Drug Abuse: Problems in the UK - Coursework Example

Drug Abuse: Problems in the UK [SID Number] [Drug Abuse: Problems in the UK] Drug Abuse: Problems in the UK Introduction Emmett & Nice (2006) mentioned “an estimated five million regular users of illegal substances in the UK.” (p.11) Another estimate by the British Crime Survey states the number of regular drug users in the UK as four million. (Burke & Parker, 2006) Although the individual prices of drugs have fallen, the aggregate money spent in the UK on drugs is estimated to be ₤8 billion per year. (Emmett & Nice, 2006)This clearly shows that drug abuse is a significant problem in the British society and steps need to be taken to tackle this issue. In general, drugs are categorized as a substance consumed by an individual that revises the course of his thinking, feeling or behaviour. (Pathways to Problems, 2006) Any of the drugs which are used for a purpose other than what they are intended for are hazardous for health and are also a major concern for the government. (Pathways to Problems, 2006) The size of the UK market pertaining to illicit drugs goes as high as 5 million pounds a year. (Reuter & Stevens, 2007) However, the most alarming factor is not the basic level of drug intake, but of its abuse and addiction or dependence. UK is amongst those European countries that have the highest levels of dependant and recreational drug use. (Reuter & Stevens, 2007) The UK stands at the second highest rank for the number of drug-related deaths in Europe, with every 34th death per million caused by drug abuse, for people aged 16 and over. (Reuter & Stevens, 2007) On the other hand, “the annual socio-economic cost of drug-related crime in England and Wales has been estimated at over £13 billion.” (Reuter & Stevens, 2007, p.1) Causes of Drug Abuse Despite knowing the harms and consequences of drugs, there is an enormous trend in the emergence of new drug users. The main reason for going for the use of drugs is chiefly the perception that it soothes the mind of worries and, for a short period, relaxes the person and diminishes any negative feelings. (Pathways to Problems, 2006) A 2003 report prepared by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) revealed that “marijuana was by far the most likely illicit drug to be taken by the British. About 25 percent of the population has reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetime, 9 percent reported use in the preceding year and 5 percent used it in the previous month.” (Selvanathan, Saroja & Selvanathan, 2005, p.119) In the past twenty years, there has been a significant increase in the number of young drug abusers. (Barry, 2005) This is a point of concern for the whole nation. To note the trend of drug use in the younger generation, pupils aged between 11 and 15 years were questioned under the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD). (Pathways to Problems, 2006) After recognising the damage caused by smoking, a large percentage of the pupils considered it not to have any serious outcomes. The very survey conducted among adults showed a more serious inclination, giving the reason for smoking as to boost their energy levels, to overcome occupational and domestic stress, or to relieve themselves of boredom and depression. (Pathways to Problems, 2006) Other reasons for beginning drug abuse are the lack of proper parental guidance at domestic level as well as guidance from educational institutes. Living in under developed areas where the desire to achieve more is suppressed is a major factor for depression resulting in the misuse of drugs or criminal activities. (Beckett, Heap, McArdle, Gilvarry, Christian, Bloor, Crome, Frischer, 2004) Peter Alan, who works in close association with drug addicts at Phoenix House in Glasgow relates to drug misuse as a direct result of boredom and availability of drugs. (Drug Courts, 2001) Students of all ages who find it hard to create a balance between the academic workload and their daily routines opt for the use of drugs to boost their mental capabilities and also to aid them in their physical activities. (Ways to make you …, 2007) The British Medical Association (BMA) confirms the fact that the number of healthy individuals who are taking drugs to further their abilities is constantly growing. The low cost as well the ease in attaining these drugs is one of the key reasons for the prevailing trend. (Ways to make you …, 2007) A substantial first step towards serious addiction to drugs is their initial use for the sake of trying out. Through tests conducted by ESPAD, youngsters all over England showed an enthusiasm to try out alcohol, cigarette or other less harmful drugs for the first time. For a minority among them, their trial session resulted in a series of unsafe drug-related life. (Pathways to Problems, 2006) Problems and Solutions According to a report by the Audit Commission, half of all the crimes carried out in Wales and England are a result of taking drugs. (Tackling drug-related crime, 2002) According to Deputy Justice Minister Iain Gray, “It is very clear that there is a close connection between drug misuse and much of the crime in Scotland.” (Drug Courts, 2001, n.p.) Drug users are estimated to raise half a billion pound every year in order to fund their addictions. The need for drugs is so great in most of the addicted individuals that they resolve to criminal activities over and over again, destroying themselves as well as the community around them at the same time. (Tackling drug-related crime, 2002) According to an estimate, drug abuse costs the nation somewhere around ₤8-10 billion per annum (taking in account socio-economic costs). (Manning, 2007) In a book published in 2003, In a research (Beckett et. al, 2004), “twenty seven per cent of respondents reported that they had committed theft prior to commencing drug use.” (p.41) In a recent arrest in Glasgow, 70% of the questioned people were found to be drug users. The arrested people, however, do not stop taking drugs while confined in prison, as getting hold of illegal substance inside there is not a problem, according to Peter Alan, who is of the opinion that “most people will not remain drug-free in prison.” (Drug Courts, 2001, n.p.) Iain Gray puts forward the suggestion that most of these kinds of offences are carried out by addicts to support their dependence on drugs and this is something that can be modified. Targeting to take control of the drug habits of people results in lesser crimes and ultimately benefits the whole society. (Drug Courts, 2001) “Among problem drug users, of whom only a minority are still in their teens, imprisonment is common and over 50% of injecting drug users have been in prison at some time.” (Graham, 2004, p.165) It is estimated by a Home Office research that every single pound spent on treating drug users will in turn save the government 3 pounds in the overall expenditure of dealing with the outcomes of drug-related crimes. (Tackling drug-related crime, 2002) In the year 2005, the importance of designing ways to reduce drug-related crimes was highlighted in a conference hosted by the Home Office and the Central Saint Martin’s College Design Against Crime (DAC) Research Centre in London. Speakers attending the conference discussed the various problems associated with the abuse of drugs and some possible solutions that can be undertaken. Roger King, who is the Crime and Drugs Division Director at the Home Office, considered the designing of solutions to be a major part of the government’s policy to reduce crime by 20% in the proceeding 3-year period. (Designing out drug-related …, 2005) The UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC) is actively trying to control the drug offences in a number of well-planned and effective methods. The Commission aims at successfully identifying those truly deserving to be arrested in drug -related crimes and providing appropriate punishments to such offenders. They convince such individuals to attend drug rehabilitation centres and surprisingly, the results are very pleasing. (Research Specification, n.d.) According to King, the government should aim at dealing with the drug users by first clearing them of their addictions and, more importantly, keeping them off it. The desired effects can only be made possible by total support from local authorities as well as funding through businesses and investors. (Designing out drug-related …, 2005) Dealing with the consequences of drug use is harmful for workplaces and businesses, due to which companies and firms should make alliance with the government to eradicate this social problem. Any individual misusing drugs not only harms himself but also the people and environment around him. This fact is of a serious concern inside workplaces and among co-workers as well. Mike Smith, the Security and Shrinkage Manager at Tesco GB Retail, says that the cost of prevention of crime, including the cost of police and court involvement, goes as high as about 3 billion pounds in a year, two-third portion of which is related to drug abuse. (Designing out drug-related …, 2005) Companies suffer impairment in their productivity as a result of poor performance by their drug-addicted employees. Moreover, the capital and time consumed for recruiting or training new staff members is very large, if employees are replaced due to harmful drug habits. A company can greatly suffer from its employees as its reputation depends on the trust put forward by customers, which can only be achieved through steadfast business dealings. The incompetence of government’s anti-drugs policies can be deduced by the shocking decrease in the price of heroin in the streets of Britain. With the cost as little as two pounds, potential drug addicts are finding it much easier to get a taste of the drug, consequently increasing the number of overall addicts in the country. (Townsend, Asthana & Campbell, 2006) At the same time, heroin addicts realise the impact of the drug on their lives and dream of a different existence where they could be less isolated from the society, leading a normal life. (Townsend et. al, 2006) “The drug problem steadily worsened over the last quarter of the twentieth century: the number of dependent heroin users increased from around 5,000 in 1975 to a current estimated 281,000 in England and over 50,000 in Scotland. Since the turn of the millennium, drug trends have shown signs of stabilisation, albeit at historically high levels.” (Reuter & Stevens, 2007, p.1) The European society is facing problems in maintaining the unity in their family system. While this is one of the main reasons that triggers teenagers to rely on drugs in the first place, it further exacerbates the family unit by large. When one member of the family is using drugs, its effects also reach those that reside under the same roof. Upon the realisation that one or more of their children are involved in drugs, parents are bewildered and consider the event to be life-altering forever. (Barnard, 2005) The situation is worsened because “young people in the UK have little difficulty in obtaining tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, despite a legal framework designed to restrict their access to them.” (Pathway to Problems, 2006, p.8) In a research carried out by Dr. Marina Barnard of the Centre for Drug Misuse Centre, Glasgow University, families in which one or more members were using drugs were questioned. It was found out that most parents, after their realisation, focus their attention on the drug-abusing child instead of contemplating over the harms it might cause to the rest of their children or the whole family. (Barnard, 2005) Stress and anxiety upon the parents lead to the disintegration of the family’s harmonious lifestyle, which also affects the long-term goals of parental upbringing. The point that elder siblings are role models for their younger ones is common knowledge. According to the research carried out in Glasgow, this statement is proven to be true as younger siblings were noted to take up drugs only due to the fact that their elders had done the same. (Barnard, 2005) Exposure to drugs leads to acute curiosity among siblings, who are then encouraged by other favourable conditions like peer influence. Eventually, they end up getting involved in the same activities, adding up to the family’s problems. Families having access to local family support groups found it relaxing to be in the company of others going through the same problems. (Barnard, 2005) These support groups, however, are most effective when approached at an early stage of discovery of the drug problem, so as to tackle it before it reaches an incurable stage, as well as to provide a venting place for the stressed-out parents. The vulnerability of other siblings to adopt drug habits can also be brought to light and put under scrutiny through the combined supportive work of the local groups. For pregnant mothers, drug use leads to major health issues for the foetus, exposing it to numerous incurable diseases. The effect of cocaine, alcohol, heroin and opiates can lead to difficulty in foetal growth. Mothers who take drugs through injections put their babies into danger of acquiring virus leading to hepatitis or HIV, complicating the lives of both the mother and the baby. (Government Response to …, 2005) To lead a safe and healthy life is the right of every new born. A research (Government Response to …, 2005) carried out by the Home Office estimated a total of two to three hundred thousand children (2-3% of children under the age of 16) in the UK with both or one of the parents seriously involved in drugs. As a result of parents’ drug-use problem, children are constantly exposed to different hazardous substances. Other problems children face are neglect, physical or mental abuse, deteriorating social life and even an urge to be involved in criminal activities. (Government Response to …, 2005) “There are approximately 100,000 children with a drug-using mother in the UK.” (Nutt, Robbins & Stimson, 2006, p.372) Situations where parents are drug addicts are very severe and bringing them under research studies is a hard task. Routine medical examinations of drug taking mothers at antenatal clinics, however, can be carried out to form a pattern in the problems that emerge as a result of drug abuse. For the safety of elder children, studies should be carried out to determine whether it is of the betterment for the child to live with or without the drug-addicted parent. Moreover, such children should be encouraged to speak out their problems and feelings about their parent’s problems by creating for them a platform of children in similar circumstances so that they all can relate to each other. (Government Response to …, 2005) Keeping these problems in mind, the government is taking actions in the right course. A project run by the Children’s Society named STARS aims to give every child the facilities that they deserve, as well as a forum where they can get their voices heard and gain access to advice and support from the government. (Government Response to …, 2005) The Home Office has also developed a project by the name of National Drugs Strategy to spread awareness among young children against drug use. (Government Response to …, 2005) One of the biggest problems the UK government now faces is the significant increase in the number of young children who are moving towards drug use. A survey was carried out in 67 British Secondary Schools, questioning more than 20,000 children who admitted to their involvement with drugs in the last one year. (Burke, 2001)Contradictory to the government’s claim of a fall in juvenile drugs, Jeremy Gluck, at the Adolescent Assessment Services that carried out the survey revealed that “drug use is much more extensive than we thought.” (Burke, 2001, n.p.) The results were not of much difference among the girls. A majority of them claimed to have been taking some type of drug every week. The figure of drug usage involving both the genders shoots high as the age factor increases to about 16 years. The survey also confirmed an increase in the alcohol consuming habit amongst teenagers to be at an increase. The more alarming trend found out, however, was that the habit of using alcohol or smoking later became a reason for further drug use, according to Gluck. (Burke, 2001) It is obvious that the traditional methods adopted by the schools in which lectures are given to senior students by police officers, former drug users, etc. are not working effectively. Even though an estimated 50% primary schools in Britain have a policy to overcome drug-related problems, the ability of public schools to cope with drug addicted students is faltering. According to officials, the audience of lectures conducted in schools should not be teenagers who have defined their habits; instead the target should be younger children, possibly from primary schools. (Burke, 2001) The UK government has set up an independent and objective ground for analysing the different drug policies and also to study the effectiveness of policies that previously exist. Under this, the UKDPC carries out desired projects in collaboration with other research bodies from varied schools and universities to review the situation of the drug market and trafficking arenas. By productively analysing the information about the response in changes made in the drug market, the government aims at altering the supply and demand trends of drug trafficking in accordance to desirable policies. (Press Release, 2007) Perhaps, the nation-wide increase in drug trafficking would have lessened, were the authorities in charge showed a more serious and positive interest in eradicating it from the system. Recently, the Metropolitan Police was charged of supporting, without permission, a multi-million pounds operation involving illegal drugs. (UK authorities drug-trafficking …, 2003) To deal with the issue of drug abuse, the UK government has set up an independent and objective ground for analysing the different drug policies and also to study the effectiveness of policies that previously exist. Under this, the UKDPC carries out desired projects in collaboration with other research bodies from varied schools and universities to review the situation of the drug market and trafficking arenas. By productively analysing the information about the response in changes made in the drug market, the government aims at altering the supply and demand trends of drug trafficking in accordance to desirable policies. (Press Release, 2007) “National drug control policy in the UK, in the US and in most countries throughout the world, is heavily committed to a model of prohibition backed by punishment.” (Gossop, 2007, p.160) Still, drug-trafficking is prevalent in many areas of the world including Central and South America, Europe, and Asia. (Roman, Ahn-Redding & Simon, 2007) It is necessary to stop drugs that come into the UK from other nations, and in this regard, the relevant British Intelligence agencies should remain in close contact with the relevant agencies of drug-exporting nations. “In October 1999, U.K. customs made three arrests and seized 7 Kg of heroin entering Britain”, which was made possible by using information given by Indian authorities. (Roman et. al, 2007, p.183) Such measures can prove very effective because through these steps, the government can stop the import of drugs into the UK, which would eventually decrease the circulation of drugs inside the country. Conclusion With an increase in the drug use among the citizens of England, there is also an increase in the government’s mission to control it. Numerous support groups, both of the local and national scale are made available to drug dependants to help them resolve their problems and lead a normal life. Such steps should be encouraged and the government should take particular interest in drug-related researchers. The complete eradication of drug usage from any nation may prove to be a near-impossible task, but the level of drug abuse can be brought down to a lower rate by a combined effort of both the government and the public. Bibliography Barnard, Dr Marina (2005, April) Drugs in the family: the impact on parents and sibling. Joseph Rowntree Foundation [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 15 November 2007]. Barry, Monica (2005) Youth Policy and Social Inclusion: Critical Debates with Young People. Routledge. Beckett, Helen; Heap, Jeremy; McArdle, Paul; Gilvarry, Eilish; Christian, Jane; Bloor, Roger; Crome, Ilana; Frischer, Martin (2004) Understanding problem drug use among young people accessing drug services: a multivariate approach using statistical modelling techniques. Research Development and Statistics Directorate, Home Office [Internet]. 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