Drug Abuse “I used to think a drug addict was someone who lived on the far edges of society. Wild-eyed, shaven-headed and living in a filthy squat. That was until I became one...” (Kemp 1). In today’s society it is common for individuals to link onto something such as a person or drug. The recurrent use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs with negative consequences is known as drug abuse (umm.edu). In this day in age drug abuse is consuming the nation and will continue to do so if it is not overcome. The use of drugs first began in California around the time of 1875. In America during this time the focus was mainly on the building of goldmines and railroads. However, the issue of drugs soon began to
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According to the Drug Policy Alliance, “the number of people arrested for nonviolent drug law offenses increased from 50,000 in 1980 to over 400,000 by 1997”. Although 64 percent of Americans that drug abuse was an issue, and the President declared a war on drugs this did not diminish the problem of drug usage. In 2000, the CRC Health Group had a wide variety of Americans from all over the country take a survey on drug usage. “It was estimated that 14 million Americans were current illicit drug users. Among youth aged 12 to 17 in 2000, 9.7 percent had used an illicit drug within the 30 days prior to the interview (CRC 2).” The fact that some Americans and just individuals all over the world are drug users is not the problem in this society. The problem starts when it becomes a second nature to use these drugs and becomes and everyday things. Drug abuse is causing a problem in our society because in America alone, it is causing our economy to drop just for the simple fact that drug users are typically lazy. The affect that drugs take on the human body creates a division between the goals that individuals have set and where drug users typically end up. According to National Institute of Health, “drugs create mood swings, a change in personality, and a …show more content…
People aspire to be like their favorite celebrity who may not be the best influence. A major influence on the majority of youth is celebrities and that glamourous aspect that comes with being one. Drug abuse has been a common factor in Hollywood as there have been multiple deaths due to drug overdose. Cory Monteith was an actor on the show Glee who tragically died due to a drug overdose in July of last year. There are multiple Hollywood names that are making it seem as if drug abuse is a natural and good thing for individuals. Stars like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber publicize the use of marijuana to such a large following on all social Medias. Recently movie star Jackie Chan’s son, Jaycee Chan, was found in a drug arrest. Mr. Chan had been tested positive for marijuana, with more than 100 grams of the drug found at Mr. Chan’s home (D’Zurilla 1). Jaycee Chan could potentially face three years in jail in he is found guilty (News Asia 2). In a survey conducted by Barclays Spaces for Sports, twenty-six percent of teens aged 13-18 reported that they are more influenced by celebrities than by people they actually know. This fact goes to show that celebrities have a larger influence on the American
According to the Drug Policy Alliance, “the number of people arrested for nonviolent drug law offenses increased from 50,000 in 1980 to over 400,000 by 1997”. Although 64 percent of Americans that drug abuse was an issue, and the President declared a war on drugs this did not diminish the problem of drug usage. In 2000, the CRC Health Group had a wide variety of Americans from all over the country take a survey on drug usage. “It was estimated that 14 million Americans were current illicit drug users. Among youth aged 12 to 17 in 2000, 9.7 percent had used an illicit drug within the 30 days prior to the interview (CRC 2).” The fact that some Americans and just individuals all over the world are drug users is not the problem in this society. The problem starts when it becomes a second nature to use these drugs and becomes and everyday things. Drug abuse is causing a problem in our society because in America alone, it is causing our economy to drop just for the simple fact that drug users are typically lazy. The affect that drugs take on the human body creates a division between the goals that individuals have set and where drug users typically end up. According to National Institute of Health, “drugs create mood swings, a change in personality, and a …show more content…
People aspire to be like their favorite celebrity who may not be the best influence. A major influence on the majority of youth is celebrities and that glamourous aspect that comes with being one. Drug abuse has been a common factor in Hollywood as there have been multiple deaths due to drug overdose. Cory Monteith was an actor on the show Glee who tragically died due to a drug overdose in July of last year. There are multiple Hollywood names that are making it seem as if drug abuse is a natural and good thing for individuals. Stars like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber publicize the use of marijuana to such a large following on all social Medias. Recently movie star Jackie Chan’s son, Jaycee Chan, was found in a drug arrest. Mr. Chan had been tested positive for marijuana, with more than 100 grams of the drug found at Mr. Chan’s home (D’Zurilla 1). Jaycee Chan could potentially face three years in jail in he is found guilty (News Asia 2). In a survey conducted by Barclays Spaces for Sports, twenty-six percent of teens aged 13-18 reported that they are more influenced by celebrities than by people they actually know. This fact goes to show that celebrities have a larger influence on the American