Drugs Essay, Research Paper

TOBACCO

Tobacco is a plant grown for its leaves that are smoked, chewed, or sniffed for a variety

of effects. It is considered an addictive substance because it contains the chemical nicotine.

The tobacco plant is believed to have originated in the Western Hemisphere. The cultivated

species most often grown for North American and European tobacco products is Nicotine

Tabacum. The leaves of the plant are prepared for smoking, chewing, or sniffing. In addition

nicotine tobacco contains over 45 carcinogens and more than 4,000 chemicals. Prior to

European influence in the Americas, the Indians of Mexico and Peru used tobacco for the

ceremonies, medical purposes and to alleviate hunger pains during famines. Columbus is

credited with introducing tobacco into Europe. Tobacco use became widely accepted by the

Portuguese, Spanish, French, British, and Scandinavians. Explorers and sailors who became

dependent upon tobacco began planting seeds at their ports of call, introducing the product

into other parts of Europe and Asia. The colonist introduced tobacco on the American

continent in the early 1600’s. It became a major crop and trading commodity of the Jamestown

Colony. Over the years tobacco has been claimed as a cure for a wide range of ailments with

varying forms of administration. Its social importance also grew over the years, even the point

of denoting the "modern women" during the 1st part of the twentieth century. It was not until

the 1960’s, with the introduction of medical research related to cigarette smoking that the

adverse health effects of the tobacco became widely publicized. Unfortunately, most of the

health hazards were only associated with cigarette smoking. While the number of cigarette

smokers in the United States has continually decreased over recent years the number of

smokeless tobacco users has steadily increased. Since the 1970’s a 15-fold increase in

smokeless tobacco has been noted in adolescents 17 to 19 years old. This has most likely been

related to the emphasis on smoke free environments, availability, increased advertising of

smokeless products, and the false belief that smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative for those

convinced they should stop smoking but who still want the nicotine effects of tobacco.

Although over 40 million people in the United States have quit smoking, about 50 million

continue to smoke (about 25% of the population). Each year, approximately 1.3 million

Americans quit smoking. In addition about two thirds of current smokers report they have

never tried to quit. About 30 to 40% of those who have not tried to quit say they do not believe

that the health risks of smoking will ultimately decrease their risks for disease. Young men are

at highest risk for using tobacco products but the incidence in women is increasing. Smokeless

tobacco use patterns are higher within the following occupations; athletes, ranchers, farmers,

fishermen, lumberjacks, and industrial workers, who have jobs requiring hand freedom.

Nicotine has both stimulant and depressant effects upon the body. Bowel tone and activity

increases along with saliva and bronchial secretions. Stimulation is followed with a phase that

depresses the respiratory muscles. As an euphoric agent, nicotine causes arousal as well as

relaxation from stressful situations. On the average, tobacco use increases the heart rate 10 to

20 beats per minute and it increases the blood pressure reading by 5 to 10 millimeters of

mercury (because it constricts the blood vessels). Nicotine may also increase sweating, nausea

and diarrhea because of its effects on the central nervous system. Nicotine’s effect upon

hormonal activities is also present. It elevates the blood level of glucose and increases insulin

production. Nicotine also tends to enhance platelet aggregation, which may lead to blood

clotting. The positive effects of nicotine upon the body should also be noted. It stimulates

memory and alertness, enhancing cognitive skills that requires speed, reaction time and work

performance. As a mood-altering agent, it tends to alleviate boredom, reduces stress, and

reduces aggressive responses to stressful events. It also tends to be an appetite suppressant

specifically decreasing the appetite for simple carbohydrates and disturbs the efficiency with

which food is metabolized. People who use tobacco products frequently depend upon it to

provide these side effects to help them accomplish certain tasks at specific levels. With all the

information that is out today why do people continue to smoke? Since 1964, the Surgeon

General has warned that smoking is a health hazard this announcement promoted the U.S.

Public Health Service and The American Cancer Society to publicize the dangers of tobacco

smoking, and offer suggestions to those trying to quit. Cigarette packages were required to

carry the warning " may be hazardous to health." Later the wording was strengthened to read "

Smoking is Dangerous to Your Health." The reason cigarette smokers do not give up this

harmful habit easily is simple; Nicotine is a highly addictive substance like many other drugs.

Smokers are hooked as surely as is any heroin or cocaine addict; giving up cigarettes creates

painful withdrawal symptoms and a craving that many people cannot overcome. The Public

Health Service has declared cigarettes and tobacco to be our most common form of drug

dependency. Researchers discovered that nicotine is carried to the brain via the bloodstream

within a minute or two of smoking; it’s then eliminated about a half-hour later, and then the

craving returns. Scientists and farmers have long known that nicotine is a deadly poison. They

use a concentrated spray of the chemical, extracted from tobacco leaves as a potent

insecticide. In humans, nicotine constricts the blood vessels, decreasing blood circulation to

the skin and vital organs. Long term smokers tend to look much older than non-smokers- a

result of the contraction of the capillaries on the skins surface, which prevents absorption of

tissue building nutrients. Furthermore, smokers afflicted with arterial hardening and

cholesterol deposits suffer a significantly higher number of heart attacks than non-smokers.

The damaged blood vessels give way sooner, when shriveled by nicotine. Until the early

1900’s tobacco was usually chewed, inhaled as snuff, or smoked in cigars and pipes without

being inhaled. In other words, nicotine was being absorbed into the bloodstream through the

membranes of the mouth, nose, and bronchial passages, not through the lungs. The invention

of cigarette paper and automatic rolling machinery changed all that, and soon tobacco users

were puffing away on white wrapped sticks of tobacco. This introduced new toxins deep into

the body, known collectively as "tar". These toxins are byproducts of the combustion of paper,

tobacco, and chemicals in tobacco processing. The most lethal byproduct inhaled from

burning tobacco is benzopyrene; a carcinogenic chemical also emitted by automobile exhaust

pipes and factory smokestacks. In numerous tests, benzopyrene has been applied to the

respiratory tracts of laboratory animals, and has usually resulted in malignant tumors. The

leading killer among all forms of cancers, lung cancer currently claims about 140,000 victims

annually. The American Cancer Society estimates that 87% of lung cancer deaths could be

avoided if only people would stop smoking. Lung cancer isn’t the only concern. The chemical

irritants absorbed into the blood are excreted almost unchanged in the urine, and they can lead

to the development of cancer of the kidneys, prostate glands, and bladder. The last 10 years

have seen a shift inner awareness of the dangers of smoking. While we have known for three

decades that smoking is a leading cause of cancer death, we have finally acknowledged that

second hand smoke can cause the same problems as firsthand smoke. In early 1993, in fact,

the EPA classified second hand smoke a Class A carcinogen. That label means Environmental

Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is every bit as potent as arsenic, asbestos, and radon in its ability to

cause cancer. In 1988, following years of study, the Surgeon General stated that sidetream

smoke could be deadly for non-smokers. In addition to causing respiratory problems, ETS is

responsible for 3,000 to 5,000 lung cancer deaths a year in non-smokers, as well as 35,000 to

40,000 deaths from heart disease. It is easy to see why tobacco smoke is so deadly. It contains

more than 4,000 chemicals and at least 45 of its ingredients are known or suspected to be

cancer causing. But what is truly alarming is that secondhand smoke contains greater

concentrations of certain carcinogens than primary smoke. It also contains greater amounts of

nicotine and tar, both strong and addictive toxins. The first interview I had conducted was with

my grandmother who happily admits she has never been a smoker or tobacco user. Even

though she has never used tobacco, she has firsthand experiences of what tobacco can do to a

person and their family. The first story she told me was about how her husband and my

grandfather, needed to have triple by-pass surgery. The surgery was performed in the spring of

1991 and was successful; my grandfather still lives today. The doctor had told him that his

smoking over the last 40 years was one of the biggest factors that made him need the surgery.

My grandfather has since quit, but will be on medication for the rest of his life. The second

story my grandmother had told me did not have such a happy ending. Her sister was only 52

years old when she was diagnosed with emphysema. The contributing factors were obvious, it

was tobacco use. She sat and told me the stories of how she would sit by her sister’s side

feeling helpless because they were told that nothing could be done. My grandmother said of

how her sister wished she knew the dangers of smoking when she was younger; because by the

time she had found out she had no desire to quit because she had been smoking for so long.

After a period of time the emphysema finally killed my aunt and left her husband, two children

and many family members behind. These were two stories with different endings that my

grandmother will never forget. Stories like these should make society realize that tobacco is

not a personal problem, it is a global problem. Everyone is affected by tobacco smoke, and it

is time we all should get the proper education to learn about the dangers of cigarette smoke.

More Americans are deciding to quit smoking due to its negative effects on their health, so the

tobacco companies must find new ways to market their products. Studies show that most

smokers start smoking as teens (80% before the age of 18) and if they don’t start then, they will

probably never smoke. The tobacco companies know this, so they target these children

through advertisements. They also target the women more because women are more likely to

be influenced than men are. The third most targeted population is the minority group.

Currently in the United States the minorities’ make-up 25% of our population, this is a lot of

people with a lot of money to spend on tobacco products. Tobacco companies spend $700,000

an hour trying to convince people smoking is fun and exciting. These companies need to

recruit 5,000 new smokers each day, because 1,000 smokers will die and another 4,000

smokers quit each day. There are a lot of different methods that these advertisements

companies use: such as using good looking models to make smoking look fun and exciting.

They put ads in magazines and on billboards, they sponsor car races, rodeos, and sporting

events to make smoking look like winners. They use cartoon characters so young people will

recognize their brands and they also try to use "free stuff" coupons so you buy more cigarettes.

With all this advertisement how can we prevent our children from smoking? The Federal

Government along with state and local government have started their war with these tobacco

companies. They are trying to educate students on the dangers of smoking, through health

educators and programs such as D.A.R.E. They have also used the same advertising techniques

as tobacco companies, with their own anti-smoking campaign. Except they make smoking

look terrible and show that to be a real winner you don’t need to smoke. What about all these

people who are currently addicted and want to quit smoking, what are we to do as health

professionals? Numbers show there is a high percentage of American adults that want to quit

smoking but just can’t. Like other addictive behaviors, tobacco use is difficult to stop and

maintain, particularly if acting alone. The best success in quitting has been noted with

comprehensive programs that may combine various strategies including education, peer

support, behavior recognition, behavior modification methods, recognition of potential relapse

situations, and strategies for confronting such situations. Medications that are nicotine

substitutes, such as transdermal nicotine or nicotine chewing gum may be used but their

effectiveness ranges between 25%-40%. There are also alternative methods such as hypnosis,

acupuncture, or even cold turkey. Anyone of these methods can work with the proper support

and total mindset upon quitting. The benefits of quitting are almost instant. Within 20 minutes

blood pressure and pulse rate drop, body temperature of extremities increase to normal. Within

8 hours, risk of sudden heart attack decreases. After 48 hours nerve endings begin to

regenerate and sense of smell and taste begin to return to normal. Between 2 weeks and 3

months of quitting, circulation improves and walking becomes easier. Lung function increases

up to 30%. These benefits will increase the longer the person has not smoked. Given all the

dangers of cigarette smoking it is not surprising that many states have taken legal action to

protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke. More than 40 states and at least 480

communities have passed legislation to restrict smoking in public places. A majority of

companies now have smoking policies that restrict or ban smoking in the workplace. We

spend some 22 billion a year on medical care related to smoking, and lost productivity exceeds

another 43 billion a year. As of 1986 smokeless tobacco commercials were banned from TV

and radio. As of 1987 smokeless tobacco companies were required to have warning labels on

them. The second interview I had conducted was with the Chief of City 1 Tobacco Control

Office, person 1. He told me about all the consequences and adverse effects that tobacco will

produce, but more importantly we talked about what this city is doing to stop tobacco use

among the people who live here. The city’s first requirement is that all tobacco sellers need to

have a tobacco permit, this allows the city to monitor the tobacco in the city. This also allows

the tobacco control office to set up a database for compliance checks. These compliance

checks will test stores for sale to minors and for signage in the stores. They have also created a

new ordinance that will ban smoking in all restaurants, effective July 1, . They also work in

conjunction with the D.A.R.E. program to educate children on the dangers of tobacco. These

programs and ordinances work together to slow down tobacco use in this city. I have stated

facts and figures on tobacco and the society it affects. This is a problem that people on all

levels need to address. The government needs to put an end to tobacco companies. Cities and

states need to ban smoking in all public places to keep those who do not smoke healthy. Most

importantly parents and all adults need to show children that smoking is dangerous, by not

smoking ourselves. By everyone doing a little something to help this alleviate problem we can

make our environment a much healthier place to live. There are billions of dollars invested in

health care cessation programs, education, and prevention. Tobacco affects everyone; even if

you do not smoke, all taxpayers are being affected and do not even realize it. People are dying

everyday from a drug that if not so socially and financially acceptable would be banned by

now. Everyone has a reason to help in this cause whether it is global warming, pollution,

taxes, or pain and suffering. Our society has been kept in the dark to long, and it is time we all

fight to take back what is ours "HEALTH".

alcohol abuse

Alcohol Abuse Alcohol is liquid distilled product of fermented fruits, grains and

vegetables used as solvent, antiseptic and sedative moderate potential for abuse. Possible

effects are intoxication, sensory alteration, and/or anxiety reduction. Symptoms of overdose

staggering, odor of alcohol on breath, loss of coordination, slurred speech, dilated pupils, fetal

alcohol syndrome (in babies), and/or nerve and liver damage. Withdrawal Syndrome is first

sweating, tremors, then altered perception, followed by psychosis, fear, and finally auditory

hallucinations. Indications of possible mis-use are confusion, disorientation, loss of motor

nerve control, convulsions, shock, shallow respiration, involuntary defecation, drowsiness,

respiratory depression and possible death. Alcohol is also known as: Booze, Juice, Brew, Vino,

Sauce. You probably know why alcohol is abused some reasons are relaxation, sociability, and

cheap high. But did you know that alcohol is a depressant that decreases the responses of the

central nervous system. Excessive drinking can cause liver damage and psychotic behavior. As

little as two beers or drinks can impair coordination and thinking. Alcohol is often used by

substance abusers to enhance the effects of other drugs. Alcohol continues to be the most

frequently abused substance among young adults. HERE ARE SOME STRAIGHT FACTS

ABOUT ALCOHOL…. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of problem drinking that results in health

consequences, social, problems, or both. However, alcohol dependence, or alcoholism, refers

to a disease that is characterized by abnormal alcohol-seeking behavior that leads to impaired

control over drinking. Short-term effects of alcohol use include: -Distorted vision, hearing, and

coordination -Altered perceptions and emotions -Impaired judgment -Bad breath; hangovers

Long-term effects of heavy alcohol use include: -Loss of appetite -Vitamin deficiencies

-Stomach ailments -Skin problems -Sexual impotence -Liver damage -Heart and central

nervous system damage -Memory loss Here are some quick clues to know if I, or someone

close, has a drinking problem: -Inability to control drinking–it seems that regardless of what

you decide beforehand, you frequently wind up drunk -Using alcohol to escape problems -A

change in personality–turning from Dr. Jekyl to Mr. Hyde -A high tolerance level–drinking

just about everybody under the table -Blackouts–sometimes not remembering what happened

while drinking -Problems at work or in school as a result of drinking -Concern shown by

family and friends about drinking If you have a drinking problem, or if you suspect you have a

drinking problem, there are many others out there like you, and there is help available. You

could talk to school counselor, a friend, or a parent. Excessive alcohol consumption causes

more than 100,000 deaths annually in the United States, and although the number shows little

sign of declining, the rate per 100,000 population has trended down since the early 1980s.

Accidents, mostly due to drunken driving, accounted for 24 percent of these deaths in 1992.

Alcohol-related homicide and suicide accounted for 11 and 8 percent respectively. Certain

types of cancer that are partly attributable to alcohol, such as those of the esophagus, larynx,

and oral cavity, contributed another 17 percent. About 9 percent is due to alcohol-related

stroke. One of the most important contributors to alcohol-related deaths is a group of 12

ailments wholly caused by alcohol, among which alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver and alcohol

dependence syndrome are the most important. These 12 ailments together accounted for 18

percent of the total alcohol-related deaths in 1992. Mortality due to the 12 causes rises steeply

into late middle age range and then declines markedly, with those 85 and over being at less

than one-sixth the risk of 55 to 64-year olds. The most reliable data are for the 12 conditions

wholly attributable to alcohol. The map shows these data for all people 35 and over. The

geographical distribution for men and women follows much the same pattern, although men

are three times as likely to die of one of the 12 alcohol-induced ailments. The geographical

distribution for whites and blacks follows roughly the same pattern but the rates for blacks are

two and half times higher. In the late nineteenth century blacks, who were then far more

abstemious than whites, were strong supporters of the temperance movement, but the

movement in the South was taken over by whites bent on disenfranchising black people by any

means possible, such as propagating lurid tales of drink-crazed black men raping white

women. Consequently, blacks became less involved in the temperance movement, a trend that

accelerated early in the twentieth century with the great migration of blacks to the North,

where liquor was freely available even during Prohibition. The geographical pattern of

mortality from the 12 conditions wholly caused by alcohol is partly explained by the average

alcohol consumption among those who drink, which tends to be higher in the Southeast certain

areas of the West and than elsewhere. In New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and in many counties

in the Plains and Mountain states, the rates are high, in part, because of heavy drinking among

Native Americans. Another possible contributor to high rates in the West is lower family and

community support than elsewhere, as suggested by high divorce and suicide rates, low church

membership, and the large number of migrants from other regions. In the South Atlantic states,

black males contribute heavily to the high mortality rates, although white rates there are above

average. One unexplained anomaly is the comparatively low rates in the area stretching from

Kentucky through Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, to Louisiana, all states with high alcohol

consumption among those who drink. There were at least four cycles of high alcohol

consumption in the last 150 years with peaks in the 1840s, in the 1860s, the first decade of the

twentieth century, and again in the 1970-1981 period. Each of these peaks was probably

accompanied by an increase in alcohol-related deaths, as suggested by the course of liver

cirrhosis mortality, which, since the early twentieth century, has followed more-or-less the

same trend as consumption of beverages alcohol. America is now in a phase of declining

alcohol consumption, so one would expect that the rate of alcohol-related deaths would

continue to decline. Among westernized countries, America in the early 1990s was somewhat

below average in both alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis mortality. If you have been

arrested for DWI, you may be court ordered to go to counseling for alcohol abuse. Does that

mean that you’re an alcoholic? Sometimes people get the idea that alcohol abuse and

alcoholism are the same thing. They are not. The National Council on Alcoholism says,

"Alcohol Abuse : a problem to solve. Alcoholism: a disease to conquer." In case you have

wondered what the difference is, here’s some help: Alcohol Abuse is the misuse of the

substance, alcohol. You know you are abusing a substance when: -You continue to use it, even

though you’re having social or interpersonal problems because of your use. -You still use it

even though it’s causing you physical problems. -Using it the way you do is causing you legal

problems. -You don’t live up to major responsibilities on the job or in your family. Alcoholism

refers to being addicted, or dependent on alcohol. You may be dependent on a substance if any

three of the following are true: -You must use larger and larger amounts of it to get high. -You

have withdrawal when you try to stop or cut down. -You use it much more and for longer

times than you really want to. -You can’t seem to cut back and feel a strong need or craving for

it. -You spend a lot of your time just getting the substance. -You’d rather use than work or be

with friends and family. -You keep using, no matter what. The National Council on Alcohol

Abuse and Alcoholism estimates, based on research, that a Blood Alcohol Concentration

(BAC) between .02 and .04 makes your chances of being in a single-vehicle fatal crash 1.4

times higher than for someone who has not had a drink. If your BAC is between .05 and .09,

you are 11.1 times more likely to be in a fatal single vehicle crash, and 48 times more likely at

a BAC between .10 and .14. If you’ve got a BAC of .15, your risk of being in a single-vehicle

fatal crash is estimated to be 380 times higher than a non-drinker’s. How much do you have to

drink to get a BAC that high? A 160 pound man will have a BAC of about .04, 1 hour after

consuming two 12-ounce beers on an empty stomach. Your BAC will depend on how much

you weigh, how much you drink, amount of time since your last drink and your gender.

Women metabolize alcohol differently from men, causing women to reach higher BAC’s at the

same doses. Recent research is showing that true substance dependence may be caused, in

part, by brain chemistry deficiences. That is one reason that substance dependence is

considered a disease. And, as with other diseases, there is the possibility of taking medicine to

get better. There is now promising evidence that taking medicine can correct some of the

deficiences that may cause drug dependence. It is beginning to look like a combination of the

right medicine along with talking therapy and behavior therapy, will help us treat this disease

as we have never before been able to. One drug is Naltrexone, sometimes known as ReVia.

Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Desipramine (Norpramin) have also shown promise. Alcohol abuse is

also a serious medical and social problem, but is not the same as alcoholism. Alcohol abuse is

the intentional overuse of alcohol, i.e., to the point of drunkenness. This includes occasional

and celebratory over-drinking. Not all people who abuse alcohol become alcoholics, but

alcohol abuse by itself can have serious medical effects. Overuse of alcohol is considered to

be: -more than 3-4 drinks per occasion for women -more than 4-5 drinks per occasion for men.

One drink equals one (12-ounce) bottle of beer or winecooler, one (5-ounce) glass of wine, or

one and a half ounces of liquor. Alcohol, probably the oldest drug known, has been used at

least since the earliest societies for which records exist. Of the numerous types of alcohol,

ethyl alcohol is the type consumed in drinking. In its pure form it is a clear substance with

little odor. People drink alcohol in three main kinds of beverages: BEERS, which are made

from grain through brewing and fermentation and contain from 3% to 8% alcohol; WINES,

which are fermented from fruits such as grapes and contain from 8% to 12% alcohol naturally,

and up to 21% when fortified by adding alcohol; and distilled beverages (spirits) such as

WHISKEY, GIN, and VODKA, which on the average contain from 40% to 50% alcohol.

Drinkers may become addicted to any of these beverages. Physical Effects of Alcohol The

effects of alcohol on the human body depend on the amount of alcohol in the blood

(blood-alcohol concentration). This varies with the rate of consumption and with the rate at

which the drinker’s physical system absorbs and metabolizes alcohol. The higher the alcohol

content of the beverage consumed, the more alcohol will enter the bloodstream. The amount

and type of food in the stomach also affect the absorption rate. Drinking when the stomach is

filled is less intoxicating than when it is empty; the foods in the stomach, which contain fat

and protein, delay alcohol absorption. Body weight is also a factor; the heavier the person, the

slower the absorption of alcohol. After alcohol passes through the stomach, it is rapidly

absorbed through the walls of the intestines into the bloodstream and carried to the various

organ systems of the body, where it is metabolized. Although small amounts of alcohol are

processed by the kidneys and secreted in the urine, and other small amounts are processed

through the lungs and exhaled in the breath, most of the alcohol is metabolized by the liver. As

the alcohol is metabolized, it gives off heat. The body metabolizes alcohol at about the rate of

three-fourths of an ounce to one ounce of whiskey an hour. Technically it is possible to drink

at the same rate as the alcohol is being oxidized out of the body. Most people, however, drink

faster than this, and so the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream keeps rising. Alcohol

begins to impair the brain’s ability to function when the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC)

reaches 0.05%, that is, 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 cubic centimeters of blood. Most state

traffic laws in the United States presume that a driver with a BAC of 0.10% is intoxicated.

With a concentration of 0.20% (a level obtained from drinking about 10 ounces of whiskey), a

person has difficulty controlling the emotions and may cry or laugh extensively. The person

will experience a great deal of difficulty in attempting to walk and will want to lie down.

When the blood-alcohol content reaches about 0.30%, which can be attained when a person

rapidly drinks about a pint of whiskey, the drinker will have trouble comprehending and may

become unconscious. At levels from 0.35% to 0.50%, the brain centers that control breathing

and heart action are affected; concentrations above 0.50% may cause death, although a person

generally becomes unconscious before absorbing a lethal dosage. Moderate or temperate use

of alcohol is not harmful, but excessive or heavy drinking is associated with alcoholism and

numerous other health problems. The effects of excessive drinking on major organ systems of

the human body are cumulative and become evident after heavy, continuous drinking or after

intermittent drinking over a period of time that may range from 5 to 30 years. The parts of the

body most affected by heavy drinking are the digestive and nervous systems. Digestive-system

disorders that may be related to heavy drinking include cancer of the mouth, throat, and

esophagus; gastritis; ulcers; cirrhosis of the liver; and inflammation of the pancreas. Disorders

of the nervous system can include neuritis, lapse of memory (blackouts), hallucinations, and

extreme tremor as found in delirium tremens. Delirium tremens ("the DTs") may occur when a

person stops drinking after a period of heavy, continuous imbibing. Permanent damage to the

brain and central nervous system may also result, including Korsakoff psychosis and

Wernicke’s disease. Recent evidence indicates that pregnant women who drink heavily may

give birth to infants with the FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME, which is characterized by face

and body abnormalities and, in some cases, impaired intellectual facilities. Additionally, the

combination of alcohol and drugs, such as commonly used sleeping pills, tranquilizers,

antibiotics, and aspirin, can be fatal, even when both are taken in nonlethal doses. Many

studies have been made of attitudes toward drinking in different societies. Every culture has its

own general ethos or sense of decorum about the use and role of alcoholic beverages within its

social structure. In some cultures drinking is either forbidden or frowned upon. The Koran

contains prohibitions against drinking, and Muslims are forbidden to sell or serve alcoholic

beverages. Hindus take a negative view of the use of alcohol; this is reflected in the

constitution of India, which requires every state to work toward the prohibition of alcohol

except for medicinal purposes. Abstinence from alcohol has also been the goal of temperance

movements in Europe and the United States. Some Christian religious groups strongly urge

abstinence, including the Christian Scientists, Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists,

Pentecostalists, and some Baptists and Methodists. In some ambivalent cultures, such as the

United States and Ireland, the values of those who believe in abstinence conflict with the

values of those who regard moderate drinking as a way of being hospitable and sociable. This

accounts for the plethora of laws and regulations that restrict the buying of alcoholic

beverages. Some psychologists say that this ambivalence in the culture makes it harder for

some people to develop a stable attitude toward drinking. Some cultures have a permissive

attitude toward drinking, including those of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Japan, and Israel. The

proportion of Jews and Italians who use alcohol is high, but the rates of alcoholism among

them are lower than in Irish and Scandinavian groups. Some cultures may be said to look too

favorably upon drinking, as do the French. In France the heavy consumption of alcohol has

been related to the fact that many people are engaged in viticulture and in the production and

distribution of alcoholic beverages. Various surveys indicate that subgroups within a society or

culture do not all have the same attitudes toward alcoholic beverages or the same drinking

patterns. Drinking behavior differs significantly among groups of different age, sex, social

class, racial status, ethnic background, occupational status, religious affiliation, and regional

location.

Marijuana Abuse

By: Lissa

"Marijuana is the second most popular drug after alcohol in the country today. So many people

smoke marijuana that the numbers alone seem to legitimize and condone its presence in

people’s lives. Yet, even in moderation marijuana is not ’safe.’ Somehow this information had

not filtered down to people who think they are smoking a fairly innocuous drug. Our society

perpetuates the myths about pot being a fun, harmless, recreational drug. These myths feed

into people’s denial of marijuana’s problems" (Baum 6). However, the abuse of marijuana is a

problem. It is not only a personal problem, but also more importantly a social problem.

Throughout history marijuana has been used to serve various purposes in many different

cultures. The purposes have changed over time to fit in with the current lifestyles. The

cultivation of the marijuana plant in the United States began as far back as the Jamestown

settlers around the year 1611. At that time the main focus was on survival rather than for

psychoactive purposes. Medicinal uses of marijuana eventually changed to enjoyment

manipulation. Beginning in the 1960s marijuana use saw a reemergence with the rebellious

youth, and the "hippie movement." This evolved into increased use among the older

population as well. This trend continues to this day. Marijuana use can be termed abuse.

Today the debate over marijuana is a major controversy that affects our society as a whole.

During the 60’s it was easy to depict marijuana as a beneficial and completely harmless

substance because there was not enough scientific research done during this time (Grolier

Wellness Encyclopedia). Today we know that the levels of THC, the psychoactive component

of marijuana called tetrahydrocannabinol, in marijuana are four to ten times more than they

were in the 60s. We also know that THC had shown negative affects in the learning process.

It’s destructive to the learning performance, memory, and attention span. It has insidious side

effects including lung damage and cancer risks. It also impairs ability to work, drive, and

make clear decisions, not to mention, the lack of motivation, depression, and paranoia. In

addition, "daily marijuana use has been associated with a doubling of the risk for psychosis.

The most common type was a brief acute organic reaction characterized by mental dulling,

distortion of time, dreamlike euphoria progressing to fragmenting thoughts, and

hallucinations. More potent marijuana can cause even more severe reactions" (Baum 16). This

means marijuana has tremendous costs on those who use it as well as society. The effects of

marijuana abuse on an individual can be substantial, but the costs to society are innumerable.

The effects can be felt in the rising of health care to increased insurance premiums. As the

number of marijuana users increase, the number seeking medical attention also increases. In

addition, being treated for various illnesses caused by marijuana abuse, results in missed days

at work. Productivity levels fall not only because of absenteeism, but also as a result of

impaired abilities. Workers under the influence of marijuana suffer from cognitive disorders

that hampers their productivity. Further, as a social problem, marijuana costs society billions

of tax dollars every year in an effort to obliterate drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse

(NIDA) estimates that drug abuse costs the United States as much as $246 billion each year

(Torr 12). Functionalist theorists would see marijuana abuse as a social problem in that it

causes a disturbance in the equilibrium of society. Functionalist theory states that the many

institutions (government, education, religion, etc.) of society must be integrated in order to

operate effectively and proficiently. In essence, if members of society were all under the

influence of marijuana, the functions of the structures could not be carried out. If one of the

structures is poorly integrated, it becomes dysfunctional to society. In terms of marijuana

abuse, many institutions of society would be dysfunctional if its members were marijuana

users. For instance, family would be dysfunctional if parents were not able to raise future

productive members of society. This would be true if either the parents or child were

marijuana abusers. Likewise, the same outcome could be seen in the other structures of society

such as members of the educational system, or government institutions, and production in the

workplace. Functionalist theorists would view marijuana abuse as a potentially far-reaching

social problem given that every structure would be involved. Conflict theorists would consider

marijuana abuse as a social problem because of the power struggle involving law enforcement

and drug abusers. "This perspective focuses on the creation of rules, especially criminal

law"(Herman 83). Specifically, by making the commodity of marijuana an illegal substance it

creates an atmosphere of control. Thus, when members of society are forced to commit illegal

acts it allows law enforcement agencies to wield power and force against them. This in turn

creates conflict. Additionally a power struggle ensues between people who have and control

the supply of marijuana and people who want it. This is a classic example of "the haves"

versus "the have-nots," of the powerful versus the powerless. Conflict theory seems to fit best

in examining the issue of marijuana abuse. Conflict theory addresses the many issues

surrounding marijuana use. For example, due to the fact that the powerful control the

marijuana industry there is a disparity in the criminal prosecution of certain classes, races, and

socioeconomic groups. These less powerful groups are victims of discrimination. While the

use of marijuana definitely inhibits an individual’s life, the abuse of power surrounding

marijuana, is far more harmful to society. Conflict theory addresses this on a macro level.

Functionalist theory examines the issue from the standpoint that society as a whole feels the

same about the problem. It assumes everyone’s values are identical. Therefore, marijuana

abuse as a social problem is better examined from the conflict perspective because it doesn’t

take peoples values into consideration. Conflict theorists would most likely solve the problem

of marijuana abuse by suggesting legalization. When considering the underlying current of a

major power struggle between the groups who control the drug supply and the groups who are

in need of the drugs, legalizing marijuana would virtually eliminate this. Control of this illegal

substance would no longer be in the hands of the huge drug cartels, but would be readily

available to anyone. Additionally, the power struggle between law enforcement agencies and

drug users would no longer exist either. All the laws and prisons used against groups of lesser

power would be useless. This move would go a long way towards removing the disparity

between races, classes, and socioeconomic groups now in prison for drug offenses. On the

other hand functionalist theorists would opt for a more conventional solution. They would lean

towards eliminating marijuana usage. Their approach would include drug education in the

schools and treatment facilities, thereby decreasing the drug demand. This would cover all the

levels of society. Functionalists perspective focuses on micro, middle, and macro levels in

society, thus a full-scale war on drugs would be their ideal solution.

Bibliography

45d

Baum, Joanne, PH.D. It?s Time to Know. Minneapolis: Johnson Institute, 1996

Grolier Electronic Encylopedia. Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1995. Herman, Nancy J.

Deviance. Dix Hills, NY: General Hall, Inc., 1995. Torr, James D., ed. Drug Abuse: Opposing

Veiwpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999.