|
Sample: Order
Now
Effects
of Drug Abuse
Introduction
Drugs like Amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, LSD and other hallucinogens,
and certain chemicals used in glue and some solvents are habit-forming.
Any person taking these drugs on a regular basis in time becomes psychologically
dependent on them. The user of a habit-forming drug feels compelled to
continue taking the drug in order to maintain the state of well-being
produced by it, but the drug is not essential for the physical needs of
the body. When deprived of the drug, a habituated person becomes restless,
irritable, and anxious. Most drugs that are addictive are described as
abusive as they are not only habit forming but also destroy the physiological,
biological and sociological environment and being of the person.
Analysis
Many illicit drugs do not occur naturally. Unlike cocaine, heroin and
marijuana, which are derived from plants, synthetic drugs are produced
solely from chemicals. These synthetic drugs include stimulants, depressants
and hallucinogens, known as dangerous drugs; synthetic narcotics, such
as methadone; and controlled substance analogs, often called "designer
drugs." A
controlled substance analog has a chemical structure similar to a controlled
substance, and is designed to produce a similar effect.
Heroin and barbiturates are physiologically addictive. These drugs alter
the body chemistry so that the drug becomes necessary for the normal physical
functioning of the body. Such physical dependence takes about six weeks
of regular drug use to develop. Because of this effect on the body chemistry,
an addict develops painful, physical withdrawal symptoms if the drug is
discontinued suddenly.
The sociological implications of drug abuse among the youth have been
a major threat to the peaceful co-existence of all and sundry in our contemporary
society, thereby destroying the socio-political dignity, personality and
integrity of dependence on life. Secondly, the parental background of
a child can also affect the over-dependence rate on drugs among the affected
youths. Due to various family problems like broken homes (divorces), abject
poverty, cultural influence, parental neglect, lack of parental affection
and responsibility. A father that is a drug addict, may be greatly influenced
and "carried away" by any of his children. Like father, like
son.
Hallucinogens alter mood, and, in large doses, cause delusions and hallucinations.
This impaired judgment can lead a user to physically harm himself or others.
"Flashbacks," in which the user has a brief recurrence of the
psychedelic effects of hallucinogens, sometimes occur long after the drug
is used.
Drug abuse affects much more than the individual drug user; it also impacts
on families, communities and entire governments. The taint of drugs has
reached into virtually every aspect of American life, from public safety
to the integrity of professional sports. Each time a drug user buys cocaine,
heroin, or other drugs, he makes a contribution to organized crime. Such
contributions are the sole sustenance of the violence, corruption, illness
and death that trafficking groups bring to this and other societies.
Conclusion
Experimentation with drugs does not always lead to addiction. For example,
most people who smoke or drink alcohol do not become physically dependent
on these drugs. But psychological dependence can develop relatively rapidly.
The regular use of "soft" drugs, such as marijuana, does not
necessarily result in addiction to "hard" drugs. However, most
people who go on to use "hard" drugs used "soft" drugs
first, which is why they are considered "gateway" drugs to illicit
drug use. Therefore, experimentation with drugs must not be ignored; parents
should explain to their children the dangers of even casual drug use.
Sources
1. http://www.mediacampaign.org/kidsteens/deal.html
2. Levine, Daniel R. (1996), "Drugs Are Back-Big Time," Reader's
Digest, February, 71-76.
Order
Now
|