Drug Addiction
Generally, drug addiction falls into two categories known as illegal drugs and prescription drugs. Many people believe that illegal drugs are the most common, but in fact, both are just as dangerous and destructive. In this article, however, we will discuss the illegal variety and then devote another article to prescription drug addiction. Although the problem has been recognized for a long time, there is still an ever-growing trend of drug use. And, while many in the past considered the use to be "recreational" for adults, today, very young children are gravitating to this insidious activity.
What most people do not understand about drug addiction is that it is not simply a case of recognizing the problem and quitting. The drugs create an atmosphere of compulsiveness so severe that when individuals try to stop, they actually can do just as much harm to themselves as taking the drugs. Medical assistance is required in most instances. The National Institute on Drug Abuse considers drug addiction to be a disease of the brain. Experts do concede that the individual started the cycle by voluntarily taking drugs in the first place, but they have determined that the brain undergoes various changes, thereby, perpetuating the behavior. This is why drug addiction is considered a disease, and why it is usually impossible for an individual to stop without professional help.
In addition to the medical and physical effects of drugs, society as a whole suffers. Crime is often associated with drugs. The need to find the next fix controls individuals, and allows them to commit acts of violence that they might never have contemplated had they been sober. They steal from stores and pharmacies, they rob other people, and they lie to their families to obtain the drugs. They endanger the lives of their children either indirectly by neglecting them, and directly by causing physical harm. Homes and families are torn apart from the activities of users.
Furthermore, it is believed that through public education, drug and other opiates addiction can be prevented. The "Just Say No" commercials on television are examples of how the government and non-profit organizations strive to reduce the numbers of drug users. Typically, they try to appeal to children in lower grades where they are the most vulnerable and the most impressionable. Experts maintain that if children can be shown the inherent dangers of drug use that they can avoid the temptation to experiment. They also believe that if parents are aware of drug addiction symptoms, they can more readily identify odd behaviors and seek help sooner.
Finally, in addition to the toll on families, the government and other industries have a vested interest in controlling the problem. Billions of dollars are expended trying to police this type of crime, and trying to rehabilitate millions of individuals. One addict touches so many lives and so many arms of society that drug addiction really is everyone's concern. Today's drugs are not recreational in nature. Newer, more dangerous drugs are being created everyday and they are being sold like candy. In order to prevent and control the proliferation of illegal drugs, governments must work together to reduce or remove the sources.