Legalization of Marijuana - Term Paper Example

? Legalization of Marijuana Legalization of Marijuana This paper aims to discuss the developing fashion of drug addiction among youth and adults, which has spread in every corner of the world. This paper reflects upon the fact that there are countless harmful effects of marijuana and other illicit drugs, which badly influence health, domestic, and social lives of addict members. Also, reasons are presented in this paper to promote illegalization of marijuana in the light of opinions of health scholars and intellectuals. Introduction: Drug addiction has become a controversial issue these days as a great number of people are now addicted to various types of drugs throughout the world. Today, a wide variety of drugs is available in the markets including alcohol, cocaine, heroin, LSD and marijuana. People of every age specifically youngsters are addicted to these drugs; particularly marijuana is very common among youth of the western countries (Daley & Marlatt, 2006). Though, legalization of marijuana is more divisive topic and a serious issue that has initiated argumentative debates among researchers and intellectuals. There is no such place that could be declared as a drug-free state, only addiction types and rates vary from state to state (Goldstein, 2010). Researchers have noticed that people are facing various perplexing issues due to drug addiction and its negative influences in their every aspect of life. Problems: Use of marijuana can create diversified problems ranging from health issues to social and domestic complexities. Gerber (2004) study shows that many scholars have explored negative influences of marijuana use and they have advised illegalization of marijuana in the United States. Health problem is a most serious issue, which is associated with the use of marijuana. Battisti, Roodenrys, Johnstone, Respondek, Hermens and Solowij study reports that the short-term effects on health should be considered foremost for banning the usage of marijuana. The authors have pinpointed that marijuana causes short-term effects on memory and concentration level of mind. Over-dosage of marijuana creates both sorts of disabilities among individuals i.e. physical and mental. It reduces stamina of body and addict people suffer problems of fatigue at very young age. ElSohly` research on Marijuana usage and impact on health highlights some other short-term effects of marijuana, which include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, disturbed breathing rate, mouth dryness, red eyes and an increase in appetite. Scholars point out that these effects are experienced by drug users after one or two hour and these impacts last for four to five hours. However, marijuana hangs around in the body system for more than twenty hours (ElSohly, 2006). Sometimes, addict individuals start taking more than normal time to respond while interacting with other people. Further, Shrivastava, Johnston,and Tsuang study discusses that the use of cannabis contribute to weaken the cognitive development of the young individuals. Effects of cannabis on mind growth are usually long-termed and tend to create several health and behavior related problems. Cannabis in one of the most abused illicit drug that possesses tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH) that directly hits growth and the functioning power of brain. Health researchers have suggested that visuomotor and oculomotor skills are badly affected by the use of marijuana. This study also explores that effects of marijuana are more adverse on cognitive development of younger individuals as compare to adults (Shrivastava, Johnston, & Tsuang, 2011). Young addicts easily lose their power of thinking and concentration after taking over dose of marijuana. Other researchers have explored that apart from dangerous effects of THC content, the amount of tar, which is inhaled by the marijuana users is much more effectual than smoking. (Johnson, 2010) Additionally, those who smoke marijuana face breathing problems along with cough, chest colds, and phlegm and in severe conditions they start showing symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Continuous use of marijuana also badly injured internal organ tissues specially lung tissues. Moreover, ilicits drugs adversely influence reproductive system of men and women both (Johnson, 2010). Biological studies show that if woman uses marijuana during pregnancy fetal abnormalities occurs in ovulation and if man makes misuse of marijuana it may decrease mobility and quality of sperms. On other hand, researchers have also noticed that users of marijuana behave in an aggressive manner due addiction and many aspects of their lives get interrupted because of illegal use of marijuana. Battisti, Roodenrys, Johnstone, Respondek, Hermens and Solowij reported about youngsters of the United States, who are deeply involved in usage of illegal drugs and attempt to promote legalization of marijuana in their states. It has noticed that despite being aware of negative influences of illicit drugs individuals strongly want legalization of drugs. College and schooling going young teens are making illegal use of marijuana and they are unaware of the fact that harmful health problems can create barriers in their education career. Also, marijuana is leading them towards harder drugs like LSD, cocaine and Ecstasy and usage of such substances will spoil their precious time and health (Halperin, 2008). Substance addiction can also create severe behavior, psychological and emotional disorders that ultimately results in destructive outcomes. Legalization of marijuana will encourage individuals to consume it in an excessive amount that will ultimately contribute to ruin their health and attitude (Halperin, 2008). Addictive Behavior: Addictive behavior of young individuals towards marijuana refers to the behavior for a specific substance that becomes a main focus of life to the exclusion of all other doings. Today, millions of people are addicted to marijuana and other drugs that are harmful for their social behavior. Housman and Kinney book reveals that legalization of marijuana will increase the addiction level among youth. Researchers have confirmed that misuse of marijuana and other illicit drugs can make their users obsessed and they keep on thinking about their favorite drug. An important aspect of addict behavior is that when a person uses any substance in excessive amount on daily basis his/her body physically and mentally get used to it and eventually a person`s body start desiring particular substance (Housman & Kinney, 1999). Mainly because of chemical imbalance in the brain nerves and in such a situation an addict person attempts to do every possible action that he/she can do get the substance they are addicted to. Castle, Murray and D`Souza points out that in the United States young individuals seem totally unaware of the fact that their addiction for marijuana can lead them towards destruction and criminality. They do not want to quit it for the sake of temporary relaxation and pleasure they get with the use of illicit drugs. Addict persons get intensely involved in drug misuse and find it difficult to control their over use of such drugs. When they do not get desirable drug they start showing symptoms of the addiction such as craving, restlessness and depression (Castle, Murray, & D'Souza, 2011). In extreme cases, their craving and restless condition turns into aggressive or violent behavior and they start abusing their own friends or family members. It is mainly because they loss control of mind and their aggressive attitude lasts for four to five hours or till then they get the desireable substance. Consequently, social relationship and bonds with family members also get interrupted and in sever conditions addictive behavior becomes an important reason behind divorce (Castle, Murray, & D'Souza, 2011). It has also noticed that addict people never accept their mistakes and the fact that they have become a problem creator for all those who are present around them. Researchers have also explored that substance addiction leads young individuals towards criminality because when they find no way to get the drug they chose illegal means such as through black markets. Additionally, they get involved in criminal activities like theft and robbery to make money through illegal means and buy drugs. Noticeably, prostitution is a most prominent crime among addict females, who join prostitution for the sake of gaining money and pay drugs (ElSohly, 2006). In other words, it can be said that addicts turn towards criminal activities to for their desiring drug. Further, it has been noticed that drug purchase related crimes are increasing day by day and it has become a significant problems these days because young teens are addict individuals are spoiling their precious time and money by smoking marijuana and other harmful drugs. Addictive behavior of drug users brings out serious negative impact because due to their addict behavior only they do not suffer, but their friends, family members and all other people have to suffer whom they interact with (Castle, Murray, & D'Souza, 2011). Relationship, work, education and personality are badly influenced with the harmful effects of drug addiction and it is highly important for regulatory bodies to introduce preventive programs and innovative treatment approaches to minimize dangerous effects of substance addiction. Prevention Program: An increase in drug addiction at global level has grasped attention of regulatory bodies and concerned practitioners, who have attempted to design prevention strategies in order to minimize harmful effects of substance addiction among youth. United Nations office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODCCP) presented a report containing proposed strategies, which are planned to control drug addiction effects at international level. This report shows that within past few years, prevention programs against drug abuse have increased and are more likely successful if implemented appropriately. The researchers of the report have identified that before designing prevention strategy it is highly important to identify the nature and type of drug abuse within a particular group of the society (UNODCCP, 2002). Also, media efforts are not enough to provide complete awareness to people regarding negative influences of drug abuse. Initially, scare tactics were used to inform people about the harmful effects of illicit drugs with the consideration that after knowing about the devastating effects of drugs, people will limit the misuse of drugs. However, it has noticed that information dissemination prevention approach has not worked sufficiently (UNODCCP, 2002). Therefore, more improved strategies have been recommended, which include awareness programs at national level through seminars and conferences among government officials and community chiefs. It is considered highly important to aware regulatory bodies at first place so that they can further support the prevention programs. Primary prevention programs are planned to prevent drug addicts from misuse of harmful drugs (UNODCCP, 2002). Primary prevention programs include school-based education regarding misuse of drugs. Schools administrative bodies are responsible to implement and maintain support school environment policies, which assure parents that their children will be taught about every possible way of preventing drug abuse. Mainly because prevention is more effective than implementing give up strategies on addict individual after they reach at certain level of addition (UNODC, 2004). UNODCCP report highlights that 68% governments confirmed school-based prevention programs in different states. 40% information programs have been conducted in health care centers, while only few regulatory bodies reported such programs at work places. It has noticed that in some countries school education systems have added drug prevention information in the syllabus at secondary level in order to educate children at early teen stage such as in most European countries this strategy has been observed (UNODCCP, 2002). Further, another realistic and implementable strategy includes the production and distribution of stickers, pamphlets, banners and leaflets, which contain a short message related to drug abuse prevention. This strategy was propose with the aim that young short message though provoking messages will directly trigger in their minds and help them avoid harmful drugs (UNODCCP, 2002). A team of experts has suggested the implementation of life-skills development programs that refer to a wide variety of activities planned to promote social and coping capacities in order to facilitate that addict members of a society to quit drug addiction and avoid all those health and social problems that developed due to misuse of illicit drugs (UNODCCP, 2002). Experts suggest that these activities should be culture orientated and equal opportunities should be provided to all irrespective of age, caste or gender factors. Regulatory bodies of communities are highly responsible for the arrangements and promotion of such activities within the community at a local level. This strategic plan is recommended to target high risk population including college and university students (UNODCCP, 2002). Additionally, workshops are highly recommended to motivate parents for learning prevention strategies and to educate them about their role in drug abuse prevention. Treatment Approach: Drug addiction is a complex, but a treatable disorder that needs appropriate method of treatment with respect to the type and nature of drug addiction. Hanson,  Venturelli, and. Fleckenstein book presents that treatment of drug addiction requires combination of useful medicines and behavioral therapies.  Behavioral changes are most important to deal and treat with the addiction problems. Some vital behavioral therapies include psychotherapy and counseling. These therapies help addict individuals deeply analyze the harmful effects of drugs some of which can also cause death such as alcohol poisoning. It is suggested that the immediate goal of treatment should be the reduction in amount of drug intake (Hanson, Venturelli, & Fleckenstein, 2011). It has been explored that use of levo-alpha acetyl methadol (LAAM) is an effective method of blocking the effects of drugs like heroin and also sufficient dosage of LAAM helps reduces craving for the drug. The study shows that it is very important to treat patients for an adequate time period for the effective health improvement (Miller, 2002). However, suitable period of treatment totally depends on behavior and intensity of individuals` addiction. It has noted that most health practitioners recommend at least three months treatment for the significant improvements in addictive behavior (Hanson, Venturelli, & Fleckenstein, 2011). In addition, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) research report illustrates that effective treatment help addict individuals quit the intake of drugs and recover their lives. Researchers have found some key principles, which should be followed to run effective treatment programs. Those key principles include every type of addiction should be treated based on the nature of substance and its effects (Robertson, David, & Rao, 2003). Health practitioners should keep check and balance on the needs of addict individuals, which are developed in place of desired substances during treatment. Treatment programs should also include tactics for identifying involvement of any mental disorder or symptoms of AIDs, tuberculosis or hepatitis B and C (Robertson, David, & Rao, 2003). This approach will help doctors recognize other physical or mental complexities in a patient and to adopt most suitable method of addiction treatment. Researchers have noted that medication is the first step of the treatment process that work to develop brain function and to prevent craving for the substance. Today, medication for different drugs is available including opioids, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Moreover, it has noticed from the previous researches that poly drug users have to go through the treatment processes for all of the drugs they abuse. Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are usually recommended as the most effective medicines to treat opioids abusers. Methadone and buprenorphine help diminish the craving for heroin and morphine, while naltrexone controls the harmful effects of opioids in the body (Robertson, David, & Rao, 2003). Relieve from tobacco addiction treatment method includes replacement of nicotine with skin patch, gum, and lozenges. Additionally, two essential medicines are also recommended to reduce the effects of tobacco in the body: buropion and varenicline. On other hand, recommended behavioral treatments work to encourage patients` involvement in treatment process and give them motivation for attaining healthy skills back in their lives. Most important behavioral therapies include cognitive behavior therapy that assists patients in identifying, quitting and coping up the conditions in which they are more likely to abuse drugs (Johnson, 2010). Further, multidimensional family therapy is recommended to improve function of all family members in order, to deal with the addictive behavior of young adolescents. Addict individuals are motivated towards change through motivational incentives that present before them a positive way of living life free from health and social problems. In some cases, therapeutic community programs are structured to treat patients at their homes with the coordination of family members at least for six to twelve months (Johnson, 2010). The main focus of these treatments and strategies is that to gain stress less and crime free lifestyle for the addict individuals of the society. Conclusion: From the above discussion, it has been noticed that today thousands of individuals especially youngsters have become drug addicts. Marijuana is a most common type of drug popular among young teens; they strongly support legalization of marijuana for its convenient purchase, but harmful effects of drug abuse are not ignorable. Drug addiction is badly influencing each aspect of addicts` lives and eventually the whole society is suffering from the curse of drug addiction. Negative behavior, employment issues, crimes and divorce rates and perplexed health issues are increasing with the emerging trend of drug abuse among youth. Health experts and researchers have contributed to explore out prevention and treatment methods at global level to reduce the devastating impact of drugs. Therefore, it could be concluded that legalization of marijuana or any other harmful drug can increase further complexities for addict individuals, their families and society. List of References Battisti, R., & Roodenrys, S. (2010). Chronic Use of Cannabis and Poor Neural Efficieny in Verbal Memory Ability. Psychopharmacology , 4 (209), 319-330. Castle, D., Murray, R., & D'Souza, D. (2011). Marijuana and Madness. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Daley, D., & Marlatt, A. (2006). Overcoming Your Alcohol Or Drug Problem: Effective Recovery Strategies. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ElSohly, M. (2006). Marijuana And The Cannabinoids. New Jersey: Humana Press. Gerber, R. (2004). Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition Politics. West Port: Greenwood Publishing Group. Goldstein, M. (2010). Legalizing Drugs: Crime Stopper or Social Risk? Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books. Halperin, S. (2008). Going to Pot? Entertainment Week (38), 987. Hanson, G., Venturelli, P., & Fleckenstein, A. (2011). Drugs and Society. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Housman, R., & Kinney, P. (1999). Destructive Impacts of Drugs on the United States: How the Legalization of Drugs would Jeopardize the Health and Safety of the American People and Our Nation. Maryland: NCJRS. Johnson, B. (2010). Addiction Medicine: Science and Practice. Virginia: Springer. Miller, R. (2002). The Encyclopedia of Addictive Drugs. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group. Robertson, E., David, S., & Rao, S. (2003). Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders. Pennsylvania: DIANE Publishing. Shrivastava, A., Johnston, M., & Tsuang, M. (2011). Cannabis use and cognitive dysfunction. Department of Psychiatry , 53 (3), 187-191. UNODC. (2004). Schools Based Education for Drug Abuse Prevention. New York: Global Youth Network. UNODCCP. (2002). Lessons Learned in Drug Abuse Prevention:A Global Review. New York: The Mentor Foundation. Read More