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Drug of Abuse

Drug Abuse can be explained as a patterned usage of drugs where a drug consumer consumes a substance in quantities or via methods considered harmful to not only him or her, but also to other people. Drug of abuse means one of numerous substances that are usually abused, making a consumer drug dependent. Among such drugs are: cocaine, alcohol, barbiturates, methaqualone, marijuana, and substituted amphetamines among others. Although theories exist that tend to explain the reasons behind drug abuse, it remains a mystery. This paper discusses the history of cocaine as a drug of abuse, its consumer groups and intervention methods designed to save the abusers. For more information you can ask essay professors .

History explains that the indigenous population of South America for years chewed coca leaves, containing cocaine, believing that they contained nutrients and numerous alkaloids, including cocaine. Coca leaves are still chewed by the same indigenous population in combination with tobacco to induce strength and happiness (Antai-Otong, 2008). The same cultures used a mixture of saliva and coca leaves as an aesthetic for the performance of trepanation. When the Spanish arrived in South America they discovery that the claims of the aborigines regarding the coca were true, they legalized the leaf and subjected it to taxation.

Originally, doctors used coca in its powder form for the protection of body from numerous ailments. It used to reduce the swelling of wounds and to cure rotten wounds, to strengthen broken bones, and to prevent and expel cold from the body.

With the discovery of this new alkaloid, Western medicine was quick to exploit the possible uses of this plant. Later, it was used as a respiratory system aesthetic and was also used for spinal anesthesia. Other uses of cocaine included treatment of morphine addiction, teeth whitening and flatulence. Presently, medicinal application of cocaine is very limited (Antai-Otong, 2008).

As soon as it was understood that cocaine could be used to induce happy feelings and stimulate body people started to abuse it. The continuous intake of the substance resulted to addictions. The drug became illegal because of its addictive nature and people`s behaviors after taking it (Sharma et al., 2009). It is regarded as one of the most dangerous drugs having caused most damage to humanity. Cocaine can be smoked, inhaled or even injected into the body. Users may feel high, worried, and anxious and also get into harmful activities such as violence, unprotected sex and robbery.

The most affected persons are teens, refugees and the immigrants, street children, and musicians. Refugees and immigrants consume cocaine and other drugs with the aim of suppressing thoughts resulting from rejection, stress, new environment, and racism among others. Street children are subjected to mistreatment, tough conditions, rejection, lack of care and other life issues (Abhishek, & Lents, 2011). Musicians seek fame and face challenges in their field, thus, they may start using cocaine. Some musicians, for instance reggae musicians, abuse drugs. People who desire to sing and produce such songs find themselves getting introduced to cocaine. Some groups have been classified by the World Health Organization as prone to cocaine.

The 2000 world drug report revealed that six hundred tons of cocaine was used in 2000. The US consumption of the total amount was three hundred tons that stood for half of the world consumption. Europe consumed a quarter while the rest was shared amongst other parts of the planet. The national survey regarding drug usage reports show that one 1.5 million of cocaine consumers are twelve years old. Young cocaine abusers concern their parents. Teachers in numerous American schools face giant challenges resulting from the abuse. The drug sellers and traffickers make billions of dollars while many young brains perish. Cocaine abuse bears numerous negative impacts (Sharma et al., 2009). Governments, organizations and families around the world planet spend a lot trying to combat the societal evil and to establish rehabilitation centers aimed at addressing the issue. These funds could have been used for the establishment of development projects for boosting economies and aiding in poverty minimization and elimination. Many brains that could have rewritten the human history die or get ruined permanently beyond rehab. Marriages break because of violence leaving the members psychologically tormented (Antai-Otong, 2008). The society’s corruption levels have increased since traffickers bribe the law enforcers. Those opposing the idea get killed by bandits, who try to hide the truth. Cocaine contribution to drug epidemic is evidenced by present reports showing that six hundred tons of cocaine is produced and consumed each year. The rise of the drug concern to global level reveals its destructive nature.

The issue of cocaine abuse can be fixed in a number of ways. Combating the drug production and trafficking is the best and first initiative that I would put to use. Although some of the most dangerous drug lords liaise with governments, the same administrations form the frontline stakeholders in resolution of the drug abuse problem. They should employ the available resources including law enforcers and establish constitutions that embrace strict penalties for drug processors and traffickers (Sharma et al., 2009). The next method of addressing the issue is educating both young persons and adults on dangers associated with cocaine abuse. It’s crucial that both consumers and non-abusers comprehend the need to avoid cocaine as it has killed millions and ruined lives of thousands of people in various countries. Understanding the financial or economic effects of cocaine becomes a vital aspect of the avoidance of consumption. Among the best agencies is the CIA in the US since the processing and trafficking inculcate underground markets that require high intelligence. The agencies have investigative capacity and the necessary machinery to catch criminals. The agencies can be utilized via tipping them on consumers of the illicit drug. Having information regarding specific consumers can lead them up the supply chain (Antai-Otong, 2008). There are many young persons who are against cocaine abuse. However, they constantly contact with other teen cocaine abusers. The non-consumers are basically the ones, who can easily identify the abusers and, therefore, report them to specific persons, who would then direct the information to the CIA.

The targets of the intervention are actual consumers, parents and guardians, as well as persons working with teens like teachers. Movie producers are also very significant in addressing the problem. The abusers require information that can aid them in the understanding of the negative effects the drug poses on their lives (Abhishek, & Lents, 2011). Teens need to engage in such activities as talent shows, games etc; moreover, they need to be continuously exposed to dangers associated with drug consumption. Thus, young people can have numerous benefits such as employment and risk avoidance. Refugees and immigrants would avoid deportation and imprisonment. Guardians and parents would have limited burden associated with raising their children. Movie producers would make money while communicating the message to the concerned parties.

There are numerous impacts of the method on the community. For instance, a community free from drug addicts has a limited number of crimes (Sharma et al., 2009). The members of such a community live in harmony and with no fear. Cocaine abuse makes abusers act as criminals. Their minds operate like those of beasts, caring less about others. The economic welfare of people living in a drug-free community improves due to the reason that finances are directed towards development rather than construction of rehabilitation centers and combating criminals. Education levels of people would improve as well since the method automatically lowers school dropout rates. There won’t be a need for teachers, guardians and parents to educate children on dangers associated with drug abuse. The method cannot be directly embraced (Antai-Otong, 2008). It would firstly demand education of stakeholders on acceptance. For instance, the government never takes something easily as it costs tax payers’ money. Law enforcers also have their strategies and may feel intrusion whenever ideas are proposed to them. Thus, posing new ideas to combat crime is likely to face opposition. It is, therefore, difficult, but with enough efforts, success can be achieved.

Today the best technique in making people aware of the terrible consequences of cocaine abuse is the use of social media, as this platform engages numerous people. The social media incorporate chat rooms, twitter, Skype, Facebook, and WhatsApp among others (Abhishek, & Lents, 2011). This platform ascertains that the message reaches billions of people within a short period of time. Popular culture today is connected via social media. Any crucial information regarding cocaine is easily shared by numerous people across the planet. The increased application of android and smartphones has enhanced connection to social media. To increase awareness of people about the negative effects of drugs it is important to create a creative, emotional and short message that would combine words and images to enable people extract the content effortlessly.