Drugs And Society Essay Research Paper The

Drugs And Society Essay, Research Paper

The correlation of drugs and drug-using behavior is linked to crime in several fashions. Most directly, it is a crime to use, possess, manufacture, or distribute drugs classified as illegal. Illegal drug sale.s is also accompanied by violence, which leads to deadlier crimes. Violence against rival traffickers influences each of us daily. More broadly, drugs bear about drug-related behavior. The generation of violence was the result of the effects of drugs. The abuser may be engaging in criminal activities in order to obtain money for the drugs. Drugs also cause individuals to become more violent, aggressive and sexually aroused (which may lead into rape) while under the influence of drugs. In 1996 the National Center on Addition and Substance Abuse (CASA) estimated that of the $38 billion in correctional expenditures; more than $30 billion was spent incarcerating individuals who had a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse. Those who were convicted of drug and/or alcohol violations, were high on drugs and/or alcohol at the time of their crime, or committed their crime to get money to buy drugs. Substance abuse and addiction have fundamentally changed the nature of America’s prison population. State prisons, federal prisons, and local jails are bursting at the bars with alcohol and drug abusers and addicts and those who sell illegal drugs. In America, crime, drugs, and substance abuse are joined at the hip. The chemical dependent is most effected by drugs. The penal system has implement several programs in order to keep substance abusers/ chemical dependents from relapsing. Such programs will identify the offenders/chemical dependent, assess their treatment and training needs, separate them from criminal incorrigibles and give them the hand up they need to become productive and responsible citizens. Treatment for chemical dependency educates the person that it is their biochemical reaction to the toxins, which causes the loss of control, similar to an allergy. Emphasis is placed on rebuilding self-esteem, increasing awareness of feelings, and making lifestyle changes to obtain more lasting and more satisfying happiness without chemicals. The most important message of treatment is the comfort and safety felt within a group of people who share in the same struggle. By doing so crime will be reduced. Reducing alcohol and drug abuse and addiction is the key to the major reduction in crime and the prison population.

Chemical Dependency (alcoholism and drug addiction) part I.

Chemical Dependency is the compulsively repetitive conversion of brain chemistry. This alteration is achieved by means of a toxin (drug or alcohol). The alteration is accomplished in order to produce temporary relief from frustration, grief, or pain quickly without changing the thoughts or behavior that cause these negative feelings.

There are several characteristics of the chemically dependent/ drug abuser. Chemically dependent people typically have low self-esteem; they are lacking coping skills, and social skills. The drug abuser more often come from abusive, chemically dependent, and dysfunctional family systems. They appear to be bored, confused, lonely, depressed, and angry. Although they feel guilty about their loss of control over their using and their behavior, thoughts, and feelings; the chemical dependent tend to blame others or external circumstances. The drug abuser will deny that they have a problem.

Chemical dependency is labeled as a disease. Although there is no know cure. Chemical dependency is a treatable disease. This disease can be held in remission through a basic lifestyle change (i.e. not associating with drug abusers). The tendency to relapse is always present. The degree of dependency on chemicals always increases, even when the person is not using. Drug abuse can be fatal if allowed to progress.

Chemical Dependency part II.

Chemical dependency is generally defined as the use of a drug with such frequency that the abuser has physical or mental harm or it impairs social abilities. There are three basic characteristics that indicate that an individual is dependent on a drug. First, the abuser continues to use the drug for an extended period of time. Second, the abuser finds it difficult to stop using the drug. They may drop out of school, steal, go to jail, lose their jobs, or leave their families in order to keep using. Finally, the abuser has withdrawal symptoms when drug use is stopped. They may undergo physical pain or mental distress. The drug mimics a natural process in the brain called neurotransmission. This is when a brain cell releases a signal to another brain cell. The signal then returns to the first brain cell. The signal is called a neurotransmitter. One major neurotransmitter is called dopamine, which is involved in feelings of pleasure. When the drug is released into the brain, it blocks the dopamine from returning to the first brain cell. Repeated use changes the brain cells so that normal messages can’t be sent between brain cells. The drug must always be present in order for neurotransmissions to take place. The abuser is only able to feel pleasure from the cocaine rather than the things he/she used to find pleasurable. Hence we have drug addiction or chemical/drug dependency.

Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive drugs those drugs that influence or alter the working