Drug Abuse in America - Essay Example

In addition, most Americans have believed that legal drugs are less addictive and safer as compared to illicit drugs which translates to extensive use of such drugs regardless of their side effects (Perry, 2013). American society promotes the extensive use of drugs in many ways. First, various reality shows as well as extensive advertisements of such drugs give the viewers the impression that the use of such drugs is safe.

Moreover, peer pressure is another factor that encourages the youth in engaging into drug abuse. For example, there is extensive use of drugs in various high school parties across the country regardless of the strict regulation by the government. Most of the legal drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes, and prescription drugs are easily available on the streets making it easy for the majority of Americans to access them. The availability of different social classes in society enhances the extensive use of drugs since most individuals in society tend to abuse drugs in order to fit in such social groups (Brick, 2013) Biological theory of addiction dictates that, continued use of a given substance by the individual results in addition.

The theory explains that introducing a given substance into the body results in overreliance, which limits the chances of withdrawal. On the other hand, sociological theory explains addition based on social influence. For example, the extensive use of drugs by an individual in order to fit in certain groups in society results in addition. Psychological theory expounds addiction based on the individual’s anxiety, as a result, of the use of the drug. The theory recognizes external and internal factors in addition to emotional experiences that contribute to addiction (Brick, 2013).

The psychological theory argues that individuals result to drug abuse in order to adapt to particular needs as well as external pressures. The best theory that explains drug abuse is psychological theory. This is because, the psychological theory argues that, drug abuse and addiction result from the desire the person to a specific person, as well as external needs (Perry, 2013). Decriminalization is the act of legalizing illicit drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. Decriminalizing drugs such drugs results in various impacts such as overuse of the drugs, paralyzing the activities of drug cartels, and reduction in drug peddling activities.

Decriminalizing illicit drugs results in drug abuse since the drugs will be easily available over the counter. On the other hand, the activities of the drug cartels are paralyzed since they will be available freely to the users (Perry, 2013). There are various social problems resulting from drug abuse such as family negligence and crime. Individuals abusing drugs tend to neglect their family responsibilities in society. Moreover, crime levels are high in regions where levels of drug abuse are high.

Individuals steal money in order to cater to the high bills incurred when purchasing drugs (Perry, 2013).