Drug Issues among Young Adults in Australia - Literature review Example

Drug Issues among Young Adults in Australia Name: Institution: Introduction Drug abuse and substance use among young adults in Australia has become an occasional and dependent behavior. The transitional factors associated with the growth and development stages of a young person tend to impact their social, mental and behavioral capacity. As a result, some adolescents and young adults do not cope well with these changes leading them to engage in substance use. According to statistics, in 2007 at least 26% of young adults between the age of 16 and 24 years in Australia suffered from mental disorders. Out of the 26%, 13% of this population had succumbed to substance use disorders (ABS 2008). In 2013, 21% of young people consumed alcohol as a coping mechanism during challenging times in their lives. 18% of this population was exposed to alcohol consumption related risks every other month in 2013 (AIHW 2014). Over the years, the use of illicit drugs has decreased from 37% to 29% among young people due to the professional assistance offered to users and the harm minimization strategies implemented (AIHW 2014). Substance and drug abuse are closely associated with recurring social and mental disorders which impact an individual and their community. Individuals with substance use disorders tend to be a threat to themselves as well as the society around them. Social workers offer specialized help to individuals and communities that are affected by drug use and substance associated disorders. Social workers specialize in environments whereby alcohol, tobacco and other illicit drug use has become an integral part of the community (AIHW, 2014). This essay will discuss the drug issues related to young people and the impact they have on the community. The discussion will address various strategies implemented to assist social workers in offering assistance to young people using drugs and their communities. Social workers’ understanding and knowledge on the issue of drug use among young people will be used to introduce new strategies that need to be implemented. Discussion Trends of Drug Abuse among Young People Young adults between the 16 and 24 years in Australia are introduced to the illicit drug use and consumption of alcohol at the ages of 14 and 15 years. Statistics reveal that the average age that adolescent engage in smoking of tobacco and alcohol consumption between 2001 and 2013 was 14.7 years to 15.7 years (AIHW, 2014, 14). The AIHW (2014) report reveals that at least 18% of the young population in Australia consumes alcohol every other day which is risky to their health. According to AIHW (2014), 80% of alcohol consumption by adolescents is consumed at very risky environments that lead to acute harm. Young adults aged between 15-24 years are linked to 52% of severe alcohol related accidents with 32% of this population being admitted for injuries resulting from alcohol related violence. The prevalent nature of smoking among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders youths has also increased by 2.5% which has contributed to the social and health risks faced by these communities. Moreover, cannabis has been identified as the popular choice of illicit drug among adolescents of the ages of 14 years and 18 years with at least 10.2% of this population using cannabis. Impact of Drug and Substance Use Roche et al., (2009) argue that the issues of drug use among young people has led to a decrease in birth rate, increase in infant mortality, juvenile crime as well as social disorders which disrupt the normal functioning of the society. Long term risks such as low population growth and infant mortality is associated with the prevalent drug use among young adults. The rate of alcohol consumption and illicit drug use among young people presents individuals with physical and mental related risks which place their families and communities at harm (Bridle et al. 2012). The increased issues of drug and substance abuse among young adults in Australia have contributed to an irresponsible society. Drug related risks range from a number of ways depending on the way an individual engages in them or obtains a drug. Physical and health risks will develop according to how an individual administers a drug into their body. Overdosing can lead to immediate health complications or death while sharing of syringes promotes the spread of viruses such as HIV or Hepatitis C. Behavioral issues arising from drug and substance use include engaging in criminal activities in order to obtain a drug as well as acting irresponsibly while under the influence of a drug (Ryder et al., 2006). Violent behaviors, unsafe sexual activities and driving under the influence of a drug are some of the problems that an individual and the community face. According to Moore et al., (2010), young parents with a drug abuse history tend to neglect their parenting roles. Children raised by such parents tend to engage criminal activities, live on the streets and eventually lead a miserable life. These individuals are identified as a burden to the community since they neglect their roles and duties as citizens of Australia. Implementation of Precautionary Measures Preventive strategies of the current and emerging issues of drug and substance use among the youth in Australia will steadily reduce the personal, household and community effects in the country. Campaign strategies to curb drug abuse by young adults will generate a healthy, social and economic generation in the country that is responsible and productive (Facts about Drugs, 2015). Moreover introducing strategies aimed at reducing drug abuse among young people is cost effective as opposed to implementing strategies that will treat already established problematic issues associated with substance use. Preventive measures will improve both social, economic and health outcomes of adolescents, young adults and the community. Additionally, preventive strategies will create awareness by educating the young people on the health and social dangers of substance abuse as well as develop community outcomes that support young people from engaging in drug abuse. Professional practices of social workers present them with physical and social contexts of individuals affected by substance use. The negative impacts arising from the use of substance use can be direct and indirect. Social workers closely work with people affected by their own substance use and those affected by the substance use of those around them. Research has revealed that behavioral and problematic issues of substance abuse among young people in Australia can be controlled with specialized assistance. According to Swan et al (2008), social workers can offer support through programs that motivate an individual to change. Social work professionals are equipped with holistic and ecological skills that enable them to identify what a person needs to facilitate quick recovery. Long term strategies implemented involve the individual’s family, peers and their community. According to Roche et al., (2009), social workers integrate strategies that include emerging issues established by current and previous research. Evidently, developing and incorporating evidence based methodologies social workers are able to introduce treatment programs that benefit an individual and their community. This type of approach requires intensive study of service delivery programs that will meet the specific needs of young adults in Australia. Hence, professionals in social works must be familiar with trends in substance abuse of a person and that of their surroundings. Roche et al. (2009) argue that social workers must be knowledgeable about a patient’s background in order to develop an effective treatment plan which uses current and emerging issues to develop an informed strategy. In a bid to reduce drug use among the young people in Australia, it is important to support those already involved in drug related issues to recover. According to Miller et al., (2015) recovery should integrate measures that enable an individual to receive effective support in order to make progress from dependence. Recovery from dependence and encouraging the involvement of young adults in the community may encourage adolescents and young adults to stop or reduce their drug use. Babor et al., (2011) state that this strategy is aimed at reducing the demands of drugs and the issues of substance abuse in the community. Community involvement activities can include; volunteering in social events in the community, participating in health awareness programs and community development initiatives that encourage the growth and development of young peoples’ talents. These initiatives may consist of social service and community groups which partner with government officials to increase easy accessibility to housing, education, vocational and employment programs (Miller et al., 2015). Treatment initiatives by social workers incorporate health programs that reduce drug use among young adults in Australia. Such initiatives are considered to be effective as they provide medical solutions to health and social ills of drug abuse. Drug abuse treatments are tailored to meet specific user needs that will assist one in recovering. Therefore, such initiatives assist individuals in coping with the physical and health outcomes of substance use through psychosocial preventive measures. This will also improve the issue of health inequalities faced by young adults who abuse drugs and ensure that this population has adequate access to social, health and economic amenities to enhance their health and wellbeing (Drug Info Clearing house, 2016). Conclusion Drug and substance use among young adults continues to be a prevalent issue that affects our society. The issues associated with drug and substance abuse are shaped by an individual’s social, economic and cultural practices. These factors determine the type of drug an individual is likely to engage in as well as the age at which a person gets involved with a substance use. The social contexts in our society evolve with the cultural interactions between communities making different drugs accessible to young people at school and in their neighborhoods (Scollo & Winstanley, 2012). As a result, young people neglect their duties and start engaging in substance use at an early age which makes them dependent or addicted to a drug during their growth and development into young adults. The introduction of substance use among teenagers has increased the prevalent use of drugs among the youths in Australia making it a challenge for professionals to fight drug related issues in the community. Drug related issues are wide depending on the social, economic and health impacts it has on a drug user and those around them. Future research should be developed in analyzing the measures in which a community can be equipped to assist substance users in their society in order to reduce drug addiction among young people. References Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2015). Causes of death, Australia, 2013. ABS cat. no. 3303.0. Canberra: ABS. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2008). National survey of mental health and wellbeing: summary of results, 2007. ABS cat. no. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2014). National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013 supplementary tables: tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs. Canberra: AIHW. Retrieved From: . Babor, T. F., Higgins-Biddle, J. C., Saunders, J. B., & Monteiro, M. G. (2011). Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care (2nd ed.). Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, World Health Organization. Retrieved from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/67205/1/WHO_MSD_MSB_01.6a.pdf Bridle, R., Goggin, L., & Christou, A., (2012). Alcohol Trends in Western Australia: ASSAD Survey 2011. Brief communication no.6. Perth: Drug and Alcohol Office. Retrieved From: http://alcoholthinkagain.com.au/Portals/0/documents/publications/Resources%20for%20 Health%20Professionals/2011-Assad-Alcohol-Bulletin.pdf Drug Info Clearinghouse (2016). Making AOD treatment accessible for culturally and linguistically diverse Clients. Retrieved from: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/images/making-treatment-services-CLD-29jun16.pdf Facts about Drugs (2015). Western Australia Drug and Alcohol Office, Mount Lawley, Perth. Retrieved from: http://www.dao.health.wa.gov.au/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?C omand=CoreDownload&EntryId=351&PortalId=0&TabId=211 Miller, P., Curtis, A., Chikritzhs, T. & Toumbourou, J. (2015). Interventions for reducing alcohol supply, alcohol demand and alcohol-related harm. National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund, Monograph Series No. 57. Retrieved from: http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/sites/default/files/publicationdocuments/monographs/monograp h- 57.pdf Moore, T., Noble-Carr, D., & McArthur, M. (2010). Who cares? Young people with parents who use alcohol or other drugs talk about their experiences with services. Family Matters. Vol. 85, 18-27 Retrieved from: https://aifs.gov.au/publications/family-matters/issue-85/who-cares Roche, A. M., Bywood, P., Freeman T., Pidd, K., Borlagdan, J., Trifonoff, A. (2009). The Social Context of Alcohol Use in Australia. Adelaide: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction. Retrieved from: http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/6412/5548/2957/EN400.pdf Ryder, D., Walker, N. & Salmon, A. (2006). Drug use and drug-related harm: A delicate balance (2nd ed.). East Hawthorn, Victoria: IP Communications. SANE Australia. 2012. Smoking and mental illness. SANE Factsheet No. 16. https://www.sane.org/information/factsheets-podcasts/210-smoking-and-mental-illness Scollo, M. M. & Winstanley, M. H. (2012). Tobacco in Australia: Facts and issues. 4th ed. Melbourne: Cancer Council Victoria. Retrieved from: www.TobaccoInAustralia.org.au Swan, A., Sciacchitano, L., & Berends, L. (2008). Alcohol and other drug brief interventions in primary care. Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre. Retrieved from: http://www.turningpoint.org.au/Media-Centre/Latest_News/Alcohol-and-Other-Drug- Brief- Interventions-in-Primary.aspx . Read More