Drug abuse - Research Paper Example

PAGE DRUG ABUSE COVER PAGE Drug Abuse Health, Science and Medicine April 11, Outline THESIS: Unless we know the reasons why there are more drug users in high school students than college students, policy measures to control will not be correct. I. Understanding of the problem A . Studies proved that drug users start young. 1 .Drug Abuse in America reported 15.9 million youth users 2. The USDA confirms that youth starts to use drugs at age 15 3. Galigher, Paul that drug use is also prevalent in adults and problem of drug addiction cannot be solved. 4.This view is contradicted by Michael Kuhar who used brain imagery in research. II. Description of two authors on the most commonly used drugs l. marijuana the most popular drugs among the youth. 2. prescription medicines 3.generation fad medicines III. Dangers of drug abuse 1. Reports show the risk of drugged driving 2. Getting affected with HIV and Hepatitis C are some of the Health Risks of Unclean Needles. IV .Proofs that the number of college students who use drugs is less than high school students a. A news report that college student using drugs is on the rise but the number is less than high school student users. b .Study comparing the rise of drug use between 1993 and 2005 V. How do we know that someone is addicted? a. There are warning signs at home and school b. There are Psychological and emotional changes on the user VI. The difference on reasons of high school users and college users is a question for research a. Reasons of high school students b. Reasons of college students VII. Drug users in high school and college have different reasons for using drugs. A wider study is needed in order to adopt policy measures to solve the problem. VIII. Works cited Why are there more drug users in high school students than college students? Drug abuse has been a big problem of society for a long time. People are witnesses to its harmful effects. The debilitating effects have been announced repeatedly to the public through the internet and various media; yet, abuse of drugs is still rampant, particularly among the youth. Drug use starts at an early age particularly among high school students. Why is this so, what makes them be attracted to its use? This study will try to look for the answers to these questions from published literatures and journals. Objective of the research is to qualify the reasons so that proper policy measures could be done to avoid drug abuse. I am a high school student, and most often I am not aware that someone is starting to use drugs because it does not manifest itself on early stages. Drug abuse is defined as a compulsive, excessive, and self-damaging or habit forming drugs or substances leading to addiction or dependence, serious physical injury (such as damage to kidneys, liver, heart) and or psychological harm (such as dysfunctional behavior patterns, hallucinations, memory loss) or death ”(Business Dictionary). I always thought high school students are too young for that stuff but statistics proved me wrong because in 2001, there are 15.9 million Americans aged 12 or older who are illicit users.(Drug Abuse in America 2001). This figure represents 7.1 percent of the population aged 12 years or older. There are also more male users than female, and by race, there are more whites than black who use drugs; Asians youths have the lowest reported cases. Studies said that drug use is correlated with educational level, that there are more drug users in high school than those who are in college. “Indicators of Severity” as reported by the United States of Agriculture (USDA) studies show that children who start drug use at an early age (14 or younger) is a predictor of drug abuse and dependence.” They are more likely to develop drug problems than those who started later in life, in high school or in college. According to “Indicators…”, start of drugs use begins at the age of 15 and 18 and reaches a peak during senior stage in high school, ages 17 to 23. If one continues using drugs after college usually at age 23, means that he/she will have drug troubles. Experimentation of drugs after college suggests future problems. Galigher, Paul, cited in his book a funny situation wherein the use of drugs in Europe and Canada is declining while the same is rising in U.S. He argues that drug problems cannot be solved because it has been a part of man’s history. He cited that it is not only prevalent in the youth, but also among the adult population. He said to stress his point that ninety five percent of the U.S. adult population , “is currently using some type of psychoactive drug, including prescription drugs.” Part of the reason is that some people want to get that “natural high” that runners, athletes, fasters, and others experience. The temptation is strong because it is easy to get the drugs, and the only question is which drug to use. This view is contradicted by Michael Kuhar that suggested ways for successful treatment. He agrees with other authors saying that drug addiction destroys lives. As a NeuroScientist, Kuhar used brain imagery to explain his theory that some people are more susceptible to addiction than others; the long term changes drugs can cause, and why it is difficult for them to escape from addiction. According to Medline Plus most common drugs are Amphetamines, Anabolic Steroids, Club drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Inhalants, Marijuana, and Prescription drugs. Khan Cynthia added alcohol, caffeine and nicotine to the lists. She explains how these drugs enter into the body, how it manipulates the brain, the short and long term effects and results that could be deadly. She argued that there is little information provided about the psychological and pharmacological research being done about the drugs, and all information is about anti-drug hysteria which most of the youth do not believe. Studies show that Marijuana is the most commonly abused illegal drug in the United States. Percentage of its users is high from among the 12th grades that used it from 1975 to 2009. In 2010, 21.4% of high school students used marijuana during the past 30 days, while 19.2 percent smoked cigarettes (Info Fact).Marijuana is described as a dry, shredded mix of flowers, stems, seeds and leaves of hemp plant Cannabis sativa. It is also called Grass, Cannabis, Hash, Pot and Weed. It is commonly smoked as a cigarette. While this is considered an illegal stuff, scientific research is being done to find out it medicinal effect. Constant use of this drug leads to depression, anxiety, and personality disturbances. Abuse of marijuana can also lead to problems with memory, learning and social behavior, thus, interfering family, school, work and other activities. The percentage of young teens or those in the 12th grade who are using marijuana from 1975 to 2009 is its peak in1979 and was down in 1993. Drug use declined among 10th and 12th grades. It is possible that interventions caused the decline. However in succeeding years up to 2009, figure rose again showing a rising trend among high school students. This trend should raise our consciousness about the increase of its use particularly the youngest. Survey also revealed that marijuana now takes the lead as cigarette smoking declines from among students. (“Info facts: High School and youth trends”( March 2011). After marijuana, students past 12th grade now turn to prescription medicine. The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes this as an abuse of medication without prescription, in a way other than as prescribed for the experience of being elicited. Commonly used prescription drugs are Opoids - used to treat pains; CNS or Central Nervous system depressants –used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; and Stimulants – used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). The total number of Opoids dispensed by U.S. Retail Pharmacies as of 2012 is 210 million, while the total number of prescriptions for stimulants dispensed by U.S retail Pharmacists in 2010 is 45 million. . Use of drugs, Galeigher said, said is a generation fad. Examples of these, are crack, heroin, crystals, MMD or Ecstasy and Rophynol. Crack is a substance wherein a lot of best minds are lost due to its use. Crack is a form of cocaine. Crack cocaine got its name from the crackling noise it makes while being smoked. It is highly addictive. Because crack is smoked, the user experiences a high instantly. It is a nervous system stimulant that gives the user instant pleasure and movement. Physical effects of crack cocaine use include; constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Crack cocaine use can result in a period of full-blown paranoid psychosis, in which the user loses touch with reality and experiences auditory hallucinations. Regularly snorting cocaine, for example, can lead to loss of sense of smell, The consequences of this abuse have been steadily worsening, reflected in increased treatment admissions, emergency room visits, and overdose, and deaths. We all miss Whitney Houston who is suspected to have used cocaine before her death. Ecstasy or MDA comes next. It is used by both teens and adults. It is often called a club drug because it is used in all night parties and night clubs. It was made illegal in the US in 1966s. But emerges again in 1990s. of LSD.Increasing rise of its use is noted in homes, high school and college campuses. Research of Levinthal, Charles points to its hallogenic effects, which heighten the senses of users and make them feel inhibited. Users also claim stimulant effect that allows them to dance all night on the dance. It was first developed in Germany during the twentieth century as an appetite suppressant but is now used for other purposes. It is taken orally and sold as tablets. MMDA’s popular brands are Mitsubishi, Nike, and Mercedes. It has an average price of $20 that makes it affordable to teens. According to National Drug Intelligence Center, more than 10 per cent of high school seniors have used MMDA at least once in their life. Effects of MMD to users are confusion depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, craving for drug and paranoia. It may also cause muscle tension, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, teeth clenching, sweating, or chills. People with circulatory problems face the risk of increased blood pressure and heart rate. Abuse of this drug causes dehydration, extremely high fever, heart and kidney failure because of exerting themselves too much in hot environments; example, dancing on crowd floor. Because its effect takes longer to appear, users may take too much of the drug that will result to an overdose and death. Other drugs are heroin, crystal meth and Rophynol. All of these drugs are powerful stimulants but could cause harmful effect to users. It may even cause them death. The newest is Rophynol, which based from description is the most dangerous. Rohypnol is a strong sedative which is similar to the drug Valium, but is 10 times scored on one side and has the word "Roche" on the other side. Rohypnol dissolves easily in juice, coffee, carbonated and alcoholic beverages. It is colorless and stronger than Valium. Rohypnol is a small white tablet that is single or cross- odorless, and tasteless when dissolved in any liquid. The effects of this drug are enhanced when mixed with alcohol causing; sedation, loss of inhibitions, relaxation, blackouts and amnesia. It can also cause respiratory depression, coma and even death. The victim may or may not appear "awake" during this time. This drug is especially dangerous. The drug's amnesiac effects usually leave the victim with little or no memory of any assault. ( “Illegal drugs”. Recovery Network) A drug user faces various risks. One of these is car accidents. Driving under a “high” condition makes one vulnerable to car accidents. Perhaps drug users are numbed of the risks they take when they are under its influence. The principal alarm about drugged driving is that “drugs that act on the brain could impair one’s motor skills, reaction, time, and judgment.”( Info Facts: Drugged Driving. December 2010). The danger here is that drugged driving puts his life, the lives of the passengers and that of other people on the road to danger. Despite the danger, Info Facts reports the 2009 National Survey on drug Use and Health showing that there is an estimated 10.5 million people aged 12 or older driving under the influence of illicit drug. This same report also showed that a study in Maryland found out that 34 percent of motor crash accidents were tested to be drug positives and only 16 percent were “alcohol only”; and from this group, 50 percent were younger than 18. We all know that there is a substantial risk to health due to unclean needles. Sharing needles is the best way to spread disease. A contaminated needle can easily pass on HIV or hepatitis to the next user. In 2006, the Center for Disease Control reported 1.4 million users who had used drugs thru sharing. Out of this figure, 36 percent or 270,721 had reported AIDS cases. On hepatitis C cases, survey found out that 80 per cent of injector’s contract the virus. (“Dangers of Dirty Needles”n.d. ) Since a quarter of a million people do not know they have HIV or Hepatitis, sharing of needles easily transmit the disease to other. Commonly used drugs that are injected are heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines but these could also be taken orally, or smoked. Comparing high school users with that of college students, Leinwand, Donna, a correspondent of USA News Today (March 15, 2007) reported that nearly half of America’s 5.4 million college students abuse drugs or drink alcohol at least once a month. This news report quoted a study of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) in Columbia University that portrays substance and alcohol abuse as an increasingly urgent problems among campuses across the nation and that “situation among campuses has deteriorated”. The news further reported that “that college students have higher rates of alcohol or drug addiction than the general public: 22.9% of students meet the medical definition for alcohol or drug abuse or dependence — a compulsive use of a substance despite negative consequences – compared with 8.5% of all people, 12 or older” (Leinwand, Donna) Shown below is an illustration of the increase of drug users in campus Any illicit drug Marijuana Hallucinogens Inhalants Cocaine Heroin 1993: 30.6 1993: 27.9 1993: 6.0 1993: 3.8 1993: 2.7 1993: 0.1 2005: 36.6 2005: 33.3 2005: 5.0 2005: 1.8 2005: 5.7 2005: 0.3 Source: Info Facts: High School and Youth Trends, March 2011 Marijuana is an all time favorite of drug users from among the named drugs. Use of Marijuana also shows a marked increase in 2005. Use of other drugs like hallucinogens and inhalants decreased while there is a percentage increase of cocaine and heroin in 2005 . But how do we know that someone is addicted? Are there signs that warn us? According to a study, one could sense drug addiction when he/she loses interest on family activities, he/she begins to disrespect family rules; when/she withdraws from responsibilities, and or become physically or verbally abusive. You will also wonder, why suddenly, he/she increases appetite; or there is sudden disappearance of valuable items or money at home. You will doubt when he/she does not come home on time, or does not tell you where he is going. You should suspect when he gives constant excuses about how he behaves, like spending a lot of time in their rooms, or lying about activities. Finally, be doubtful when you find cigarette rolling papers, pipes, small glass vials, etc. A sudden drop of grades is alarming. You could also see physical and emotional signs such as Changes of friends, smell of alcohol or marijuana on breath or body, unexplainable mood swings and behavior, negative, argumentative, paranoid or confused, destructive, anxious over-reacts to criticism acts rebellious, sharing few if any of their personal problems ,doesn't seem as happy as they used to be ,overly tired or hyperactive ,drastic weight loss or gain, unhappy and depressed ,cheats, steal, always needs money, or has excessive amounts of money, and sloppiness in appearance( Witner, Denise). The difference of numbers of high school drug users and college students made me become interested to know why this is so. This paper will try to answer this question through use of research and investigative studies. Research proved that there are many reasons why teens go into drugs. Usually it starts with curiosity and the desire to belong into a social group. Also youngsters who have started to smoke cigarettes and or use alcohol are likely users for marijuana. They also use drugs when they see their parents and family members take them because teens use them as role models. Other young people take drugs because they do not get along with parents. Some have friends who use drugs and urged them to do the same. All these reasons could be rounded into the child’s environment – the neighborhood, home, family and school. Children who become heavily involved in marijuana cited psychological problems such as to deal with anxiety anger, depression, boredom, etc. (Info Facts). College students give a different reason for using drugs. A growing number of college students take drugs for academic success while others claim it is a performance enhancer. Adell, Carell, a news reporter of Today Health, (12-May 2011) wrote that prescription drugs are commonly used by college students to get high grades. Students take the drugs because it helps them “focus and pull-all nighters.” A student reasoned out that “if everybody is doing it, why shouldn’t I take advantage.” Another student said that it helps him to work non stop for ten hours. But students barely know that steroids or a drug they are using is addictive. This news report cited experience suffered by a student who became addicted to asteroids. The drugs gave the student speed when first taken, but soon enough, the student suffered unexpected mood swings, insomnia, panic attacks and depression. The drug took its toll because from being an academic scholar, the student flunked the subjects and went on school probation. The effect of the drug, according to Carell, Adell is that while it helps students to stay up, it can get on the “way of other cognitive skills.” Usually, the parents are not aware that students use prescription pills because they see only high grades and not the effect to students .Students easily get hooked on prescription drugs because it is easy to buy, or friends help them get it. Still persistent news reports affirmed this trend for college students that they get hooked on prescription drugs in order to study well and no longer for non academic uses to get “high”.(Go, Allison. December15, 2008). The survey done to 3.407 students from University of North California-Greensboro and Duke showed “Seventy percent of those who used the drug to study found it effective, despite nearly a quarter experiencing side effects like loss of appetite or difficulty sleeping. Inside Higher Ed adds, "Those who use ADHD drugs without prescriptions are more likely to be white, belonging to a fraternity or sorority, have lower grade-point averages, and engage in illegal substance use and other risky behaviors." (Go, Allison). This confirms the reason for the need to belong and be accepted to a society. Studies show that cessation of drug use starts when one reaches maturity, when he/she changes lifestyles, when he/she gets employed, and with the birth of children. From the researches reviewed, it is clear that there are more high school students who use drugs than college students. High school students start using drugs on an early age, and repeated use drives them to addiction. However, the reasons are different from the two groups. High school students cited peer pressure, family problems and environment. But college students take drugs to get good grades and for better performance. The effects to both groups are the same depending on the quantity and kind of drugs taken. Study is limited and have found no evidences why there are more white students using drugs than blacks. Authorities should be alerted by the number of accidents caused by drugged drivers because it causes death, damages, and injuries so stiffer penalties are recommended. Results of the study only show that drug abuse in as urgent problem both in high school and college campuses all over the nation. Reasons given by students need a wider study and review since some are psychological in nature. Warnings of risks are not enough for the youth who are adventurous. Works Cited Adell, Carell, “Steroids for School: College students get hooked on ‘smart drugs” Today Health.12 May 201l,” WEB. 09 April 2012 Business Dictionary. Definition and meaning of Drug Abuse. Web. 09 April 2012 “Dangers of Dirty Needles”. Opposing Views. N.d. Web. 08, 212 “Drug Abuse in America: 2001” Excerpted from the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug AbuseSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration  Almanac of Policy Issues, Sept.. 05, 2002, Web. 09 April 2012 Go, Allison. “College students illegally use ADHD, Study says”. The Paper Trail. By U.S. News Education staff. December15, 2008. Web. 09 April 20112 Gahlinger, Paul. Illegal Drugs: A Complete History, Chemistry, Use and Abuse. A Review.October 20001. Web. 10 April 2012. InfoFacts: “High School and Youth Trends.” National Youth and DRUG Abuse (NIDA) .March 2011, Web. 09 April 2012 “Illegal drugs”. Recovery Network. N.d. Web. 09 April 2012 “Indicators of Severity”. Personnel and Document Security Division, United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. Web. 09 April 2012 Khan, Cynthia. “Straight Facts from the Most Used and Abused drugs from alcohol to Ecstasy” W.W. & Norton, Inc. 1998. Kuhar, Michael. The Addicted Brain: Why We Abuse Drugs, Alcohol, and Nicotine . FT Press Science. 2011. Leinwand, Donna. “College drug use, binge drinking rise”. USA Today. March 25, 2007. Web. 09 April 2012 Levinthal. Charles F. Chapter 6, LSD and Other Hallucinogenes. Drugs, behavior, and Modern Society 5th ed. 2010. “Drug Abuse” MedLine Plus. n.d. web 11 April 2012 Read More