Socialgy eassy, i will attach the source - Essay Example

Substance Abuse and Strategies of Action The paper focuses on the analysis of the different strategies of actionto resolve different forms of substance abuse. This is particularly based on Chapter 3 of the required reference. Strategies for action for fighting substance abuse vary based on implementation. Chapter 3 discusses the different actions taken based on the substance being abused such as alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. On a personal opinion, the different strategies discussed can be applied on these substances.

One of the strategies for fighting substance abuse based on the reference is prevention. Although alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs abuse can be considered very rampant and already hard to prevent, a long term application of preventive measures can positively, on a personal view, affect the statistics. Based on studies presented in the reference, anti-smoking and anti-drinking advertisements are effective. For that matter, more concerted worldwide efforts are needed to be undertaken to intensify this strategy specifically due to the fact that there is a percentage of the nations that ban such advertisements in favor of tobacco and alcohol producing companies.

In addition, there are already government and non-government efforts specifically programs and campaigns to prevent substance addiction and abuse. One of the most important evidence of the effectiveness of preventive action is the study that was quoted in the book conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University if a child reached the age of 21 without taking the habit of drinking, smoking or drug abuse, he or she would most probably not take the habit of at all.

This is a strong proof that prevention really is better than cure. Preventive measures are potentially very effective. The main hindrance to such strategies though is the limit brought about by implementation. If a nation is willing or not to implement such actions to the point of making laws to be able to legalize efforts to prevent substance abuse. The second strategy of action with great potential is the establishment and implementation of government regulations. This is related to the first one since it answers the question of how effective would the government plan and act upon programs and even laws related to the prevention and resolution of substance abuse.

Basically, the ultimate responsibility of ending a nation’s problematic issue depends on the stand of the government. Based on the discussion presented by the reference, there are numerous programs already undertaken by the government. The different levels of government such as the federal, state and local leaders had their own contributions in anti-substance abuse warnings through the years. By increasing the legal drinking age to 21, alcohol related road accidents decreased significantly (Chapter 3).

The clean air laws also positively contributed to anti-smoking campaigns since it prevented smoking in establishments. Other examples include the increased power of the Food and Drug Administration to control sale and production based on the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. These are just the few examples of the programs and laws implemented by the government. With full use of such laws, substance abuse solutions can be achieved. The only limitation to this strategy is also with regards to implementation.

The two strategies of action against alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse can be significantly effective but both needs proper and strict implementation. Usually, the main issue with regards to implementation is the absence of manpower that can reach the public. The government has the everything established but the actions do not reach the people. This is a common issue in any other programs or laws which needed a nationwide or worldwide implementation. Specifically, with regards to substance abuse, all the solutions are there, we only needed to know the most effective course of action.

ReferenceChapter 3.