Woman Drug Users - Essay Example

? Sociological Case Study “Woman Drug Users” Bucur, Silviu BULETINUL Universitatii Petrol – Gaze din Ploiesti Issue & Volume Number: 62 (2) Name Course Name: SOC 101-SEC Article Summary Primarily, Bucur’s study attempts to identify the psychological and socio-demographic profile of women involved in illicit drugs, which includes female consumers and dealers. The study addresses the prevalent use of illegal drugs, particularly among women, in various countries including Bucharest, Muntenia, Transylvania, and Moldova (Bucur, 2010, p. 102). In identifying the characteristics of female drug dealers and consumers, the study also considers the underlying motivation for using illegal drugs and the existing government policies addressing the issue, which also include the impact of such policies on welfare and rehabilitation of drug users. Initially, Bucur (2010) suggests that unemployment and strained family relationships may have caused women to get involved in illicit drugs, either as consumers, dealers or both (p. 103). Relatively, Bucur’s study seeks to address two main questions: “What are the identifiable characteristics of female drug users and dealers?” and “What laws were passed concerning drug-related offenses?” Previous research concerning drug abuse among women suggests that education, employment, socio-demographic status, and outlook in life are significant determinants in influencing people to use illicit drugs (Bucur, 2010, p. 102). Specifically, both poverty and wealth affect the disposition of women. For instance, drug dealership promises a fast and sweat-free to attain large amount of money while consumption helps in forgetting stress and worries. As for the wealthy, drug consumption is just another luxury. Those information were found in recently published articles and legal papers about drugs and drug-related convictions, and those were attained through database research. The current study also found out that existing literatures concerning the topic commonly used quantitative research methods wherein the researchers conducted interviews and surveys with convicted, female drug consumers and dealers. To address the topic efficiently, Bucur’s research design includes both qualitative and quantitative research methods. In the qualitative research method, Bucur conducts studies on related literatures, which include legal papers and recently published scholarly articles. This method provides the initial background on drug use, particularly on the factors influencing the motivations of drug consumers. In the quantitative methods, Bucur conducts surveys and interviews with female inmates in selected penitentiaries in urban areas. Through the surveys, Bucur recorded the socio-demographic profile of female drug users and dealers while through the guided interviews, Bucur gathered insights on their motivations of drug abuse. Those data were plotted in graphs and diagrams illustrating the shared traits among the respondents, age, educational attainment, economic status, and kinds of drugs used. Through those graphs and diagrams, Bucur analyzed the interrelationships between the educational attainment and economic status of the respondents and their motivations and age. In analyzing the results of interviews and surveys, Bucur found out that the majority of female drug dealers and consumers reside in urban areas and this finding agrees with previously recorded ANA reports. In analyzing the socio-demographic profile of the respondents, Bucur found out that 51% of the respondents are single while 39% are married and have left their families. As for educational attainment, 85% of the respondents attain average, or above average education while in Romania, respondents are found to have low educational attainment (Bucur, 2010, p. 103). Bucur also asserts that drug dealers are, most likely, consumers, as well, considering that drugs come as a compensation for dealing it to others, which also satisfies the addiction of dealers. In the backdrop of the study, Bucur also investigates the existing public policies concerning drug abuse and found out that respondents with low level education were not even aware of the illegality of their actions. This constitutes the underlying, but equally relevant, legal aspect of the study, which focuses on the policies combating the lack or ineffective dissemination of information about the risks of drug abuse and dealership. Although Bucur’s study integrates qualitative and quantitative research methods, the prevalent methods used are the quantitative research methods. This is because the research relies heavily on data gathered through interviews, surveys, questionnaires, and other quantitative research methods. For instance, in using guided interview questionnaires, Bucur was able to quantify the findings of the interviews and surveys, which include the age, socio-demographic profile, educational attainment, and motivations of the respondents. Further, the survey questionnaires are designed to generate numerical data, which also makes recording the statistics easier and more efficient. The graphical representations, charts, and diagrams in the study present the existing statistics of female drug consumers and dealers. Such methods are helpful in attaining relevant conclusions. Critical Analysis Issues concerning illicit drugs are among the most pressing social concerns today, considering that drug abuse leads to wide ranging social problems. For instance, drug abuse may lead to addiction, crimes, emotional instability, and additional government expenses. Considering such issues, Bucur’s (2010) study is highly relevant as it addresses drug-related convictions as part of the social progress, particularly in creating “better integration and rehabilitation” strategies for those convicted for drug-related offenses (p. 104). Further, Bucur’s study relates the education and legal sector as those sectors have the greatest capacity to combat drug abuse, aside from having the personal responsibility to restrain oneself from involving in illicit drugs. In the legal aspect, for instance, the findings of Bucur’s study contribute in creating more effective anti-drug abuse policies. For instance, in dealing with those issues, Bucur attempted to identify the probable cause of using illegal drugs, which includes financial constraints and family issues. Those topics may help the government create policies resolving employment issues. Aside from the legal aspects, the study also covers the importance of education, particularly in having efficient dissemination of information on the risks of taking and selling drugs. For instance, Bucur’s study also covers the need to inform students about the risks of taking drugs, even as early as in their elementary years. This aspect highlights the role of school in molding the outlook of students, particularly in relation to illegal drugs and its risks. Lastly, the most significant finding of the study is the link between industrialization and drug abuse. Specifically, Bucur found out that drug-related cases tend to conglomerate in urban areas. Relatively, it is likely that the increasing rate of industrialization ventures may also increase the rate of drug-related cases. This situation may escalate the issue of drug abuse as an individual-level problem to a whole new level, which comes along with the persistent and demanding pressures of a highly industrialized society. 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