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112 million Americans have reported using an illicit substance at some point in their lives. Out of those numbers, 15% said they have used an illicit drug within the last year (2006 National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health). That means that 16.8 million Americans have used an illicit substance in the last year. This number, which does not include alcohol abuse, is only an estimate because some people are reluctant to admit drug use due to embarrassment or fear of prosecution.
There are three main types of drugs: uppers (amphetamines), downers (depressants), and psychotics. However there are many new drugs that are stepping out of these classifications, or are a mix of more than one class. The most popular drugs in the U.S. are marijuana (pot), prescription drugs (benzos, oxycontin, morphine, codeine), cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. -
Drug use is a constant drain on the health care system. Drug addicts are at much higher risk for everything from infections and sexually transmitted diseases to cancer. Illicit substances can cause problems with just about every system and organ in the body. They also are one of the leading causes of job loss and homelessness.
In a study done by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, it was found that in six states, the state governments paid $105 million more for behavioral health care and $104 million more for medical health care for addicts than for non addicts (Journal of Psychiatric Services). - Since most drugs (outside of alcohol and tobacco) are controlled substances, law enforcement and the legal system may become involved when people abuse drugs and alcohol. 20% of the United States' prison population is incarcerated for drug related offenses (US Department of Justice). This does not include violent crimes that were related to drug use. Many law enforcement and judicial costs come from capturing, prosecuting, and jailing possession and distribution offenders, but drugs affect all aspects of crime.
- The use of traditional drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and psychotics (LSD, PCP) have decreased in recent years, but the abuse of other drugs such as marijuana and prescription medications have started to rise. Use of methamphetamine is also rising at an alarming rate among teenagers (NIDA Statistics). Since teenagers may not have access to the necessary funds to buy street drugs, many have tuned to household drugs and products. Cough medicines, household cleaners, and prescriptions have all become potential serious problems in households across America.
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As law enforcement agencies such as the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) as well as local drug task force units have begun cracking down on the drugs such as heroin and cocaine, the prices on the market have increased. This has led the way to new synthetic, and in many cases more dangerous, drugs on the market, such as methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine has become a serious problem because it can be manufactured relatively easily. Pharmaceuticals such as codeine, benodiazepines, and oxycontin have also begun to rise in popularity since they can be legally prescribed or stolen from a local pharmacy. - Alcohol is one of the most abused substances in the nation today. This is largely because it is legal to buy and consume and can be bought in mass quantities without suspicion or repercussion. Over 100,000 deaths are caused each year by over-consumption of alcohol (Substance Abuse: The Nation's Number One Health Problem, Feb. 2001). According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, underage drinking alone costs our nation 58 billion dollars every year.
Comments
DLessem said
on 17/08/2009 You should distinguish between abuse and responsible use of drugs. Even alcohol and tobacco (the two most lethal drugs) can be used responsibly.
DLessem said
on 17/08/2009 I think the Spanish Flu, the black plague and HIV were all greater epidemics than drug addiction.