health information
What does the prevalence of drug abuse say about our society? What would someone from the past conclude?
Drug abuse is rampant. It has destroyed millions of lives. Families are torn apart, children neglected; not to mention the financial cost to society. Some people say it is because of poverty, but wealthy people abuse drugs too. Is the underlying cause the acceptance of hedonism and rejection of societal norms?
25 minutes ago
-
-
#2 written by JJ 2 years ago
Actually, drug use (including alcohol) has declined from earlier highs (no pun intended). Our knowledge of the drugs and their effects, combined with educational campaigns and rehabilitation clinics has helped to create awareness, which is the most effective way to reduce substance abuse.
Even in the past few decades, drug use has declined. Take a look at these charts: in many cases, usage is 50% of what it was in 1979. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/druguse/
I should add that, in order to credit “acceptance of hedonism and rejection of societal norms” for causing drug use, you would first have to prove that hedonism has become more acceptable and that there is a widespread (or at least statistically significant) rejection of social norms. You’d also have to define social norms. In the early part of the 20th century, using cocaine was not considered abnormal. It was sold at the local drugstore as medicine (and as an ingredient in Coca Cola). Today’s lack of acceptance of cocaine use is in itself a rejection of previous social norms.
People have a variety of reasons for using drugs. I saw a survey recently with some odd results, most male drug-users who responded said they did it to have fun. Female drug-users on the other hand, were self-medicating. Not terribly relevant, but I thought it was interesting. Could prove very useful in educational campaigns.
For whatever reasons, people have always used drugs. We can’t pin down one reason for humanity’s love of narcotics, but we do know it’s always been there and that the most effective method for decreasing usage is simply education.
-
#7 written by Greg 2 years ago
The shorter the leash, the faster the dog runs when its free.
The under lying cause is the tightening of conservative social social norms. Kids in European countries don’t binge drink, because drinking is normal.
Part of the reason for the drug epidemic is the stigma. Once you are hooked, you are shunned by society and backed into a corner in an unending downward spiral. if people were more accepting and treated the problem (with better education than “Just Say No”) it wouldn’t be as wide spread.
- Comment Feed for this Post
You’re looking at it from a sociological point of view. Perhaps when you stand back and look at it all you can come up with a reason like you have, but that just doesn’t work in individual situations. There are many reasons why people get into and become addicted to drugs. It can be anything from peer pressure, to lack of self-worth, to experimenting out of curiosity, to making money that isn’t taxed, to escape from emotional pain, to just desiring to feel really good temporarily. Every person is affected in different ways by the drug epidemic. The 21st century is now upon us and life has changed dramatically over the course of the past one hundred years. I think we are still trying to catch up with the advancements we have made as people from a moral stand point. The availability and quantity of controlled substances is tremendous and many in this fallen world lack the wisdom and guidance to avoid the traps of addiction. Denial and a desire for acceptance override conventional wisdom and people get stuck. Hopefully we can learn from our mistakes and move on, but I doubt that everyone will.