Substance abuse in the United States society is a major health and social problem contributing to about a hundred thousand deaths every year. The problem associated with substance abuse cost the United States economy billions of dollars due to the extra burden in the health care system. A survey carried out in 1992 indicate that over 82 million of Americans have taken at least 12 drinks over the period of one with 46 of these drinkers having reached intoxication level at least in one incidence and 4 weekly. Almost 10 of drinkers in America have been reported to be dependent on alcohol while 7 are alcohol abusers. There are increased cases of drinking among the adolescence increasing the possibility of alcohol dependence at later stages. Although moderate drinking may be beneficial to the elderly, heavy drinking is associated with heath complications such as hypertension, arrhythmias, stroke, cardiomyopaty and cancers. Heavy drinking is also the major cause of liver complication such as cirrhosis. It is also associated with increased risk of accidents, criminal activities and immoral behaviors (Healthy people 2010, 2001).
In 1995, it was estimated that there were about 4.4 million people who were addicted to hard drugs with about 3.6 million being cocaine addicts and about eight hundred thousand abusing heron. The disorder associated with these drugs is far reaching where the user engage in crime and other self destructive activities. The use of these drugs especially among the young people is associated with criminal activities, risky behaviors which may result into injuries and reduced productivity. They are also associated with the increased transmission of HIVAIDS, heart diseases, memory deficits and depression. Dependence on tobacco and other substances has also been reported to be responsible for several cancers which were thought to be unrelated (Healthy people 2010, 2001).
Drug abuse affects the whole population with the young adults and youth being most affected. Statistics indicate that whites and Hispanics abuse alcohol and illicit drugs more than African Americans while the African Americans abuse tobacco more than other races. Men are more likely to abuse drug when compared to women. Increased substance abuse among the adolescence especially drinking is attributed to their peer influence in schools and residential area, media influence and availability of illicit drugs among them. Individuals with families with history of drug dependence are at an increased risk of drug addiction incase they start using them. Moreover frequent drinkers have a higher risk of dependence compared to occasional drinkers.
To deal with this problem health people 2010 came up with several objectives. The primary purpose of these objectives was reduction of substance abuse especially among the young in order to safeguard their health and safety. These objectives include reducing negative effects of substance abuse such as motor vehicle carnage, substance abuse related crimes and deaths. Another objective is rehabilitation of substance abuser by providing treatment to illicit drug users, those who are alcoholic and in correctional facilities (Healthy people 2010, 2001).
The United Nation Office on Drug and Crime is an international agency which works together with other organizations and agencies in different parts of the world in dealing with substance use and crime. With the help of NGOs and civil society communities in different countries UNODC is able to achieve its mandate all over the world (UNODC, 2010).
In 1995, it was estimated that there were about 4.4 million people who were addicted to hard drugs with about 3.6 million being cocaine addicts and about eight hundred thousand abusing heron. The disorder associated with these drugs is far reaching where the user engage in crime and other self destructive activities. The use of these drugs especially among the young people is associated with criminal activities, risky behaviors which may result into injuries and reduced productivity. They are also associated with the increased transmission of HIVAIDS, heart diseases, memory deficits and depression. Dependence on tobacco and other substances has also been reported to be responsible for several cancers which were thought to be unrelated (Healthy people 2010, 2001).
Drug abuse affects the whole population with the young adults and youth being most affected. Statistics indicate that whites and Hispanics abuse alcohol and illicit drugs more than African Americans while the African Americans abuse tobacco more than other races. Men are more likely to abuse drug when compared to women. Increased substance abuse among the adolescence especially drinking is attributed to their peer influence in schools and residential area, media influence and availability of illicit drugs among them. Individuals with families with history of drug dependence are at an increased risk of drug addiction incase they start using them. Moreover frequent drinkers have a higher risk of dependence compared to occasional drinkers.
To deal with this problem health people 2010 came up with several objectives. The primary purpose of these objectives was reduction of substance abuse especially among the young in order to safeguard their health and safety. These objectives include reducing negative effects of substance abuse such as motor vehicle carnage, substance abuse related crimes and deaths. Another objective is rehabilitation of substance abuser by providing treatment to illicit drug users, those who are alcoholic and in correctional facilities (Healthy people 2010, 2001).
The United Nation Office on Drug and Crime is an international agency which works together with other organizations and agencies in different parts of the world in dealing with substance use and crime. With the help of NGOs and civil society communities in different countries UNODC is able to achieve its mandate all over the world (UNODC, 2010).
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