Introduction
The social problem discussed in the paper is about drug and alcohol abuse in Colombia. A large population of the citizens of Colombia is under the influence of drug and alcohol abuse. The problem is common on the major towns and cities and the mostly affected population is of the young people. Drug and alcohol abuse is a social problem that has made the Colombian government to intervene and try to look for the possible solutions to the problem. The social problem has lead to both short term and immediate effects and also presents major consequences that are dangerous for human existence.
Drug and alcohol abuse is a social problem because of the following reasons: it affects economy of the country because drug addicts are not able to perform their duties well, the health of individuals is also affected hence the costs for hospitalization become very hard to afford, the use of the substances also results to mental disorders, the education of young individuals is placed in jeopardy because of high rates of school drop outs, there is transmission of diseases through sharing of syringes in drugs administration between the user ad many other effects. The effects of using drugs and alcohol abuse are what make the issue to be classified as a social problem.
The history of drugs in Colombia shows that a bigger percentage of drug users started using drugs at an early age and more people are becoming drug users because of the poor policies to deal with the problem, the major players include the drug traffickers, the drug users, the rehabilitation centers, health organizations and the government. The major players are the individuals affected directly by the problem.
What are the effects of drug and alcohol abuse on Colombian families and what are the steps taken to ensure full recovery of all members?
Drug and alcohol abuse affects a number of social institutions in Colombia. The mostly affected social institutions include: the family, healthcare institutions, and schools. The habit of substance abuse not only affects the addict but also the entire family where he comes from. When an individual reaches the level of addiction, repercussions are so obvious that the family starts to experience. A study conducted showed that 33% of heads of families in the middle social class were under influence of drugs where as 60% of fathers in low social class families are victims of drugs and substance abuse (WILLIAM, 2000). The major problem in the family is that most addicts are not able to provide for the basic needs of the family because the resources that they have are spent in substance abuse. They also find themselves in a position where they stop working and consume their time in the streets abusing drugs.
Research has shown that 38% of drug addicts leave their workplace and businesses after they are addicted and stays without working. This has contributed to families breaking up while at the same time increased the poverty levels. The interpersonal problems that arise in the families as a result of drug and substance abuse include: conflicts with partner and children, conflict with the available resources in the family, emotional trauma, family violence, cheating and unfaithfulness, marriage separations and divorce, health risks and influence to other family members. The substance abuse and mental health services in Colombia gave out an analysis of how families are affected and pointed that 21% of divorce is as a result of substance abuse, 34% of families are dangling in poverty due to the problem and 43% of drug addicts cannot be trusted in a relationship because they cheat on their spouses (Achman and Jerald, 1997).
How is the mishandling of drug and alcohol abuse affecting students and schools in Colombia and what are the repercussions?
In the modern today, most of the students have introduced themselves in drug abuse as compared to the past. The schools institutions in Colombia are complaining that more than 50% of the students are under influence of substance abuse. Students start to experiment usage of drugs through cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol. In high schools the rate of using drugs is increasing at an alarming rate and this can be attributed to peer pressure among students and adolescence. The national survey data indicates that one out of three 12th graders is alcohol abusers (Botvin $ Gilbert, 2000). The report also indicated than 51% of Colombian high school student have reported that they have ever used marijuana. Therefore, this indicates that marijuana is the most used drug than alcohol and other drugs.
The drug and alcohol abuse in students have a lot of negative effects. The most common is the performance of students is affected and they cannot easily accomplish their goals and objectives. There is also a high rate of school dropouts due to the use of drugs because many are suspended and expelled in schools. Other does not see the need for education after they have become addicts of drugs. This has made the government and other agencies to intervene and make it a mandate for the school curriculum to ensure it contains health education covering the content and effects of substance abuse. Among other effects caused by drug and alcohol abuse include high rates of violence, theft cases and even rape amongst students.
What are the roles of health care institutions in Colombia and how are they affected by drug and alcohol abuse?
The health care institutions have a role to play due to the increase in population of people who abuse drugs and alcohol. The health professional’s remains committed to deal with the problem and ensure that they contribute to a decrease in the number of people using drugs. The hospitals and rehabilitation centers receive a high number of drug addicts who need therapeutic interventions so that they can recover on their health. This has made the top management to look for enough resources from the government as well other sources of funding.
The healthcare institutions ensures that there are enough rehabilitation centers to deal with the problem and also increases the number of professional to offer a helping hand to the issue. The capacity short fall is experienced to the low number of competent qualified workforce that is available. Other drug to administer in the cause of treatment are also very expensive to afford therefore the hospitals cannot assist the addicts who requires expensive drugs. The institutions data indicates that many young people are the one who are addicted to the heroine drug and it needs massive resources to eliminate amongst the youth. The age that is mostly affected by the drug is eighteen years old teenagers.
The viable solutions to the problems of drug and alcohol abuse in Colombia
The ministry of health must implement preventive measures which will include: regular development of health professionals and staff to teach on health, family life and drug education, directly involve the community members in health and educational programs, pay a regular check and review to the drug and substance abuse policy, come up with well-equipped and relevant health promoting institutions. The ministry has also outlined a plan of sensitizing and creating awareness among students and the entire community as a whole though various ways: giving lectures, presentations, organizing for workshops, and dissemination information through the use of social media.
The funding of the Narcocon Colombia can help the organization to assist the youth in avoiding the social problem of substance use. The government can give direct funds so that the organization will reach the youth and try to overcome the addiction problem (Achman and Jerald, 1997). The Narcocon Colombia is charged with responsibilities to provide treatment and preventive measures to the entire youth population. It is have a duty to prevent the regional problem of drug trafficking and usage. This is a solution because many addicts will be taken to rehabilitation centers and the drug traffickers will be arraigned in courts of law due to engagement in illegal activities.
The government must also come up with new policies that will address the problem targeting the procedures to reduce the supply and use of drugs. The policy on drug trafficking must also be reviewed so that it can control the excessive consumption of drugs and alcohol. There is also danger in micro-trafficking and effective measures to curb it must be put in place because it poses threats to human existence. The police and judicial authorizes must be empowered in Colombia through increasing in personnel and more funding to the institutions.
References
ACHMAN, JERALD G., et al. (1997). Smoking, Drinking, and Drug Use in Young Adulthood: The Impacts of New Freedoms and New Responsibilities. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Clapp, John d., and Mcdonnell, Anita Lyn. (2000). "The Relationship of Perceptions of Alcohol Problems Reported by College Students." Journal of College Student Development 41 (1):19–26.
THOMBS, DENNIS L., and BRIDDICK, WILLIAM C. (2000). "Readiness to Change among At-Risk Greek Student Drinkers." Journal of College Student Development 41 (3):313–322.
BOTVIN, GILBERT J. 2000. "Preventing Drug Abuse in Schools: Social and Competence Enhancement Approaches Targeting Individual-Level Etiological Factors." Addictive Behaviors 25:887–897.
HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER. 2001. "Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention on College Campuses."
