Social Impact of Drug Abuse
How much does drug abuse affect our society? Find out more about its social impact.
Drug abuse has become a global problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that two hundred million people around the globe use various forms of drugs. In addition to causing health issues, drug abuse also leads to crime, poverty, unemployment, addiction, and even death.
Drug abuse poses a great danger to societies worldwide. If you want to know why drug abuse is such a serious issue, read on.
1. Crime
Illegal drugs have been known to fund criminal activities. A study done by the UN showed that the amount of money spent on illegal drugs worldwide was enough to pay for primary education for everyone in the world. Drugs contribute greatly to crime by providing a monetary incentive for criminals to commit crimes. Many people who use drugs make poor choices when dealing with money, and they tend to spend their money poorly. People who use drugs often sell their goods at lower prices, making them attractive to those doing criminal activity. In addition, many illegal drugs are smuggled around the world. Smuggling drugs provides a financial income to those involved in the business, and they may even use violence to protect their smuggling routes.
2. Health problems
Drug abuse is associated with many different health issues. Smoking marijuana alone increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Marijuana is also known to cause heart attacks. Other substances, such as alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc., increase the chances of causing heart disease and other medical issues.
3. Mental instability
Many people addicted to drugs suffer from mental illness. Individuals who abuse drugs often become depressed and experience mood swings. As the person begins to withdraw from the substance, he or she may begin to feel suicidal. Other symptoms of addiction include anxiety and paranoia. These individuals are likely to act impulsively, unable to think clearly about situations. Drug abuse can lead to severe self-destructive behavior.
4. Family problems
Family members of users are affected by the side effects of drugs. Children exposed to drugs before birth can develop withdrawal symptoms if taken away from a parent's breast milk. Parents themselves may begin to experience depression after being confronted with the reality of their child becoming addicted. Families of abused children are also likely to experience family conflicts.
5. Loss of job opportunities
Individuals who abuse drugs typically lose their jobs and are fired from their positions. Even if they do not lose their jobs, employers view drug abusers unfavorably. As a result, they may be denied employment interviews and rejected when applying for a position. Employers may fire employees who test positive for drugs.
6. Financial loss
People who abuse drugs often incur huge costs. They may need to buy expensive equipment (e.g. bongs), pay for treatment centers, etc. The cost of incarceration and rehabilitation facilities can be extremely high. Addicts may also end up spending a lot of time in police stations, hospitals, and courtrooms due to arrests and legal complications.
7. Social isolation
When someone starts abusing drugs, his or her friends begin to notice changes. Friends start avoiding certain groups of people, and they may stop inviting the individual to parties, events, and celebrations. Narcotics create a powerful euphoria that makes people feel good about themselves. When a friend sees the individual smoking drugs, he or she may assume that the person is having fun and wants to be around others. However, once the user becomes dependent on the drug, the euphoria ends, and the individual experiences extreme physical and emotional pain. He or she loses interest in the things that previously gave him or her pleasure. Friends may become upset with the change in personality and decide to no longer associate with the addict.
