Introduction
Kahn, Kernan, Arnoff and Griswold (2008) scrutiny culture as a set of behaviors and beliefs that typify, characterize and distinguish a particular age, social or ethnic group. These behaviors and beliefs that are put together are learnt or taught by associating with precise groups. According to culture, persons should conduct themselves in accordance to set rules and regulations. Consequently, culture becomes a very strong contributor on substance abuse by the adolescence. Griswold et al. (2009), states that cultures permit the consumption of prohibited substances as a cultural practice. They go ahead to give examples of some countries in Middle East and Somali cultures that perceive Khat chewing as cultural. Therefore, this paper scrutinizes, discusses and explains how culture influences adolescents’ substance abuse by looking at several basic factors.
Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge of Cultural Competency
Nemegyei, Cerda and Gutierrez (2006) define cultural competency as the ability of persons to affect interpersonal cultural understanding and sensitivity in each day interactions with individuals from any part of the world of dissimilar cultures. The attitudes, knowledge and skills of cultural proficiency refer to the primary mechanisms that delineate this multi-cultural relations ability. Nemegyei et al., (2006) make out the knowledge feature as similar to other diverse practices in culture. This understanding includes capability to value diverse cultures as exceptional from personal culture. Cross-cultural skills that make interaction possible with other cultures are made possible by skills aspect. On the other hand, the mind-set perception means having an affirmative viewpoint of the cultural dissimilarities in existent amid personal culture and the culture of others.
Element of Culture that Impact Adolescent Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse
Griswold (2008), state that culture influences the abuse of some drugs because it installs social activities that dictate use and abuse of these substances. This is true because culture is a governing tool in many communities. Additionally, Griswold suggests that the same culture should be used to control these abuses by teaching the adolescence how to follow culturally accepted rules.
Varieties of Cultural Groups that may manipulate and control the adolescent Attitudes and Behaviors in relation to Substance Abuse when they become members
There are outstanding two cultures that can greatly influence the adolescents’ behavior and attitude towards abuse and use of drugs (Gutierrez, 2006). First, there is the ethnic group of culture and second, the peer cultural group. To begin with, the adolescence stage is a very remarkable part of peer group as it is vital in identity recognition. Therefore, adolescents are pushed to abuse and use of drugs as a mark of identity to their peers or to gain cultural acceptance. On the other hand, the ethic culture group influences behavior and attitude when cultural norms are strictly observed leading to substance abuse and use. Gutierrez et al., (2006) differentiate well-built recognition with cultural values of a community as qualification to smaller quantity of substance abuse exposure amongst adolescents. Moreover, he proves that integrating ethnic cultural mechanisms to substance abuse and treatment plans assist in making them more helpful.
Effect of Explanatory Model of Substance Abuse on Prevention and Treatment Practice
The explanatory model of substance abuse states that may lead to crime and crime can fuel extra employment of drugs. Thus, crime and substance abuse are closely related. Therefore, this model positively contributes to prevention and treatment of practices that generate substance abuse. Considering the situations whereby crime has been noted to reduce as a result of reduction in abuse of drugs this theory is said to be true. Consequently, there is a possibility of this theory producing positive outcome when embraced.
Effect of Movement from One Culture to another Culture on Substance Abuse and Use
Adolescents moving from one culture to the next expose them to more danger or substance abuse and use. This is because psychological stress is likely to occur during these movements and to this is not a short term effect. Therefore, the adolescents can resort to substance abuse in pursuit of cubing this stress (Griswold, 2008). Thus, cultural movement without proper education should be discouraged greatly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, culture is not a factor that can be overlooked when discussing the impact of substance use and abuse among the adolescents. This is so because culture plays a vital form in behavioral formation and shape. Moreover, culture sets behaviors and beliefs to be closely followed and outlines the practices and norms that amplify prevention and use of substances in the adolescents. Next, groups in culture, that is, ethnic culture and the peer greatly influence behavior and attitude of the adolescents regarding substance abuse. Lastly, moving from one culture to another culture seems to fuel teenagers towards substance use and abuse.
References
Griswold, Rose. (2008). The Strategy of Culture as a Preventive Medicine. Oxford :Oxford University Press.
Kahn, Kernan, Arnoff and Griswold. (2008). Risk and uncertainty in the youth transition. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Nemegyei, Cerda and Gutierrez. (2006). Culture and Substance Abuse among the Adolescent. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT
