crime
There is a close link between crimes and drug abuse first because all drugs are taken without prescription are illegal substances which makes their supply and distribution a crime. Many drug dealers’ exists in the current society who source and supply drugs even to minors which have led to continued cases of addiction and its adverse consequences on the community (Clinard & Meier, 2015). Also, many crimes are committed by people under the influence of drugs such as theft, burglary, murder, serial killing, shoplifting and other crimes as addicts try to get money for sustaining their addictive habits.
Policies and Laws that Make Drug Abuse Illegal
As a social issue, drug abuse has attracted a prominent and widely acceptable way of dealing with drug addicts. The imposing of punishment which is done through the criminal justice system and has become a lucrative approach especially for the private sector and a costly process for the taxpayer (Mooney et al., 2014). The government, however, continues to wage war against drug use through the strategy of law enforcement. As a social issue, the government has put severe measures such as those that address other social problems such as poverty, long-term unemployment to correct the deteriorating lives conditions that affect individuals across all communities.
The government aim is to destroy and prosecute channels to drug sources, supply and distributions by bringing to justice traffickers through a direct attack on drug trade (Akers, 2017). Through the aggressive approach, the government has imprisoned many gang leaders. Also, many different laws have been implemented that exercise taxation, regulation and quality control in the industry.
Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986
The act is the first significant law passed by Congress on the "War on Drugs." It provides mandatory minimums and increased maximum sentences with expanded forfeiture, deportation, increased crack sanctions that have created a disparity between possessing crack and cocaine. Under the anti-drug abuse law, a campaign of the prohibition of drugs is presented through military aid and military intervention. The proposal aims at reducing the illegal drug trade and use of substances in the United States (Akers, 2017). The initiative was introduced and proposed the different set of drugs policies meant to discourage production distribution and consumption of the specific psychoactive drugs made illegal by the government in collaboration with the United Nations (Volkow, 2014). The act was introduced in the early 1980s, where the anti-drug cause was prominently lead by Nancy Reagan, the first lady to President Ronald Regan in the ‘Just Say No’ Campaign that targeted to discourage teens for the use of drugs.
The Drug Prohibition Law of 1880
The prohibition laws in the united states were introduced in the 18th century where they laws became strict especially on pharmaceuticals on mislabeling of drugs, for example, the agreement between China and the US on the shipment of opium. Under prohibition law, other acts such as the introduction of Pure Food and Drug Act requires that certain specified drugs, including alcohol, cocaine, heroin, morphine, and cannabis, be accurately labeled with contents and dosage unlike before where secret ingredients were allowed. The Harrison Narcotic Act to regulate the distribution of opiate-containing substances in the domestic market and laws of prosecution of prosecuting doctors who prescribe opiates to addicts. Other prohibitions include the Alcohol Prohibition Act which has since been codified under the federal constitutional amendment and approved by 36 states out of 48 consists of the most influential bans aimed at controlling drug abuse (Volkow, 2014).
Sociological Theory on Drug Abuse as a Societal Problem
A sociological theory approach is best suited to describe drug abuse as a societal phenomenon. Sociological theory is based on an understanding of social events such as influenced by culture, social and economic aspects, origins and ties. Sociological theories associate the drug problem with external factors present in the society and outside the individual, which makes the Anomie sociological theory, in particular, to stand out (Volkow, 2014). The approach developed by Emile Durkheim in his book, ‘The Division of Labor in Society’ that was published in 1893 focuses on the social breakdown in the society (Akers, 2017). About drug abuse, the theory focus on the analysis of social norms where people no longer have guidance or social control. The theory describes the rise of social problems as a result of the social discrepancy between the socially approved goals and the means of achieving the goals.
Sociologists aim at exposing both direct and indirect ties in the environment that trigger drug use. Therefore, they argue when a person is prevented from achieving their set goals by hindrances in the society, they turn to the use of drugs or alcohol. Drug abuse becomes an escape from the pressures and failure to reach the goals as dictated by society (Akers, 2017). The sociological theory incorporates concepts like inequality, poverty, social disorganization relates to the prevalence of drug use in society to explain drug abuse. Understanding the phenomena of drug abuse in the nation is instrumental to sociologists to help in the formulation of social policies for prevention and control).
Sociologists focus on the need to reach goals and evaluates drug abuse as an outlet of pressure and a way to feel high and experience good feelings despite the failure in real life. The theory argues that people adapt and retreat into the world of drug and alcohol addiction and escape into unproductive and life without striving to fit into society (Mooney et al., 2014). The leading causes of addiction are the lack of proper establishment of social relations where the community has weak social ties and alienation of individual to deal with personal issues have resulted in drug abuse as they seek for solutions and comfort
In seeking to explain the behaviors and consequences, sociological theorists asses that the community must address the drug problem from a cultural perspective by setting standards of behaviors and norms that will be acceptable and adhering to the rules and code of conduct (Mendes & Fagan, 2016). Those who fail to comply and live within the set codes of conduct will be corrected and rehabilitated to conform to the demands of the society which requires informed, behaved, and socially productive individuals who are observant to the cultural, social and economic dimensions of the community.
Conclusion
Drug abuse is a societal problem that affects individuals, families, and societies. Despite the federal government efforts to curb the social problem through law enforcement, there is a need for the community to engage in other preventive measures. The measures should address the cultural, political differences which have different causes and solutions across different cultures. The government should be more open to the redirection of public resources through social development, offering economic opportunities and effective treatment to the affected population to enhance safety health, and well-being of the society by creating drug-free organizations.
References
Akers, R. (2017). Social learning and social structure: A general theory of crime and deviance . Routledge.
Clinard, M. B., & Meier, R. F. (2015). Sociology of deviant behavior . Nelson Education.
Mendes, G., & Fagan, J. M. (2016). Incorporating Substance Abusers into Society Post-Incarceration: Using Community Outreach Programs to Break the Cycle of Repeat Incarcerations for Substance Abuse.
Mooney, L., Knox, D., & Schacht, C. (2014 ). Understanding social problems . Nelson Education.
Volkow, N. D. (2014 ). America’s addiction to opioids: heroin and prescription drug abuse. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, 14.
