Substance abuse of heroin, cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, and opiate amongst many others has adverse psychological and social implications on the users which eventually cause health and cultural problems. Apart from the individuals directly impacted by addiction, the society is also primarily affected socially and economically (Korner, Schmidt, &Soyka, 2015). Consequently, due to the extended effects of substance abuse on the more significant segment of the population, there has been a lot of prejudice and misinformation which has made it strenuous for the concerted efforts applied in developing preventive and curative programs to succeed. Studies have revealed that the rate of effectiveness of any prevention, management, and treatment program for any health predicament in the society is directly proportional to the comprehension and acceptance of the public concerning the related health problem (Sixsmith, Doyle, & Barry, 2013). Substance abuse is perceived to be a public health problem, and thus policies implemented should be more constructive towards encouraging the prevention and treatment of the social vise.
Statistics prove that a more extensive section of the population involved in drug use disorder is the youths that people between the ages of 15-28. Approximately 5 in every 50 people have amongst the particular age bracket have been found to have a substance dependence problem. It is estimated that about 64 million youths have a drug use disorder whereby 40 million of the total number are male and 24 million female users (Cederbaum, Guerrero, Mitchell, Kim, 2014). The population health problem is mental illness induced by substance addiction. Mental illness is one of the significant side effects of drug abuse on the youths. While there are many definitions of mental health, what is certain is that substance abuse distorts the normal functioning of the brain and the nervous system (Korner, Schmidt, &Soyka, 2015).
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Advocacy groups such as National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) have been efficient in front lining the war against drugs representing the interests of substance abusers in the country. Over 100,000 individuals are registered under the advocacy group and currently undergoing treatment to overcome addiction (National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), 2018). The program has incorporated addiction counselors, therapists, doctors, and educators who work cohesively to help eliminate addiction from the midst of the society. Additionally, there is also another advocacy group that proven successful in aiding recovery from addiction. The Faces of and Voices of Recovery is headed by individuals who aim at addressing the issue of addiction in the work places (Faces and Voices of Recovery, 2018). The society has impressively taken a more active role in ensuring that addiction is terminated.
Advocacy groups such as NAADAC and Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVR) have become a significant and effective help towards ensuring that the society thrives without addiction. The FAVR was started in the 1900s and has managed to integrate institutions like RCOs within its organization to be able to offer substantial assistance to individuals suffering from addiction especially in the corporate world (Faces and Voices of Recovery, 2018). National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) on the other hand was founded in 1972 and has equally contributed to decreased number of drug abuse individuals in the society (National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), 2018).
An appropriate advocacy campaign plan would entail practitioners, counselors, educators, and people who have successfully recovered from addiction to provide testimonies. During addiction, individuals feel trapped therefore having people who have successfully made the transition back to non users will act as motivation to the rest of individuals ( Rapeli, Fabritius, Kalska, & Alho, 2009) . The campaign should also integrate the families of the people suffering from addiction so that they can provide those recovering some moral support. It is vital for these individuals to feel loved and appreciated as this will encourage them to fight the addiction. The plan would also include activities like sports that would help individual interact with each other and help them overcome their predicaments (Körner, Schmidt, &Soyka, 2015) . Advocacy campaigns are well thought out remedies to addiction but unless they incorporate a strategic plan, no substantial achievements may be acknowledged.
Hunt et al. (2003) elaborate on harm reduction policies that are meant to reduce damages caused by substance abuse on the psychological, emotional, and physical health. The article explains the different definitions of terms which are critical to the course such as risk reduction and harm reduction. Harm reduction is associated with measures that are used to prevent drug use while risk reduction is more focused on a decrease of drugs commonly known as ‘a war on drugs’ (Poudel, Sharma, Gautam, & Poudel, 2016). Substance dependence causes impaired judgment amongst the users leading to an increased rate of truancy and school dropouts. Another policy that could assist individuals suffering from addiction is through public education. Majority of people indulge in drugs because of the lack of knowledge on the detrimental health effects. Public education will also eliminate the stigmatization of the problem amongst the society since it will be a conversation that every member of the community is present in. public education will equip the society with knowledge on how to remove the vice of addiction from its midst.
Sixsmith, Doyle, & Barry (2013) states that there is a vast range of approaches that could be applied to make preventive and curative measures for drug use disorder more effectively. The article emphasizes the relevance of using information from existing theories to acquire the required knowledge and expertise to deal with substance abuse. However, some of the theories may be outdated and the techniques suggested may be less efficient. Researchers and medical experts should instead cohesively work on better strategies to reduce the effects of addiction on individuals (Sixsmith, Doyle, & Barry, 2013). Additionally, various related institutions should liaise with the government and the numerous political organizations to formulate policies that would aid in the reduction of illegal substances in the market. One of the most effective measures would be educating the public on the detrimental side effects of substance abuse on both the individual and the society.
In conclusion, substance abuse has been a persistent problem that has threatened the health of people in the society and disrupted the normal functioning of the society. The successful treatment and prevention of drug abuse disorder are massively reliable to the general conception and reception of the public on the matter. Advocacy groups such as NAADAC and FAVR have been consistent in trying to eliminate addiction from the within the midst of the public. Prejudice and misinformation have only served to worsen the problem further because victims find it hard to admit that they need help from the fear of being judged. Hunt et al. (2003) propose that countries should embrace risk reduction methods and not harm reduction techniques. Focusing more on the source of the drugs would be sufficient in reducing the use and hence the effects of substance abuse. Sixsmith, Doyle, & Barry (2013) explain on the importance of applying knowledge obtained from various sources on addressing the problem. The implementation of policies that are adaptive and responsive would be a significant tool in fighting the war against substance dependence.
References
Cederbaum, J. A., Guerrero, E. G., Mitchell, K. R., & Kim, T. (2014). Utilization of emergency and hospital services among individuals in substance abuse treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy , 9 (1), 16.
Hunt, N., Ashton, M., Lenton, S., Mitcheson, L., Nelles, B., & Stimson, G. (2003). A review of the evidence-base for harm reduction approaches to drug use. Forward Thinking on Drugs , 5-34.
Körner, N., Schmidt, P., &Soyka, M. (2015). Decision making and impulsiveness in abstinent alcohol-dependent people and healthy individuals: a neuropsychological examination. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy , 10 (1).
National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). (2018). NAADAC, Association for Addiction Professionals. Retrieved from https://www.naadac.org/about
Faces and Voices of Recovery. (2018). Faces & Voices of Recovery: Leading America's Addiction Recovery Movement. Retrieved from https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org
Poudel, A., Sharma, C., Gautam, S., & Poudel, A. (2016). Psychosocial problems among individuals with substance use disorders in drug rehabilitation centers, Nepal. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy , 11 (1).
Rapeli, P., Fabritius, C., Kalska, H., &Alho, H. (2009). Memory function in opioid-dependent patients treated with methadone or buprenorphine along with benzodiazepine: longitudinal change in comparison to healthy individuals. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy , 4 (1), 6.
Sixsmith, J., Doyle, P., & Barry, M. (2013). Reporting Health Communication Activities for the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases in Europe. Journal of Health Communication , 18 (12), 1494-1506.
