DEFINITION OF SUSBSTABCE ABUSE.
Different people use different substances such as alcohol, tobacco, or drugs for complicated and varied reasons. The level of use of these substances causes substance abuse. Substance abuse refers to a harmful pattern of using any substance or drug against its prescription for alteration of moods. Abused substances intoxicate the users leading to alteration of judgments, lack of physical control, reduced attention, or development of different perceptions (Freeman 2001, pp. 63). This impacts on their performance either at school, work place or home. Substance abuse relates to suffering of many relationships, having trouble with the law, or loss of lives.
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The toll of substance abuse is clear in many hospitals and rehabilitation centers as a result of health deteriorations, and lack of concentration. Nearly all substances produce a phenomenon referred as tolerance where users use different amounts to gain the same level of tolerance. This depends on the dependency on the substance or levels of addiction amongst different users.
Substance abuse may result from family or historical backgrounds of abuse, and in some cases such most users lack the ability to control the abuse (Freeman 2001, pp. 64). Research indicates that family history of abuse increases the risk of engagement while victimized, and individuals rose in poverty or under child abuse also face the risk. Other causes may be depression, low esteem, and peer pressure amongst the youth. Some of the symptoms of substance abuse include forgetfulness, loss of interest, decline in grades, suicidal threats or thoughts, and aggressiveness.
The environment surrounding every person plays a critical role in either substance avoidance or overuse. The environment, in this case, refers to family, peers, friends, or society that individual hails. It is the environment that dictates the availability of drugs, alcohol, or any other substance, and it is the same environment that may dictate the unavailability (Beth 2011, par 6). Normally, it is the environment that carries the cost of substance abuse, which may range from a disoriented society, lack of proper education, poverty, deaths, or lack of development.
STATISTICAL INFORMATION.
Different sources of sources monitor the trends and prevalence of substance abuse. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) is amongst these sources and provides that substance abuse costs the US over $600 billion in expenditure related to crimes, healthcare, productivity, and lost work.
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) survey (2009), at least 23.5 million teenagers aged above twelve need treatment for alcohol abuse or illicit drugs. Of these 11.2% of those who required treatment received it at special facilities. In a report released in 2008, SAMHSA provided characteristics of those admitted and discharged from treatment facilities. In its Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) released in 2008, at least 1.8 million admissions for treatment of drug abuse were reported by facilities that report to state administrative data systems. Out of these admissions 41.4% composed of alcohol abuse, 20% heroin or other opiates, and 17% marijuana. By race, the whites had the highest percentages of admissions as provided below:
SAMHA provides that at least 10 million Americans aged 12 to 20 have engaged into alcohol abuse. According to the agency, approximately 23 million Americans are illicit drug users; non-medical prescriptions and marijuana being the most used drug types. Almost 18 million Americans depend or abuse drugs and alcohol, and this has contributed to 41% of accidents in the country.
POPULATION AFFECTED.
The ‘at-risk’ populations of substance abuse include a diverse and a broad range of individuals deemed susceptible to either psychological or physical effects. For some, harm may be the result of substance abuse, while, for others, the risk relates to factors or characteristics of those living around them.
A survey conducted by SAMHSA in 2012 provided that substance abuse if highly recorded from people aged from 25 years and above. The reasons behind the high percentage of substance abuse in this age group include frustrations, depression, peer pressure, and family or societal issues. The results are increase in crime rates, physical fights, violence, motor vehicle accidents, increased sexually transmitted diseases, and child abuse amongst others (Beth 2011, par 12).
Children and adolescents are also at high risk due to the increased sensitivity to changes in their physiological development. Adolescents inability to control, gauge, and enforce the limits to use of drugs, increase their potential risks for harm especially if abuse pairs with other activities.
In terms of gender, men are ranked as the highest substance abusers. However, the degree of risk is high amongst women than in men. The differences in metabolic rates among males and females influence the levels of drug abuse. Physiological changes and processes amongst the elderly also influence the levels of substance abuse in this age group (Beth 2011, par 12). The stress of ageing, changes in lifestyle, and loneliness trigger the urge for us of drugs.
Public experts argue that the environment in which these people live in significantly affect their behavior and attitude towards substance abuse (Beth 2011, par 15). Such influences as availability in terms of low prices and outlets, acceptance by the society through media, and role models, domestic and international marketing, and weak public policies, influence the overuse of substances such as drugs, marijuana, and alcohol.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS/FEDERALLY OR STATED FUNDED PROGRAMS.
Preventing substance abuse before it starts creates a cost effective approach towards approaching a healthy economy. The federal government, with the support of different communities, has supported a variety of local leveled prevention activities through grants and research. Supported by these funds, the largest local level substance abuse programs are available in public schools, community organizations, and law enforcement institutions.
At least 140,000 public schools educate over 75 million children on the safety of not using drugs. Law enforcers like police work together with schools and societal organizations to lend their perspective on substance abuse. Most of the local programs aim at preventing school aged, and youth populations from engaging into substance use. Other services target at college students, working population, and natives, amongst others.
Community anti-drug coalitions utilize their experience, collective energies, and influence to address the issue in their neighborhoods, counties, and states. Such coalitions develop from the need to address every aspect of substance abuse, preventive measures, intervention and treatment, aftercare, and law enforcement. Their core aim is to prevent the social issue that affects the development of communities, and the state.
Amongst the programs formed by the federal government in support of prevention of substance abuse is Drug Free Communities Program (DFC). Established in 1998, DFC has been a bi-partisan component of the federal’s government aim of reduction and prevention of substance abuse (Office of National Drug Control Policy). DFC stands on the premise that societies must be equipped and organized to deal with substance abuse at the individual level, and in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. The program recognizes that federal resources meant for anti-drug campaigns must be invested at the community level if the objective of substance abuse prevention is to be reached.
The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency (SAPTA) also work with the federal government and communities in preventing substance abuse. Stated in Nevada, SAPTA coordinates funding received from the government in support of community programs aimed at prevention of substance abuse. The program works to reduce the effect of substance abuse in Nevada by provision of such services as early intervention programs, prevention programs, recovery, and treatment services. The agency also support the development and implementation of the federal plan in prevention and treatment, development of standards for licensing prevention and treatment programs, and coordinating federal funding. Other government supported programs include SAMHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), which aims at supporting programs that prevent and reduce the impact of substance use for local communities.
Reference.
Beth, Berk. Effective substance abuse prevention: Why it matters, what works, and what the experts see for the future. (2011). Work cited, http://www.ca- cpi.org/docs/Publications/Other/EffectiveSubstanceAbusePrevention_March2013.pdf
Freeman, Edith M. Substance Abuse Intervention, Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Systems Change Strategies: Helping Individuals, Families, and Groups to Empower Themselves. New York: Columbia University Press, 2001. Internet resource. Page 60-76
Office of National Drug Control Policy: Grant Programs. Work cited, http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/grants
