It was around Christmas last year when my dad first told me he started doing cocaine. I was shocked, however knowing his past history this was nothing out of the ordinary. On Friday February 2, 2018 I found out that my dad was found dead in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose; his body is assumed to have been there since Thursday afternoon. As a teenager/ adult it is easy to get caught up in the wrong things. Peer pressure, self-esteem issues, and the continuous need to fit in can cause us to do unhealthy things. After extensive research and a personal connection to the harmful effects of drug use, I am here to bring awareness to the drug problem in America. There is an increasing amount of drug related deaths in America. The increase
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Drug overdose is the leading cause of death among Americans under 50. Drugs have extreme short and long term effects. Short term effects include: anxiety, intense drug craving, violent behavior, and irritability. Some long term effects include: tolerance to the drug, live, kidney, and lung damage, and possibly death. A former cocaine addict recounts on his experience with the drug. He said,” It’s a totally selfish drug, this crack. It takes over your life. Crack grads ahold quickly. It doesn’t take long at all.The cravings it produces are massive. And you end up using it more frequently because the high is short-lasting,” (The Truth About Crack Cocaine, Peter). Drugs take control of your life; they consume your thoughts and body. The main cause of the drug problem in America is the opioid epidemic. Part of the problem is physicians willingness to prescribe opiods. Deaths involving opioids has increased from 4,041 in 1999 to 14,459 in 2007 (Drug Deaths in America Are Rising Faster Than Ever, Katz). Doing drugs does not only affect users, it also affects the family and friends of the users. Drug use can cause families to be resentful and bitter to the user. People often use drugs to experiment or to escape. Do do more harm than good. The trouble caused by drugs is far worse than any problem you’re trying to solve by taking
Drug overdose is the leading cause of death among Americans under 50. Drugs have extreme short and long term effects. Short term effects include: anxiety, intense drug craving, violent behavior, and irritability. Some long term effects include: tolerance to the drug, live, kidney, and lung damage, and possibly death. A former cocaine addict recounts on his experience with the drug. He said,” It’s a totally selfish drug, this crack. It takes over your life. Crack grads ahold quickly. It doesn’t take long at all.The cravings it produces are massive. And you end up using it more frequently because the high is short-lasting,” (The Truth About Crack Cocaine, Peter). Drugs take control of your life; they consume your thoughts and body. The main cause of the drug problem in America is the opioid epidemic. Part of the problem is physicians willingness to prescribe opiods. Deaths involving opioids has increased from 4,041 in 1999 to 14,459 in 2007 (Drug Deaths in America Are Rising Faster Than Ever, Katz). Doing drugs does not only affect users, it also affects the family and friends of the users. Drug use can cause families to be resentful and bitter to the user. People often use drugs to experiment or to escape. Do do more harm than good. The trouble caused by drugs is far worse than any problem you’re trying to solve by taking