The text looks into narcotics and prescription drugs as a common problem today. Narcotics such as morphine and heroin and prescription drugs like hydrocodone are most prone to diversion and abuse. The text looks into why drug networks arise, the changes that come with drug use and the risk behaviors involved.
According to the text, most narcotic addicts fall victim to use of the drug due to close association with other addicts and personal curiosity. Harsh living conditions and poor backgrounds predispose most people to use of narcotics such as heroin. Most addicts suffer loss of employment and stigmatization. Consequently, the addicts plunge themselves deeper into their addictions.
Heroin use in New York, for example, has been on the rise since the 1950s with an increase in use among young people. Shortages of the drug at different times and strategic peddling of the drug have contributed to the higher number of heroin addicts. The text also addresses prescription drugs abuse and the fact that it has been on the increase in the recent past. Dealers and pill brokers looking for market provide the prescription drugs to members of the society. People on medication of strong painkillers and the elderly are predisposed to abuse of prescription drugs.
Conclusion
Use of narcotics and prescription drugs severely affects the economic lives of the users. Most addicts result to crime as the only means to sustain their expensive livelihood. For the heroin users, needle hygiene has improved in the recent past. In as much as use of narcotics is a serious problem, it will not be easy to eradicate the use of these drugs in slum areas due to the reliance on the drug as a source of income and the motivation it provides to users.
