The Impact of Legal and Illegal Drugs in Society and in Prisons - Essay Example

Drugs – Disastrous Demon of the Space Age Introduction The use of drugs to relieve pain has been recorded in many of the world cultures from time immemorial. Drugs are also used in religious rites, as means of recreation, as boosters in sports, and so on. While the use of some drugs is relatively less harmful, others are potentially dangerous and hence, their use has been declared illegal. Legal drugs or prescription drugs are frequently pain-killers, muscle-relaxants and types of steroids are prescribed to people in order to overcome pain, trauma, and aid recovery from depression. The use of such drugs is legal though, many times they tend to be misused. Drugs that have the power to hallucinate, alter our behavior, moods and influence the way we think, like for example, Cocaine, Heroin and so on are illegal drugs and the use of these have been banned in many a country. Illicit drug use has increased manifold in recent times, as can be inferred from The Health Research Board Report that, “drug market in Ireland is worth more than €650 million a year and is continuing to expand” (RTE 2008). The situation is serious not only because it involves the country’s economics and financial matter, but also because it involves the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of millions of people, especially the young. Although alcohol, tobacco and to a lesser extent chocolates are also addictive, they are not considered as drugs and thus are not taken for discussion in this essay. This essay shall examine the impact of the use of legal and illegal drugs in the society, and also in prisons, and argue that the use of drugs - legal or illegal, is potentially harmful and urgent, corrective measures need to be taken immediately to avert drug disaster. Various facts and figures shall support the argument and in the process, it is envisaged to understand a few the possible means to avert drug-related disasters in the future. Prescription Drugs and OTCs – Increasing Evil The United Nations’ International Narcotics Control Board Report (2006) states that, currently pharmaceutical drugs misuse had overtaken illicit drug trade, the world over (Sandall 2008). Prescription drugs are purportedly administered to promote health and well-being and therefore innocuous. A closer look on the subject reveals that this may not be so. For example, ‘The Guardian’ UK, has reported the death of a man in the USA caused by misuse of legal drugs (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/10/usa?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews). The report also cites the 2006 National Survey Report on Drug Use and Health to point that legal drugs are the second most popular (first being marijuana) in use by youngsters between the ages 12-17; furthermore the past decade and a half has seen a 140 % rise in abuse of painkillers, and other prescription drugs have found their way into parties as recreation pills. So why are these seemingly safe prescription-drugs causing so much concern? It is because quite a few of these prescription drugs may be habit-forming. While one may not be in any serious danger by taking a few analgesics or anti-inflammatory tablets, drugs like anti-depressants do have a tendency to addict, since they change “the binding of neurotransmitters to receptors in the brain” and are, simply put “mood-enhancers” (Sandall 2008). To explain further, the legal prescription drugs may be divided into three types: 1) Pain-killers that are opiate-based like - OxyContin and Percocet; 2) Anxiety and Insomnia correction drugs (anti-depressants) like, Valium and Xanax; and finally 3) Stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall (Guardian 2008). What is most pertinent here is that, there are substitutes for almost all narcotic drugs that are banned or labeled illegal. For example, the drug Ritalin contains Methylphenidate that acts on the pleasure-producing regions of the brain just as cocaine does. Thus one can be well within legal limits and still abuse drugs, without being detected; and this is what makes it dangerous, as explicated by the case of the man who died due to overdose of prescription drugs in afore referred article in ‘Guardian’ (2008). Importantly, it is to be noted that such addictive drugs (though superficially harmless) are also available without prescription at many of the drug-stores and pharmacies since they have been classified as ‘OTCs’, or ‘over the counter’ drugs. The drug Codeine with a synthetic-opiate base is one such pain-killer that is available over the counter and has addictive properties. Some OTCs, the authorities fear, also cause sucicidal tendencies and have revealed in the General Medical Association Conference (2004) that the approximate number of OTC addicted persons in the UK alone may be around 50 thousand (Sandall 2008). Another drug Buprenorphine (Temgesic) has also been found to be addictive. It was first introduced to Ireland in as early as 1980 and a study has shown buprenorphine is one of the most commonly abused drugs of Dublin's opiate addicts (O’Connor, Moloney, Travers & Campbell 1988, pp.1085-7). Easy availability of drugs over the internet is attibuted to be one of the main reasons for the increasing abuse of prescribed drugs. Online medical treatment and door delivery systems have ensured that anyone can purchase drugs without prescriptions. Since drugs are easily available and seem to offer quick soultions to many of the modern age problems like stress, anxiety and sleeplessness (to name a few), one tends to think that it is perfectly safe to use such drugs and inadvertantly leads oneself to addiction which may sometimes be even fatal. The Reitox National Focal Point National Report -2007 (2006 Data) to The EMCDDA (2007) gives some pertinent facts and figures regarding the position of drug abuse in Ireland. According to the report, between the years 2001 and 2004, opiate-related deaths amounted to 60% of all direct drug-related deaths and the numbers increased tremendously between the years 1995 to 1999; in Dublin alone the numbers rose from 33 to 96, elsewhere it rose from 3 to 26. After a temporary fall in the years preceding 2003, the number of deaths showed a significant rise from 46 to 60 in the year 2003-2004 (Reitox Report 2007, pp 90-1). Furthermore this trend correlates with the general trend in Europe, according to the report, which indicates that the problem of legal drug abuse is not confined only to the American population. Illicit Drugs, Alcohol and HIV - The Deadly Cocktail Shane Butler in Paul O’ Mahony‘s work Criminal Justice in Ireland (2002) cites Drugs Courts Report (1998, p.11) and notes that “Drug abuse is a cancer in our society. It destroys individuals, families and communities (p.414).” Cocaine, marijuana, heroin, crack, are some of the illicit, narcotic drugs peddled by drug-traffickers. Narcotic drugs are well-known to cause hallucinations and temporary lifts of mood and their harmful effects are well documented. As the level of narcotic drug in the blood stream rises, tolerance to the drug develops and soon additional intake of the drug is required for the individual to reach the same level of ‘high’ previously experienced. This makes narcotic based drugs extremely addictive making it a progressive disease. While in the initial stages the user is able to carry on with his/her usual activities with slightly more confidence, the craving for the drug that follows causes behavioral changes that are hard to reverse. Cocaine, a frequently abused drug, can actually impair the dopamine-receptor system in the brain which is associated with the higher level decision making processes in the brain, according to a study conducted by Dr. Robert Hester of Trinity College, Dublin, and Dr. Hugh Garavan of Trinity College and the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and published in 2004 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience (Buddy 2006). The abuse of illicit drugs is often found to spread through social networking of peer groups, friends. The Copenhagen Report of the UNDCP states it has been found that “drug use by peers may exert a greater influence than the attitudes of parents. This researcher observed that peer and parental influences are synergistic, with the highest rates of marijuana use being observed among adolescents whose parents and friends were drug users” (p. 10). Furthermore, it is found that narcotic drug addicts do not just use cocaine everyday; they frequently experiment with other forms of drugs and intoxicants like pills, ecstasy, tranquilizers, marijuana, and alcohol (Grohsman, 2007). A Research study on the outcomes of drug treatment in England (DTORS 2007, pp. 4-5) gives the percentage of various drug users who sought treatment for drug addiction: nearly 50% reported the use of crack, cannabis or alcohol, and 25% - benzodiazepines, 22% - ‘other opiates’, 18% - illegal methadone and 15% cocaine powder. The study states that “Users of heroin who had not used crack were more likely to have also used other opiates and benzodiazepines, whereas crack users who had not used heroin were more likely to have used cocaine powder or alcohol” (p. 5). It is pertinent to note that the research findings correlate with the point that addicts generally use more than one form of drug or intoxicant. Narcotic drugs together with alcohol make for a deadly combination, and may lead to almost certain death. ‘Guardian’ in the The Observer, dated Sunday 9 December 2007, reports one such death of an Irish model, and has sought to focus the attention of the public on the fatality of the drug-alcohol cocktail. The availibility of drugs in pubs and parties make it almost impossible for youngsters to abstain from the abuse of the two substances and have led to many a car accident, suicide and instance of heart-attack, laments the article. Furthermore, the article also points out the coliation the drug cartels working in co-ordination to provide the drug-users with cocaine mixed with crushed ecstacy in order to keep them addicted (Guardian, 2007). The observations made by the Guardian article is supported by the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS) conducted with the aim of assess the efficacy of drug treatment measure taken in England. According to the report, of the criminal justice referrals volunteering to participate in the study, 76 % of opiate users admitted to poly-drug use that could carry an overdose risk (for example, opiates in combination with benzodiazepines or alcohol); nearly 37 % of them also admitted to injections being the mode of the poly-drug use; about 9% of them also admitted to experiencing an overdose of these drugs during the three months prior to the research period (DTORS, 2007, p. iii). One can clearly understand from the above that drugs are invariably not taken alone, and thus in combination with alcohol and other legal drugs, the chances of fatal overdose is not improbable. If the above stated is not reason enough to take immediate steps to stop the spread of drug abuse, there is yet another reason to be alarmed. As can be noted from the previous paragraph, many of the addicts have admitted to using injections to take drugs. Often the injections are reused and shared by the peer group, and this increases the spread of HIV/AIDS infection. One of the principle means of transmission of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is the use of dirty syringes; when an uninfected person uses a syringe that has already been used by an infected person the t former also becomes infected by the virus. Moreover, the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, impairs decision making capacities and may lead to risky/ unprotected sexual behavior spreading HIV/AIDS infection (NIDA, http://hiv.drugabuse.gov/english/message/webisodes.html). Pitiably, many users may not even realize their HIV infected state, leading to even more complications, and further spread of HIV/AIDS pandemic. Drugs – Crime, Violence and Prison The definition of crime may vary from state to state; however, as regards drugs, international treaties and agreements have helped in arriving at a common consensus as to what is crime. Drug abuse and crime may be related in more ways than one. For example, it has been shown explicitly that drug abuse impairs judgment and therefore, an individual is not fully in control of his senses under its influence. Some drugs have also been shown to give a feeling of euphoria to its users, which may lead to unpredictable behavior. Even more dangerous is when an individual is addicted to drugs, the body’s craving for the next dose becomes so compulsive individuals are known to go to any length to get hold of the drug and satisfy the craving. This includes transaction of money, or aggressive deeds like robbing, beating, rape and even murder. In a larger context, 1) illegal production/manufacture and distribution, or even possession of drugs is a crime in many states. 2) Drugs also tend to increase the chances of other types of crimes – like the one mentioned above. 3) Illicit drugs are peddled with the intention of profit- making; as a business it is well coordinated and subsequently the amount involved runs into millions of Euros and Dollars, and even leads to money-laundering activities. 4) Frequently, drugs are also the underlying reason for activities such as illegal use of guns, blackmail, pornography and illegal transaction of money (UNDCP Report 1995, p.24). One small example of the enormity of the illicit business can be inferred from two instances in 1995 and 1999. In the earlier instance the Garda seized over 15,000 kilograms of hashish from a container in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny, the market value of which was estimated at approximately £16m, and in the later instance, the seizure was worth £15m of cannabis (Guardian 2000). More recent Health Research Board Reports cited by the RTE dated December 2005 (2008) states that the illicit drug trade in Ireland has grown astronomically and the market “value of cannabis resin seized is over €374m, followed by ecstasy at €129m, cocaine at €75m, heroin at €54m, amphetamines €10m, cannabis herb at €4m with the remainder made up of LSD” (http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/1221/drugs1.html). Another dimension of drug abuse and its associated crimes is the impact of drugs in prisons, where drug traffickers serve their term along with other law offenders. Drug related crimes perpetrate into prison cells too, and therefore the Prison Services, in their combined capacities with other agencies of the criminal justice system, play an important role in dealing with drug-related crime (Liriano & Ramsay 2003, p. 7). A Report on Minimizing the Supply of Drugs, published by Prison Service (2008) admits that the impacts of drug addicts and drug dealing inside the nation’s prisons were a threat challenging many establishments. This was because, “the extortionate prices charged by the dealers result, in many cases, in drug debts. Prisoners, and increasingly their families outside, are likely to be subjected to threats and intimidation to extract payment and this often goes further in acts of violence and criminal damage” (NorthernPrison Service Report 2008, p. 3-4). Furthermore, the prison-staff too face a veritable risk of assault from prisoner-addicts under the influence of drugs, just as much as other prisoners do. Sometimes, even if the addict prisoners are not violent, their often loud and foul language holds the possibility of influencing other prisoners on important issues (Prison Service Report 2008, p. 4). And when these prisoners are released, they carry with them their experiences in the prison either as victims or as assaulters and tend to unleash their pent up emotions on the public, in turn creating victims of abuse or assaulter, thus increasing the network of crime and violence. Educating the Young on Drug Dangers A number of legislations by various states, UN resolutions, drug-trafficking treaties between nations and other legal measure have met with success, but only in a limited sense. For every seizure of illicit drugs there seems to be ten illicit drug consignments reaching the hands of traffickers. This explains the rising number of drug addicts in more regions of the world. Additionally, the menace of prescription drugs and the dangers posed by them are on the rise too, leading to a increasing number of drug-related deaths in the United States of America and Ireland, as much as in other countries. So, one may wonder if there is a way out? The key to this problem may lie in educating the public regarding the disastrous effects that the demon of drugs (prescribed and illicit) can have on them. It is particularly important to impress young minds, even before they enter the drug-susceptible age of 12-16 years. Small skits, roll-plays, and video-shows of recordings of sufferers in real life can be organized in primary schools, which will help children reject drugs early on. T.V. personalities, popular cartoon characters and other personalities with who youngsters empathize with can be anchored in as ambassadors of anti-drug campaigns, to send out strong messages regarding the evils of the practice, and the power of drugs to destroy entire societies, neighborhoods, and families. Emotionally strong lessons learned early on in life may not be easily forgotten, and thus the generation next may significantly keep away from drugs. Coupled with strong enforcement laws, and sensitive handling of first-time offenders can go a long way in reducing drug abuse. While stringent laws can help detection, they shall not, however, suffice in uprooting the drug menace. It is essential to follow a multi-pronged approach to tackle the situation, with strict enforcement of laws on one hand, sensitive handling of borderline offenders, on the other, and educating the society, especially children on the other. Conclusion Drugs have been in use for long, long time in history and fall under two categories, namely – legal drugs or prescribed drugs and illicit drugs which generally have narcotic base. The former classification may appear innocuous but are deceptively habit-forming. Latest research have shown that are sometimes more harmful than their narcotic counterparts as the society is not entirely aware of the dangers involved and think it to be quite safe to take them, resulting in drug overdose. Such overdoses may unwittingly lead to death of abusers, as have been reported in some sections of the media. While illicit-drugs are well-known for their addictive nature, it has not help mitigate the trafficking of illicit drugs. To the contrary, recent times have only seen an increase in illicit drug trafficking, especially in countries like the USA and Ireland. The bane of narcotic drugs is that they have strong links to crime and violence. This is because or their mood-altering capacities and their trait to addict people, creating a craving for the drug in increasing quantities, until the person is totally destroyed physically, emotionally, mentally and financially. The also play significant role in the spread of HIV/AIDS, another modern day scourge. Prisons are as much affected by effects of drug addiction as much as the world outside, and released prisoners continue to perpetuate the crimes they experienced during their term in prisons. Thus, it can be vividly understood that drugs – in whatever form legal or illegal, are potentially harmful to the human society. They are harmful in more than one ways and the evils seem to far outweigh the meager benefits that they offer. New strategies with a multi-faceted approach to tackle this modern mind-slaving monster should be devised urgently, lest this monster crushes the entire human race with its dirty, relentless grip. References Buddy, T. 2006. “Cocaine Abuse Affects Decision Making; Finding May Explain Abuse Relapse” in About.com http://alcoholism.about.com/od/coke/a/blnida041117.htm viewed on 24 December, 2008. Guardian.co.uk. The Observer 2007. “Model's death reveals depth of Ireland's cocaine addiction” by Henry McDonald in issue dated Sunday 9 December 2007. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/dec/09/drugsandalcohol.ireland viewed on 24 December, 2008. Guardian.co.uk. The Observer 2008. “Legal drug craze is new killer” by Elizabeth Day In issue dated Sunday 10 February 2008. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/10/usa?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews viewed on 24 December, 2008. O'Connor, John J.; Moloney, Eamonn; Travers, Raymond & Campbell, Aisling. 1988. “Buprenorphine Abuse Among Opiate Addicts”. British Journal of Addiction (1988) 83, 1085-1087. http://www.addictionireland.ie/research_training/publication71.asp O'Mahony, Paul. 2002. Criminal Justice in Ireland. Institute of Public Administration. ISBN 1902448715, 9781902448718. pp. RTE New report on drugs trade in Ireland Wednesday, 21 December 2005 22:02 Robert Sandall. Prescription drugs: legal and lethal The Sunday Times February 24, 2008 The Reitox National Focal Point National Report -2007 (2006 Data) to The EMCDDA (2007) http://www.ndc.hrb.ie/attached/485-_Edited__National_Report_2007_Updated.pdf Grohsman, 2007. Drug Addiction and Society. http://www.treatment-centers.net/impact.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2000/nov/04/drugsandalcohol.freedomofinformation Read More