The Level of Influence of the Drugs Accessibility Restriction Policy - Essay Example

Drugs Accessibility Restriction Policy History and Level of Influence Drugs have been in use since time in memorial.They first surfaced in the 1800’s with the introduction of opium followed by cocaine. Most of these drugs were used for medicinal purposes and included coca, morphine, heroin and cocaine. These drugs had a great potential for causing addiction. They were no longer seen as simple remedies to pains and aches. This addiction increased and became a great challenge and has continued to be so to date. An addiction to either of these drugs or other prescription drugs may be due to individual characteristics such as a tendency to take drugs even when not really necessary. The use of these drugs or their abuse may be due to influences from friends, family and the social atmosphere. We all tend to be closer to people who we think are friendly to us or who we look up to. People who tend to hang around friends or family members who use or abuse drugs end up finding themselves in the same situation. The current social environment portrays the use of drugs as something good and therefore many people are swayed into using them in order to fit in the society (Bancroft, 2009). Drug issues have been a major problem in the USA and there has been a war against drugs since 1914 when the first federal drug policy was passed, the Harrison Narcotics Act. Drug use and abuse has affected individuals, families, institutions and the community at large. The current administration has seen drug addiction as a preventable and treatable disease. For this reason, the current rules and regulations seek to use science and research in informing policy decisions. The “National Institute on Drug Abuse” aids in guiding and developing drug policies (Babor, 2010). (BODY) Drugs Accessibility Restriction Policy (HEADING) My policy seeks to reduce the number of drug abuse cases on campus by restricting accessibility to drugs. The problem presented here is that drugs are easily available to students either through prescriptions or over the counter. This has enabled quite a number of them to misuse drugs and they end up being addicts causing a lot of trouble in and outside campus. Since they live among other people, some end up being a security risk in the community since they engage in unlawful acts to fit in with their peers and to get cash for financing their addictions (Lyman, 2014). Issues surrounding this topic that are under discussion are security issues and unemployment. There has been an increased level of insecurity related to drug abuse. Most addicts are pushed into crime because of the feeling of superiority after misusing various drugs or even the need for cash since they cannot be employed and earn a descent living. At the same time they also need the cash to continue buying the drugs. Many scholars have had to drop out of school due to effects of drug abuse and therefore end up unemployed and unable to start their own business ventures. My policy will ensure that drugs are not easily available over the counter and that control measures are put over prescribed drugs (Inciardi, 2007). This problem is such an issue because a lot of money is put on improving security. If the problem of drug abuse is controlled then some of the cash can be used in other areas of development. My policy will implement change on campus by ensuring that no drugs are taken within the campus grounds without a doctor’s prescription. It will also ensure that no drugs are sold within the grounds. This implementation will need the support of staff and various government bodies in order to put in place the required machinery and man power to see this through (Miron, 2013). Target population, Structure and Implementation (HEADING) The target population here is the young people considering they are the most affected. The community policy in general is to keep drugs off street. The community being targeted is composed of many young people who face the common challenges a young person would face. Many of these young people are bright in academics but most of them have dropped out of school due to drug issues. The drop outs end up selling these drugs to those in campus and so dealing with one group alone will not be very helpful. My policy will benefit these population because once the campus students realize the effects misusing drugs and stop, the outside group will have a smaller market and in turn a reduction in crime and death in the community. The policy will be structured based on the causes of drug use and misuse, their availability, their effects if used as prescribed and also if misused and their current and long term effects. The structure will also include the parties involved in dealing with the issue, their roles, the machinery and manpower needed and the steps to be followed in implementing all these steps. There will also be alternative ways of spending time introduced in order to provide something constructive to be done during leisure time (Kleiman, Caulkins & Hawken, 2011). I will implement my policy on campus by first informing everyone of the new policy in advance through memos and notices. There will be a plan put out on how the various events will be run and the various groups involved. This will be trailed by a list of centers within and outside the campus where help can be sort for recovering addicts and the various activities they can get involved in as opposed to using and misusing drugs. I will also come up with a strategy where family and friends will be involved. Evaluation, Goal and Society (HEADING) I will assess and evaluate the changes made by having records on the number of young people who join the various programs included in the policy. There will also be a record of the crime rate before implementation of the policy and as the various programs continue. I will also take note of the hitches that might arise and ways of improving the policy in order to make the positive change intended. Family and friends will also have a platform where they can offer feedback on how their family member or friend is progressing. The ultimate goal is to lessen the number of addicts in the community and in campus. This will aid in reducing crime and deaths caused by misuse of drugs. I think my target population will not adhere to it immediately because there are those who make a lot of cash selling the drugs. It might also be grim for them to embrace the policy since it involves a long chain of people from suppliers to dealers and the final users. However, helping my target group to understand the benefits of not misusing drugs and having some incentives for recovering addicts will help them adhere to the policy with time (White, 2011). (CONCLUSION) In today’s society, parents and guardians need to take up their role of guiding their young people on moral and social issues. It is difficult for the government and various institutions trying to take up this role without the help of the most important people in young people’s lives, their family and friends. There is also the need for the various stake holders involved to ensure that access to drugs is more restricted and strict measures are put in institutions of learning. My policy will help solve the issue on campus because it will provide measures that will put the students on check and limit their access to drugs. References Bancroft, A. (2009). Drugs, Intoxication and Society. London: Polity. Babor, T. (2010). Drug Policy and the Public Good. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Inciardi, J.A. (2007). War on Drugs IV: The Continuing Saga of the Mysteries and Miseries of Intoxication, Addiction, Crime and Public Policy (4th Edition). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Kleiman, M.A, Caulkins, J. & Hawken, A. (2011). Drugs and Drug Policy: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Lyman, M.D. (2014). Drugs in Society: Causes, Concepts and Control. London: Routledge. Miron, J.A. (2013). Drug War Crimes: The Consequences of Prohibition. Colorado: Independent Institute. White, H.R. (2011). College Drinking and Drug Use (Duke Series in Child Development and Public Policy). New York: The Guilford Press. Read More