This research paper examines different aspects associated with the war on drugs. The first is the effect on an American family when a family member becomes involved in drugs; how it can bring down the family as a consequence. The paper also examines the impact of drugs on youth and the youth culture, and why drugs are so big in Mexico. Finally, the paper summarizes the themes of the movie Traffic.
The Research
Effects on an American Family. In an article entitled “Effects of Substance Abuse on Families” published in the Chicago Tribune, Beth Aileen Lameman first describes – from the perspective of the drug addict – the interpersonal problems that can be created for all members of the family. The first is jealousy, which can occur in both directions. You may become jealous of those around you; not just your family but friends and others in your circle. Conversely, your spouse may become jealous and /or resentful of you.
Then there is a series of conflicts that may arise: with your partner over your addiction, with your children (causing them to ignore you or to be afraid of you), and conflicts over money – especially if you’ve taken time off work or lost your job, or simply because all your money is spent on drugs. Emotional trauma is likely, arising from you shouting at your family or being generally insulting and manipulative. You may even become violent, including physical assault and/or breaking stuff or throwing it around. In some cases the violence can be directed at you by family members. With some addicts, a distance may grow between partners, the addict turning to sex outside marriage, for example, which may ultimately lead to separation and/or divorce. Family members – especially children – may not want to be near you or are taken away. The way you conduct your life is highly likely to influence other family members. As a consequence, there is a greater chance of your children will also become drug or alcohol addicts. Additionally, your own health and judgment will suffer as a result of using drugs.
Lameman also sets out notes relating to people in different family structures. She mentions that the information was adapted from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services “Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy guide”. Those notes are paraphrased here. Living as a couple: You both require help. If only one is an addict, there will be co-dependence issues. Living with a spouse and small children: Whether one or both partners are addicts, the children will be affected and may themselves become drug addicts. Living with a step-family: Your drug problem will hamper integration as a family and will endanger family stability. You are older, with grown-up children: Treatment may mean calling on family resources. There could even be maltreatment of the addict. Younger person still living with your family: Your addiction may cause the needs of other family members to be neglected. If one of your parents is also an addict, there could be conflicts of a physical or emotional nature.
Quoting the “Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy guide” referenced earlier in her article, Lameman concludes by recommending family therapy as a resource to help families recover from situations where one or more family members is an addict.
However, in an article entitled “The Impact of Drug and Alcohol Abuse on Families” published by Healthy Place (America’s Mental Health Channel), the writer adds cautionary notes about using Family Therapy. Firstly, that family therapy is not appropriate where a person or child is the subject of physical assault and that the priority must be to safeguard all parties involved. Secondly, the article warns that family therapists may not be trained in screening for substance abuse and that counselors who are trained for that should not engage in family therapy unless properly trained, but should at least be sufficiently aware to refer clients when necessary.
Impact of Drugs on Youth and Youth Culture. Alan Burdziak and Dave Herndon published an article entitled “The impact of marijuana on youth culture; 'redeeming value' is medicinal use” (October 6, 2011). They claim that some 37 percent of Americans over the age of 12 have tried marijuana, along with almost half of all high school senior pupils. Almost a quarter of the high school seniors admitted to being “current users”. The article also suggests that similar numbers smoked pot back in the 1960’s, but because youngsters today are better educated, they are more able to make decisions, and that marijuana has the redeeming feature that it has medicinal uses, too. In summary, the article supports marijuana use and considers it as a relatively harmless part of youth culture that has remained unchanged for several decades.
On the other hand, an article on the BBC News website, published in May 1999 and entitled “Drugs ‘part of mainstream youth culture’” suggests that drugs use has “become a normal part of dance and youth culture.” A survey carried out in Edinburgh, Scotland, found that over half of the youngsters surveyed use drugs and alcohol and that –disturbingly – around 25 percent of them admit to occasionally driving whilst affected by drugs. Another worrying trend uncovered was that the average age range of the drug users had fallen to 18-20, compared with previous surveys that indicated the age group 20-24 was the most prevalent. The survey also found that the drugs most commonly-used were: “ecstasy, used by 82%, speed, 81%, cocaine, 39% and LSD, 30%”. Following the survey, a spokesman stressed that children aged 10 to 14 years should be educated about the dangers of drug use. He stressed that we must reach these young people before they start going to these places where drugs are widely available and used.
Why Drugs Are so Big in Mexico. An NBC News article “Mexican Cartel Links to Silicon Valley”by Jaime Peluffo, updated 17 July 2012, describes the Mexico drug industry as highly organized. He states “They run their organization like a Fortune 500 company.”
Another article – this one in the New York Times of June 15 2012, by Patrick Radden Keefe was entitled “Cocaine Incorporated”. Keefe describes the life and business of Joaquín Guzmán, allegedly the most powerful man in drugs-trafficking and the CEO of a drugs cartel based in Mexico. The scale of the drugs industry is Mexico is due to the insatiable demand in the United States for illegal drugs and because Mexico is ideally located geographically to supply that demand, being the direct neighbor of the USA. According to the article, Guzmán’s cartel can purchase one kilo of cocaine in Peru or Columbia for circa $2,000, but can sell it “wholesale” over the United States border for $30,000.
Themes of the Movie “Traffic”. This movie, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is about the US President’s selection of a hard-line judge to head up the fight against drugs. According to Nell Minow, who summarized the movie in May 2003 on the common sense media website, there are various sub-plots, including the judge’s daughter becoming a heroin addict, but fundamentally the main theme of the movie is a vehicle for the anti-drug message.
Conclusions
The research undertaken has shown that drugs are a constant and probably growing problem, requiring ever-increasing efforts to be made in the war against them. Difficulties in pursuing the campaign against drugs are that there is huge demand for them in the US and other countries, and that the drugs supply industry based in Mexico and other South American countries is highly organized. The research has highlighted the serious and multiple effects on families of having a drug-user in their midst. It has also suggested drugs as part of the youth culture are worryingly attracting ever younger participants. The movie “traffic”, although a commercial enterprise, is just one of the weapons used in the war on drugs, by delivering an anti-drugs message to its audiences.
References
Burdziak, Alan & Herndon, Dave. (October 6, 2011). The impact of marijuana on youth culture; 'redeeming value' is medicinal use. Advisor & Source Newspapers. Retrieved from http://www.sourcenewspapers.com/articles/2011/10/06/news/doc4e8e153644bb2656530266.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Keefe, Patrick Radden. (June 15 2012). Cocaine Incorporated. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/17/magazine/how-a-mexican-drug-cartel-makes-its-billions.html?pagewanted=all
Lameman, Beth, Aileen. (n.d.). Effects of Substance Abuse on Families. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-health-addiction-families,0,2311189.story
Minow, Nell. (May 2003). Traffic (movie). common sense media. Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/traffic
Peluffo, Jaime. (17 July 2012). Mexican Cartel Links to Silicon Valley. NBC News. Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48216432/ns/local_news-san_francisco_bay_area_ca/t/mexican-cartel-links-silicon-valley/
The Impact of Drug and Alcohol Abuse on Families. (n.d.). Healthy Place (America’s Mental Health Channel). Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/family-impact/impact-drug-alcohol-abuse-on-families/
