Analysis of the Addiction within New York City - Essay Example

Addiction within New York City Abstract This paper gives an overview of addiction in New York City (NYC). Among several types of addictions, those commonest in the city are addiction to gambling, alcohol, drugs and narcotics. The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse stated in September 2008, that 2.5 million New Yorkers were dealing with drug, alcohol or gambling addiction (Henk, 2008, para. 3). Out of a total adult population of 1.8 million adults who reported using illicit drugs in year 2009, 1.3 million were white (NYCLU, n.d., para. 8). There are numerous hospitals, rehabilitation centers, retreat centers, assistance cells and mobile networks in NYC to help addicts and those affected by them, cope with addiction. Appropriate medical treatment of addicts is just one of the several methods of fighting addiction; other methods include educating the population about it, legal action against wrongdoers, prevention of causes which lead to addiction, assistance to the susceptible and vulnerable populace and providing timely help to those who are in need of guidance form health-care professionals. Addiction within New York City Behavior patterns of human beings are unique to their individual person as these are influenced not only by their own psychology, but also by the external environment in which they live. The compulsion to repeat a certain behavior without keeping the consequences in mind is known as addiction (Wikipedia, 2010). Commonly, addictions may range from a repeated and uncontrolled urge for gambling, pilfering, sex, consuming caffeine or alcohol, to consuming drugs and narcotics. Frequent overeating can also be considered an addiction. Severe addictions, if left untreated, can result in debilitation and death of those inflicted with the condition. Those who suffer from addiction can find their personal and/or professional lives impacted as a result. While addiction(s) may vary from city to city and culture to culture, the unifying link would be the similarity in experiencing pain and suffering by all involved as a result of the control wielded by the addiction(s). Each of the states within the United States find themselves confronting the issue of addiction within their own general populous. An example would be a study of addiction within New York City (NYC), which is the most populous city in the United States with a population of 8.36 million in 2005 (NYC 2010 Census, 2010). With reference to the residents of NYC who fall prey to the disease of addiction, the issue was addressed by Socheatta Meng, member of legislative counsel of New York City Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU). In the article titled ‘The State of Drug Policy and Addiction in New York City, and Reform of the Rockefeller Laws’, Meng addressed the group of individuals whom, according to statistical data, would be the most susceptible to the overall problem being addressed. As she asserted, “In a relatively recent government study, a total of 1.8 million adults in New York (about 13 percent of the total adult population) reported using illegal drugs in the preceding year. Of those reported users of illicit drugs, 1.3 million (72 percent) were white” (NYCLU, n.d., para. 8). The most common addictions within the city of New York were brought to light by the statement issued by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, or OASAS. According to the organization leader Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo, “In September, we want to support New York's Recovery Movement, reduce stigma and offer the hope of treatment to the 2.5 million New Yorkers who are dealing with drug, alcohol or gambling addiction,” (Henk, 2008, para. 3). From the information gathered in conjunction with the statement from the NY State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, a staggering number of New Yorkers find themselves in the position of being inflicted with the addiction either to drugs, alcohol, gambling or more than one of them. Addiction-treatment centers such as “New York Drug Rehabilitation Programs and Drug Addiction Centers” (Recoveryconnection, n.d.) provide assistance about addiction of various types and help addicts recover by providing them a safe heaven for treatment. A social-educational alternative to conventional drug rehabilitation and alcohol abuse is a retreat such as “The Saint Jude Retreats” (Soberforever, n.d.). There are hospitals, communities, support networks, mobile assistance and websites providing instant assistance and information to help the afflicted (Stocker & Aviles, 2001; Healthyplace, n.d.). Several approaches are taken to aid those who suffer from addiction. An imperative debate occurs to ascertain the best possible approach toward treatment of addicts. Different options are considered and the best among them is implemented, so that it may benefit not only the addict but also the general populace. Many within the debate insist that those suffering from such addictions take part in illegal activities and deserve a prison sentence. While some argue for a jail term, others look toward the consideration of treatment, and also the observance of the potential prevention of the problem at the outset. The greater issue is therefore providing the necessary assistance to anyone suffering from the symptoms of addiction, helping them recover and thereby giving them the chance to become productive citizens of their community. Regarding OASAS and their approach to handling addiction, “OASAS emphasizes a back-to-basic strategy of prevention, treatment and recovery and is focused on strengthening the network of recovery services in New York,” (Henk, 2008, para. 9). In the year 2007, there was a gathering of interested parties to discuss the continuation and maintenance of the best possible approach toward addiction recovery. Referring to services available, “OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services programs, with 1,550 prevention and treatment providers which serve 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day,” (Henk, 2008, para. 10). Discussion At the core of the issue of discussing gambling, drug and alcohol addiction in NYC is the issue of aiding those who are most influenced by the condition, that is, those who may find themselves and/or those around them, directly and/or indirectly impacted by the effects of the disease. The unifying similarity between those suffering from addiction is their experience with the debilitating aftereffects of the condition. From the example given by the New York OASAS, it is inferred that the main effort of their workers was not only the desired prevention of such conditions in the first place, but also aiding those who fall within the constraints of the condition and those who would find the aid necessary for treatment to be initiated. The ideal approach taken to combat addiction should be to spread awareness about it, prevent the populace from taking to it, provide assistance to addicts so that they can recover, and aid those who are at risk with an approach that will lead them away from previously held susceptible behavior patterns. References Healthyplace. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2010 from http://www.healthyplace.com/ Henk, Dianne. (2008). New York Honors Addiction Recovery Month: Stories Of Recovery Highlight State Events. New York State Office Of Alcoholism And Substance Abuse Services. Retrieved April 29, 2010 from http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/pio/press/PR-9-3-08Recovery.cfm NYC 2010 Census. (2010). Retrieved May 14, 2010 from http://www.nyc.gov/html/census2010/ NYCLU. (n.d.). The State of Drug Policy and Addiction in New York City, And Reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws. New York Civil Liberties Union. Retrieved April 29, 2010 from http://www.nyclu.org/content/state-of-drug-policy- and-addiction-new-york-city-and-reform-of-rockefeller-drug-laws/ Recoveryconnection. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2010 from http://www.recoveryconnection.org/ Soberforever. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2010 from http://www.soberforever.net/ Stocker, M. A., & Aviles, A. D. (2010). New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. Retrieved on May 15, 2010 from http://www.nyc.gov/html/home/home.shtml Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction Read More