Awareness and Attitudes towards Alcohol and Drug Abuse - Case Study Example

Running Head: Drug Attitudes Drug Attitudes Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Name Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Course Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lecture Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date Introduction The Narara River basin region of the Central coast, New South Wales is among the places with the highest rate of alcoholism and substance abuse in Australia. According to Degenhardt et al (2005a) in the areas outlying Sydney youths are often found sitting outside in groups drinking . People from other people of New South Wales are also afraid to visit Gosford and other outlying areas including Narara where violent crime is common (Degenhardt et al, 2005a). This research seeks to investigate the awareness and attitudes towards alcohol and drug abuse in the Narara river basin that lead to these high level of substance abuse prevalence. The ultimate success of initiatives and policies to curb alcohol and substance abuse are dependent on public awareness towards issues of drug use. Policy makers have to get the support and belief of the public in order for drug abuse to be curbed. Backing for drug prevention is dependent on the accuracy of information provided to the public on drug use and their attitudes towards drug abusers (Stafford et al, 2006). Positive societal attitudes are a precursor for the integration of drug-dependent individual back into mainstream society (Stockley, 2001). Having invalid assumptions to base drug policies on may lead to negative outcomes in curbing the prevalence of substance abuse. Previous studies into public awareness and attitudes on substance abuse in New South Wales investigation show prejudice towards drug users. Most people who engage in substance abuse in NSW are discriminated and thus their reintegration into mainstream society is harder. On the other hand where society attitudes towards drugs are stricter the numbers of people who engage in substance abuse are lesser (Degenhardt et al, 2011). In societies with a greater understanding of the risks of drug addiction people are less likely to engage in substance abuse. There is a need to study drug-related knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in the central coast in order to establish a starting point to tackle the prevalent drug problem in the region. The aims of this literature review based on this rationale and need are: Establish the levels of awareness of alcohol and other substances in the Central Coast region and also establish the level of awareness that use of substances produces negative health and social outcomes. Secondly, this review seeks to establish the level of concern by the society about the substance use problem in the Narara river basin, New South Wales and Australia as a whole. Thirdly, the review seeks to establish the communal attitudes towards drug-addicted and drug users and the levels of support they can get for treatment for these individuals (Degenhardt et al, 2005a). Finally, the study seeks to establish the current levels of support for initiatives such as harm reduction, drug control, drug prevention,(de) criminalization of illegal substances among the communities. The Nature and Extent of the substance use problem in Narara river basin The true prevalence of substance use in the Narara river basin region is hard to establish. It is however possible to take measures of drug use through drug-related crime or drug-related hospitalizations. Use of illegal substances in NSW and the central coast region is mostly confined to socially and economically disadvantaged areas. In NSW, majority of individual people who are currently unemployed or are on the New Start job seekers allowance have a drug-addiction problem (Phillips, Burns and A.D.T.S , 2012). Heroin is among the most heavily abused illicit drug in the Narara river basin. According to Topp, Barker and Degenhardt (2004), 70 per cent of individuals engaged in Intravenous drug use prefer Heroin. 28 per cent of respondents who inject drugs intravenously confess to injecting heroin on a daily basis. Heroin abuse prevalence remained steady despite a decrease in price from $345 per gram in 2010 to $300 per gram in 2011 (Day et al, 2003). However, Heroin prices remained higher than those reported before the 2001 heroine shortage (Day et al, 2003). The availability of the drug remained high, and respondents claim it is very easy to obtain heroine. However, daily use of Methamphetamine remained low with only 3 per cent of respondents reporting they use the drug daily. The price of methamphetamine for a point (o.1mg) remained at $50. The accessibility of the drug also ranged from very easy to easy (Degenhardt et al, 2006). Cocaine In 2011, 47 per of NSW drug users abused the drug cocaine, this was 10 per cent decrease in the drug usage levels from the 2011 statistics (Phillips, Burns and A.D.T.S , 2012). Most of the users of Cocaine reported using it on a fortnightly basis (Degenhardt et al, 2005a).The usage of crack cocaine in NSW was almost non-existent as nobody reported encountering crack cocaine. Cocaine accessibility was found to be easy or very easy; a cap of Cocaine remained stable ranging between $300 and $50 (Phillips, Burns and A.D.T.S , 2012). Cannabis 81 per cent of drug users in NSW reported having used Cannabis in 2011. Most users of Cannabis used it on a daily basis a situation that has remained prevalent for nine years (7). A gram of Hydroponic cannabis retailed at $30, an was easily available on the streets like other substance abused in NSW (Dunn and Degenhardt, 2008). The potency of the more readily available Hydroponic cannabis was reported as high in comparison with bush which was reported as medium (Phillips, Burns and A.D.T.S , 2012). Apart from this illegal drugs, prescription drugs such as pain prescription relief (i.e. morphine and oxycodone), and opiod substitution treatment (OST; i.e. methadone, buprenorphine, buprenorphine-naloxone) are widely abused in the Central coast region (Lea, Reynolds and De Wit, 2011). Non-prescribed methadone 23 per cent of individuals using drugs reported to have used Methadone syrup despite not having a prescription for the drug (Phillips, Burns and A.D.T.S , 2012). Methadone use was very infrequent and most used it on a monthly basis (Measham et al, 2011). Methadone is both easy to obtain and is among the cheapest substance abused with an Ml only costing 50 cents (Duff, 2003). Morphine Since 2001, the prevalence of Morphine abuse has been increasing a trend that changed in 2011, with the percentage of user dropping to 28 per cent down from 35 per cent in 2005 (Degenhardt et al, 2006). 100mg of MS Contin morphine brand continued to sold at $10 meaning each pill cost $40 (Phillips, Burns and A. D. T. S, 2012). As with the other drugs discussed above Morphine is easy or relatively easy to obtain for those who would like to abuse the drug. Oxycodone 36 per cent of intravenous drug injecting addicts in 2011 reported using Oxycodone. Oxycodone use was uncommon with those using it reporting to using the drug daily (Phillips, Burns and A.D.T.S , 2012). Oxycodone was bought mostly in 80mg Oxycotin tablets retailing at $35 each (Hollingworth et al, 2011). It was also very easy or relatively easy to obtain Oxycodone illicitly. Alcohol and tobacco In 2011, 58 per cent of drug users had abused alcohol. Alcohol use among most respondents was on a once per week basis (Degenhardt, Copeland and Dillon, 2005). 11 per cent of respondents reported they consumed alcohol on a daily basis. On the other hand, almost every person who is a drug addict reported to have abused alcohol in the past 12 months. Degenhardt, Copeland and Dillon (2005) claim that smoking prevalence has decreased in the general population, but among drug-addicts the levels of smoking prevalence had risen over time. Attitudes towards Alcohol in NSW The 80 per cent of the adult population believe that NSW have an alcohol abuse problem or drink excessively, while 76 per cent that the alcohol problem is getting worse and alcohol related problems will increase in the future (Phillips, Burns and A.D.T.S , 2012). 77 per cent of NSW residents accused concerned parties including the government, pubs and clubs and alcohol companies of doing little to address alcohol-related illness, death, injury and related issues (Shand et al, 2003). According to Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (2012), the residents of NSW are concerned with alcohol related issues such as violence (75%), road traffic accidents (80%) and child abuse and neglect. According to the residents of NSW most industries involved in the alcohol business to reduce the potential harmful consequences of consuming alcohol. The alcohol problem in NSW is a bad as people think with about 81 per cent of the NSW population reported to take alcohol. Approximately 1.2 million NSW residents consume alcohol at least three times a week On the other hand, consumption per occasion is also worrying. About 52% of NSW adults consume two standard drinks on typical occasion (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, 2012). A further, 45% drink more than two standard drinks on a typical evening. 3% per cent of NSW alcohol consumers do not know with certainty the number of standard drinks they consume per occasion (14). 563, 000 NSW adults drink excessively consuming over 6 drinks on a typical occasion. 37 per cent of NSW drinkers report that they take alcohol to get drunk, with at least 12 per cent saying they aim to get drunk twice a week (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, 2012). Those who took alcohol to get drunk reported slurred speech, and a feeling of relaxation as indicators that they were drunk. Other sign of being drunk included exceeding the blood alcohol limit for driving, passing out and vomiting. For 16 per cent of NSW drinkers concern by close friends and relatives about their drinking had been expressed (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, 2012). Family members were the most concerned about the drinking habits of individuals with 73 per cent concerned that their kinsmen was consuming too much alcohol (Stockley, 2001). Friends also showed concern with 24 per cent questioning their friends about their drinking problems Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (2012). A rising concern in the alcohol abuse prevention is the rise of alcoholic energy drinks. These drinks are fashioned as energy only drinks with little regard to their alcohol contents. About 17 per cent of NSW drinkers purchased an alcoholic energy drink. Taste is the greatest consideration for NSW drinkers while purchasing their favourite brand of beer, 71% per cent reported that their alcohol purchasing decision was greatly influenced by the taste of the drink (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, 2012). While 60% per cent reported they were aware of the Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol (Darke and Duflou, 2008). However, only 12 per cent are aware of what the guidelines entail. Only 34 per cent of New South Wales drinkers know the number of standard drinks they should take on a typical occasion to minimize the possibility of an alcohol related illness. Over 14 per cent thought it took more drinks than they consumed per occasion for long-term alcohol related harm to occur. Similarly, awareness on how short-time alcohol related harm was also low Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (2012). 33 per cent of NSW drinkers cannot correctly estimate the number of standard drinks per session that can minimize short-term alcohol related harm. Only 5% per cent identified 4 standard drinks as the correct number of drinks to ensure short-term harm does not occur. 34 per cent of NSW drinkers do not have an idea how many standard drinks they should consume on a typical occasion to avoid short term harm (Berry et al, 2007). The prevalence of Alcohol-related violence in NSW is worrying. Over 1.7 million residents of NSW have been affected by Alcohol related violence. 713,000 of these adults are victims of alcohol related violence, while 1.16 million NSW residents have had a person affected by alcohol related violence (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (2012). This great number of victims of alcohol-related violence clearly show how big alcohol-related violence problems are in the Narara river Basin area and the greater NSW (Collins and Lapsley, 2008).. Recently, the NSW government has held liquor licences for several retailers pending review that they were opening stores in areas with high prevalence of alcohol abuse (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, 2012). 57 per cent of NSW residents believe that the number of liquor outlets in their neighbourhood is just right. 29 per cent believe they are too many outlets in their neighbourhood. Only 4 per cent expressed concern there were too few outlets in their neighbourhood. According to Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (2012) the attitudes on alcohol and substance abuse in NSW are not unlike those of the whole Australian population. 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