The effects of drug and substance abuse among the youth in the United States
Introduction.
Drugs are substances that when consumed, affects the functionality of brain and body. These drugs have got different effects on human beings, some have long-lasting and permanent effects, and some may bring health consequences. These effects can continue even if the person seize to take the drugs.
Drugs can be taken in different ways into the body, Namely; Inhalation, ingestion and Injection. Depending on how drugs are delivered in the body, the effects are also different. i.e. the ingestion of drugs has got delayed effects while direct injection to the bloodstream has immediate effect. However, all drugs that are misused and abused affects the brain. This drug causes a great amount of dopamine, a brain transmitter that usually helps to regulate the body emotions, feelings of pleasure and motivation. Afterwards, drugs change interferes with how the brain works and therefore compromises a person’s ability to make relevant choices which leads to compulsive drug use. Over time this can turn into drug addiction. Drugs and alcohol abusers mostly get engaged in behaviours that are very risky or mental disorders hence committing crimes in the society. Drugs can also cause burden such as trauma, costs and also the influence of the youths is substantial.
Based on a recent study, close to 23 million people in the United States abuse illicit drugs and also 21365 people succumbed to death because of overdose drug prescription. In the US population, approximately 8 per cent of the youth is abusing drugs and alcohol, which directly affects most of the families, neighbours, employers, and co-workers. Also, the cost associated with the abuse of drugs and alcohol amongst the youths in the US is nearly $500 billion in lost revenue, legal fees, health care and damages every year.
How Drug Abuse Impacts Youths in the Families
The families that are so close to drug addicts’ individuals are the hardest hit. In the US, most families are affected in a way whereby at least one person is addicted to drugs. Therefore, the level of criticism or negativism within the youths are very high in different households. The use of drugs and alcohol between partners, more so youths causes domestic disputes when at least one partner is addicted.
Youths in the Us who are much addicted to drugs and alcohol most likely end up in poverty and homeless and inadequate health care hence representing known barrier in obtaining medication for the addiction. The rate by which youths in the US abuse drugs and alcohol are significantly higher than in compared population. Sadly, most children of the addicted drug abuse individuals are ten times as likely to abuse drugs as adults and youths.
A study in the Us shows that a higher percentage of youths’ drink alcohol while at work or in school. Most of them use drugs before leaving for work or report to work with hangover symptoms. Youths working under the influence of alcohol and drugs are at higher risk of getting injuries, this results in big numbers of insurance premiums passed on to employers and co-workers. Most youths in the Us end up unproductive at there place of work or school after using drugs hence putting some small business at risk of failure.
The strain on the Health Care System
In the US addiction is like a killer disease. The doubled cost of medication for diseases related to brain damage yearly is almost the amount used on addiction each year. The money used in supporting medical cost associated with drug addiction in the US is absorbed by the taxpayers and hospitals, close to 20 per cent of the money goes to drug addicts’ youths in the US. More than $180 billion is spent on health care relating to drug abuse annually. Drug abusers mostly suffer from co-occurring mental disorders, and they result in increased costs associated with health care.
Crime and Drug Addiction
Close to 20 per cent of the prison populations in the US are youths. Taxpayers incur a total of $45 billion annually that is used in prison. The majority of the youths that are in prison have been caught using illicit drugs or alcohol. The rate of which violent crime increases in the US is because of the Drug abuse amongst the youths. Most youths are involved directly to crimes to obtain money for drugs. In universities across the US, 80% of crime reported involving the use of drugs and alcohol; an example of this crime is Sexual assaults.
Conclusion
Abuse of drugs or drug addiction is a very risky illness with a lot of consequences. Everyone is impacted directly or indirectly because of drug abuse in the society, whether through paying higher insurance premiums, Taxation or college tuition. Drug abuse is a liability in most families more, so that affects youths. Therefore, youths are advised to stop abusing drugs and getting addicted.