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Drug Abuse Around the World (by Michael Chong)

The history of drug abuse among people dates back to the earliest times when drugs were first administered, which includes the various mixtures of herbs and potions given to cure the sick. Even during those eras, people would demand for more of something that made them feel better. Rather than listening to the advice of a medical expert, the notion that ‘abundance is always better’ existed, and such is the case in the 20th century, with the only difference being the definition of the term ‘drug.’

Nowadays, there is an added meaning to the word, which is “a substance administered that affects the nervous system to cause a certain response in the human body.” For the purpose of this article, illicit drugs will be explored. More specifically it will focus on the drugs: tobacco, alcohol and marijuana, simply because they are the most commonly abused. Ultimately, the goal is to raise awareness of the problems of drug abuse on the individual, on a government and as a society.

It is appropriate to look at the case in Canada as a basis first before moving on to a global level. In Canada the seriousness of the problem is evident. Constant proposals on how to reform tobacco laws, marijuana decriminalization and alcohol regulation show how the population cares about these problems. The controversy is nice to see as ideas can be passed about and things can be accomplished. In its neighbouring country, the United States of America, there are many organizations that monitor drug usage, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which showed in 2003 that 24.9% of 12th graders used an illicit drug in a span of thirty days. On the global scale, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime conducted a World Report on Drugs in 2000, reporting that approximately 180 million people worldwide were abusing illicit drugs.  A list of illicit drugs included the categories: cannabinoids, depressants, anesthetics, hallucinogens, opioids, stimulants and inhalants.  Of these, specific sub-categories are marijuana, cocaine and heroin, not to mention tobacco and alcohol. 

Psychologists, sociologists, and medical personnel around the world are studying the cause of these percentages and numbers. The psychological and chemical aspect of drug abuse is perhaps the most interesting. Like a sling shot effect, the intake of drugs pulls back a chemical elastic, setting the body up for a rush. The rush, whether it is euphoria, sudden alertness, or a relaxed feeling is like the pebble thrown out of the sling.  This sudden burst of energy makes one want to keep it for a lifetime. Of course, the sling shot shrinks back into a small elastic band once the rush is gone. Like little kids seeing the fun of the flying pebble, abusers continue to pull back the sling, taking in more and more drugs. Each time, it loses elasticity and each time more strength is needed to achieve the same projection. This is the reality of drug abuse.

In biological terms, the body is like a scale. The abuser causes tolerance for the drug resulting in a permanent tipping of the scale. The longer this is left to stay, the lower the chances for a person to recover. In addition, each intake increases the length of the withdrawal symptoms directly opposite the effects of the drug. Eventually the slingshot is pulled one last time, snaps, and one finds themselves in the emergency room of a hospital, if lucky.

As this publication speaks out on youth and politics, it is reasonable to address some of the laws associated with drugs. Illicit drugs, as the name suggests, are illegal. However there are other policies that create a sort of gap in legislature. For example, the Tobacco (Access) Regulations state that vendors cannot sell or give tobacco to persons under 18 years of age. The irony is that anyone is allowed to smoke and only the act of selling cigarettes to minors is illegal.  The means of obtaining cigarettes is basically asking a friend over 18 to buy some. Less controversial are alcohol policies where persons under 19 cannot drink or purchase the substance. Definitely the law that causes the most trouble today deals with marijuana. Besides being illegal, the law states that a person can be charged with a criminal offence for possession on top of a fine.  Movements are being put forth to amend this act and decriminalize marijuana. (To avoid confusion, marijuana will still be illegal; decriminalization only means that a person cannot be imprisoned for possession.)

Tobacco is the most popular drug on the market. For over a century, people have smoked this plant without knowing the serious side effects and potentially deadly nature. However, despite the warnings from television advertisements, parents, teachers and society in general, smoking does not stop. In a study conducted in 1997, 28.6% of Canadians 15 years or older smoked, while one in six deaths are caused by it. In the United States 11.3% of 12th graders smoke more than half a pack a day. As much as people say it is harmless to have one cigarette, one is enough to start an addiction. When the nicotine flows into the lungs and diffuses into the bloodstream, the brain is instantly stimulated and the sling shot effect begins.  Tragically, it is not only the smoker that suffers: the people around them suffer even more due to the effects of second hand smoke. 

Alcohol is available for sale, appearing everywhere from restaurants to banquet halls, and has found its way into clubs and prom after-parties. For many, alcohol is not considered a drug because it is enjoyed by the majority and it is legal to those over the minimum age. Yet the acts that may follow from drinking are illegal and possess significant issues in health and crime.   Normally it is not seen as something that is bad for one’s health, but scientists have studied the effects of red wine on humans and a glass a day is beneficial to the body. When talking about drug abuse, any ‘too much’ is bad. Consider the number of deaths related to alcohol consumption.  In 1995, almost 7000 died because of over consumption and even more were killed due to impaired driving. In the quantity of fatally injured drivers, 35% were over the 0.08% blood alcohol concentration limit (1996). Other related consequences of alcohol abuse are violence, mischief and vandalism. 

Lastly, marijuana is the most used abused illicit drug in the world with 144.1 million users according to the UN. This translates to 3.4% of the world population who are 15 years or older. This, however, is only the number of abusers making the number of actual users much higher. Many users are either unaware of the side effects or choose to ignore them. The psychoactive ingredient in it is tetrahydrocannibinol, or THC, and as much as people say there are no effects, studies have revealed otherwise. The short-term effects begin with a sense of euphoria in some users while a sense of relaxation in others. The aftermath is not so nice. Mid-term effects consist of forgetfulness, loss of concentration, impaired balance and poor coordination. In the long run, marijuana smoking is known to cause lung disease and respiratory damage.

When looking at drug abuse there are many questions still unanswered, including the real causes of people’s retreating to the effects thereof. We know the chemical and psychological reasons for drug abuse, but the uniqueness of each individual is something that makes perspectives very different. One thing that cannot be ignored is the implication of drugs on our society. The crime rates in Canada are constantly affected by drugs and suggest that the higher drug use, the higher the crime rate. The number of hospitalizations in Canada due to drugs and the number of drug-related deaths is also increasing. Certainly there needs to be reform.

Sources

CAMH - Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. 19 May 2004. 11 June 2004. <http://www.camh.net/index.html>. 

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.  June 2004. 11 June 2004. <http://www.ccsa.ca/index.asp>. 

Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy. 9 March 1999. 11 June 2004. <http://www.cfdp.ca/statcan.htm>.

Gleitman, H. et al. Psychology 6th ed. United States: W.W. Norton and Company Inc., 2004. 

“Laws.” Department of Justice Canada. 20 April 2004. 11 June 2004. <http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/index.html>.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. 1 June 2004. 11 June 2004. <http://www.nida.nih.gov/>.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 11 June 2004. <http://www.samhsa.gov/index.aspx>.

“Survey of drinking and drug use in teens shows early experimentation.” Medline Plus. 18 May 2004.  11 June 2004. <http://medlineplus.gov/>.

“World Drug Report.” United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2004. 11 June 2004. <http://www.unodc.org/unodc/world_drug_report.html>.

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