The Drug Abuse Project - Assignment Example

? Health Promotion Approaches & Methods Health Promotion Approaches & Methods Target Audience: Young adolescents of age group 11-24 Subject: Drug abuse Introduction Drug abuse is one of the growing problems among youth of our society. In order to promote healthy lifestyle, protect humans from health hazards and provide a safe environment it is necessary to address the issue of drug abuse, which has increased over a period of time. Hence, in order to deal with this issue, it has become important to examine the adverse effects of drugs on our young generation. This paper examines the factors, the causes, indications of drug abuse and its implication on society. Furthermore, we will focus on health promotion project that will give in an insight of drug abuse program and strategic analysis towards its preventative measures. Significance of this Study It has been seen that there is a tremendous use of drugs among young adolescents and teenagers between 11 years to 24 years of age (Blum, 2011). This study is significant as it addresses the social issues which influences youth towards drug use. There have been many arguments between people as some relate drug abuse as a genetic or biological malfunction or some argue that it is a personal choice of the individual to what he indulges into (Li, Mao, & Wei (2008); Abadinsky (2010)). However, in most cases friends who are already drug users influence young kids. There is peer pressure, and they would rather fit in their group and not be called as ‘outcasts.’ These groups may also be associated with criminal groups or activities. Research also indicates that the use of illicit drugs has become a part of the lifestyle and taken as a pleasurable experience (Hammersley, Marsland, & Reid, 2003). Teenagers indulge in these activities as they may suffer from depression due to unemployment, low quality housing and may feel deprived of physical or emotional insecurity of their wellbeing (Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003). In other cases, some young adults are rebellious or just naturally curious and want to experiment into drugs without knowing the consequences of it. It has been seen that young adults may seek drugs as a defense mechanism against any trauma or tragic incident they have gone through in their life (?aminer & Bukstein, 2008). There are other factors due to which young adults are prone towards drugs like the easy availability and low cost of the drugs, which increases the risk of drug and substance abuse. Besides this, advertisements of pain relieving drugs also affect young kids and their thought process (Sussman & Susan, 2008). Hence, examining all these factors we can say that it is necessary to initiate such programs and campaigns through which the younger generation are made aware of the physical and psychological changes when they are exposed to prolonged drug abuse and its aftermath on the society. There are many behavioral problems associated with prolonged drug abuse. It gives rise to domestic and child abuse, hallucinations and impaired judgment. It has also been seen that the drug use has given rise to increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in youth as they do not take precautions when they are on drugs (Hammersley, Marsland, & Reid, 2003). Persons are also more inclined towards homicidal activities with suicidal tendencies as well (Marvin, Sharon, & Thomas, 1979) Drug Abuse Project The main purpose of a drug abuse project will be examining all these elements, how drug abuse originates and also define moral and ethical values in youngsters specially teenagers to instill healthy lifestyle in their life. In order to rebuke this system where drugs are easily available it is necessary to have such social and cultural settings that encourage positive approach towards life and the prescription of drugs is made limited as most youth perceive them safer than common street drugs. One of the important features of this report is to project these issues through media to affected persons as well as to the government authorities who can provide better services to individuals by giving them access to better opportunities, giving treatments to the affected and underline prevention services to promote a healthy environment (Pamela, 1989). This project also provides a platform for youngsters to come forward and address their issues openly in a friendly environment to meet the challenges of the society. The Drug Abuse Project: Aim & Objectives The aim of Drug Abuse Project is to provide youth with moral and ethical standing towards drug and substance abuse. As young children are more case sensitive and take risks, they need to be nurtured and protected from the underlying effect and the social, mental and psychological traumas of prolonged drug use (?aminer & Bukstein, 2008). Hence, it is necessary to educate children and parents with these dangers before they develop a chemical dependency for drug intake (Taylor, 2004). The main focus of this awareness project is to involve youth, all local communities, schools and other entertainment industries to join this anti-drugs cause. The primary aim of this program would be to have vigorous advertising about dangers associated with drug use and preventative measures to minimize its growing trend. It has been seen that it is necessary to have such media influence through which this activity is discouraged. Such prevention programs in schools and institutes have always demonstrated a positive response to reduce drug intake (Sussman & Susan, 2008). Hence, the motive of the program would be to bring these mediums to a platform where they can gather knowledge and address them openly through different programs and campaigns. Youngsters and kids especially in their teenage years are assimilating information from their surroundings as they are great observers, and this is the reason why this age group is more likely to experiment with drugs. A change in their belief can be made if they are given proper guidance relating to this cause (Severin, 1999). The second aim of the program is to creating partnerships with different industries and celebrities, which are acting as a role model to many individuals of the society. It is necessary through this medium accurate information is transferred to the youth to stay drug-free and discourage their peers who are involved in such activities (Sussman & Susan, 2008). Main Features of the Project This project caters all individuals of the society focusing on the youth and will consist of the following features; Discussion with parents, school authorities, local community bodies and other religious organizations on various drug abuse cases and their after effects on the society (Taylor, 2004). It is necessary that through this forum, education is provided to all these individuals in the presence of health professionals so that they can relate to the problem and they are made aware of how they are ruining the health. The main reason why it is necessary to involve parents, tutors and communities are because youngsters are more motivated to seek professional help during drug abuse when a close family member and the concerned community are directly involved with the welfare of the child. The family and community also act as a role model for the youth, and if they are actively participating in the project then they are likely to get influenced by their behavior (Neville & Paul, 2005). To have access to stakeholders and have a discussion on how to address this issue locally (Taylor, 2004). This is essential because opinions and recommendations can be generated about this issue. Moreover, stakeholders may provide applicable solutions to stop easy availability of this drug in the society. Students are required to sign a pledge they will not indulge in drug use and join gangs, which promote drug use (Taylor, 2004). Furthermore, this project will enable youth and students to have an interaction with authorities like police officers so that there is an understanding and mutual trust between them. It has been reported that if there is a friendly atmosphere between youth and police officials than there are fewer chances of drug use as the interaction provides a sense of security among the youth. The police can help provide solutions to the domestic disputes. If they are left unsolved, it might give an opportunity for young adolescents to experiment on drugs as drugs normally act as a gateway to escape from troubles (Neville & Paul, 2005). The project will enable students to come forward and recognize their emotional, mental needs and also to cope up with different modes of anger in difficult situations so that they are able to have control over their feelings and not resort to drugs (Taylor, 2004). There are encouraged to build their self-esteem, and through this activity youth can analyze their own strengths and weaknesses and take preventative measures to cause minimum harm to themselves and other people in their surroundings (Ennett, Tobler, Ringwalt, & Flewelling, 1994). There will be activities, which portray different behaviors associated with drug intake like bullying, illness, disabilities and other health problems that may even cause death. This activity will provide an insight on drug abuse on our health. Evaluation & Conclusion It is important to have drug education programs to promote healthy lifestyles, but in order for such program to be successful it is necessary to have accurate and up to date information relating to drugs for different stakeholders. Moreover, the project needs to cover comprehensive roles of personal and social behaviors of youth with the help of law and health professionals to determine effective methods to eradicate this issue. Hence, it can be concluded that through this project youngsters can develop a range of skills to avoid risk-taking behaviors, be communicative and be aware of the consequences of drug abuse. Reference List Abadinsky, H. (2010). Drug Use and Abuse: A Comprehensive Introduction.: A Comprehensive Introduction. Mason: Cengage Learning. Blum, R. W. (2011). Morbidity and Mortality among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States . Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Ennett, Tobler, Ringwalt, C. L., & Flewelling. (1994). How effective is drug abuse resistance education? A meta-analysis of Project DARE outcome evaluations. Am J Public Health (84) 9 , 1394–1401. Hammersley, R., Marsland, L., & Reid, M. (2003). Substance use by young offenders: the impact of the normalisation of drug use in the early years of the 21st century. Essex: Home Office Research, Development and Statistics . ?aminer, Y., & Bukstein, O. G. (2008). Adolescent Substance Abuse: Psychiatric Comorbidity and High-risk Behaviors. New York: Taylor & Francis. Li, C., Mao, X., & Wei, L. (2008). Genes and (Common) Pathways Underlying Drug Addiction. Retrieved December 28, 2013, from PLOS Computational Biology: http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pcbi.0040002 Neville, H., & Paul, M. (2005). Children, Education, and Health: International Perspectives on Law and Policy. Burlington: Ashgate Publishing. Marvin, B., Sharon, P., & Thomas, G. (1979). Drug Abuse: Its Natural History and the Effectiveness of Current Treatments. New York: Transaction Publishers. Pamela, S. (1989). Communication Campaigns about Drugs: Government, Media, and the Public. Hillsdale: Psychology Press. Sussman, S., & Susan, A. (2008). Drug Abuse: Concepts, Prevention, and Cessation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Severin, S. (1999). Drug Abuse Prevention for the General Population. Rockville: DIANE Publishing. Taylor, G. R. (2004). Youths Serving Youths in Drug Education Programs. Maryland: R&L Education. Wilkinson, R., & Marmot, M. (2003). Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts. Denmark: World Health Organization. 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