The Continuing Rise of Opioid, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use
Based on what is popular in social media, it seems as if drug use is prevalent. While some people seem to enjoy certain drugs recreationally, the message of addiction is just as prominent. The researchers Thio, Taylor, and Schwartz state that “most people who use illicit drugs do so only experimentally, occasionally, or moderately, without sliding down the slippery slope to compulsive and uncontrollable use.”
As shown in the research by Bluthenthal, Chu, Wenger, Bourgois, Valente, and Kral, the most prevalent drug problems facing the United States in recent times are alcohol and opioids — even the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime considers opioids to be “the most harmful drug type.” It is important to mention one legal and one illegal substance in order to have a wider scope of dominant culture and subculture in the United States.
The impact that alcoholism has on society, the user, and their families is potential domestic abuse and a lack of productivity.
According to Thio, Taylor, and Schwartz, the impact that opioid addiction has on society, the user, and their loved ones is potential crime and an increase in diseases such as HIV and AIDS.
Addiction takes the focus away from being a parent, employee, and functional member of society while increasing negative feelings and risking one’s health.
Marijuana
Marijuana is legal and illegal depending on location within the United States. Marijuana has been used for medicinal, spiritual, and recreational purposes, and most legal locations focus on the medicinal use of marijuana instead of its recreational use. Americans are divided on this issue because marijuana seems to be more calming than intensifying during a high which makes a person more likely to be less aggressive. Marijuana use has become common in American pop culture, as well.
Realistically, the results will vary with the strain being consumed because, while many types of marijuana promote sleep, some increase anxiety and do provide energy. The evidence shown in the research by MacDonald and Pappas is that marijuana had a lower THC percentage, 3% decades ago, than it does now at 12%.
This means that younger generations are exposed to a stronger high.
MacDonald and Pappas say that the legitimate concerns are “low academic achievement and increased rates of school drop-out” among adolescents and young adults, the increased risks of psychotic disorders, and impaired driving because individuals fail to consider that driving below the speed limit is dangerous especially when psychomotor skills are slowed.
Marijuana may have the least amount of negative effects, compared to other substances, but it would be inaccurate to consider this drug to be free of hazards.
Marijuana in Colorado
Specifically, in Colorado, marijuana laws have had positive and negative impacts on society. Economically, it has created new businesses related to the growth, processing, and the sale of marijuana products — some taxation benefiting the funding of education. On the other hand, it has not decreased the use among teenagers, even if they are underage, and some are vaping marijuana.
Law enforcement is dealing with increased homelessness, due to individuals moving from other states, with the goal of easily finding a job within the marijuana industry or have legal access. They did not realize that technological advancements have resulted in less available positions, and Colorado has limited housing and continues to increase costs and the standard of living.
The high cost of legal marijuana products has allowed for the black market to thrive by keeping the prices below store prices, and the lack of regulation allows for marijuana that has been laced with other illegal or questionable substances. Citizens now have the option to buy marijuana as an alternative medicinal product, for themselves and for their dogs, but the serving size is more of a personal decision which can be problematic and unhealthy in some cases.
Colorado may be benefiting financially, and there have been some positive health increases, but social problems have grown because of marijuana legalization.
Global Comparison
The global perspective of drug and alcohol abuse is contradictory as much as it is in the United States. The legalization of marijuana has impacted the United States and Canada because other states are beginning to legalize medicinal or recreation use and Canada has legalized marijuana, nationally.
Raising the legal age for drinking has not been effective because people of age can make a profit by reselling alcohol to underage teens. Also, fake identification cards, and older friends who are willing to risk legal troubles, exist. Globally, other countries do have a lower minimum age for alcohol consumption while others have no laws. For example, Spain has a minimum drinking age of 16 while Portugal’s legal age is 18.
The immature and dangerous behavior that is witnessed among some college-age American adults occurs and finishes at an early age for many Europeans, and this drinking among adolescents can be supervised by parents at home.
While many Europeans are more likely to drink more alcohol than Americans, they are less likely to binge.
American parents are unable to attempt to prevent or monitor underage drinking, or the risky behavior of those who are barely legal, if their young adult children live away.
The legal age of drug use and the criminalization of certain substances do not stop many individuals from using these legal and illegal drugs, but decriminalization does normalize experimentation which has its health risks. There are a variety of reasons why people decide to use legal and illegal drugs and much of it is due to social influences.
Economic Deprivation
The theory of economic deprivation applies the most to the increased use of substances since, as explained by Thio, Taylor, and Schwartz, “drug abuse is intimately related to conditions of mass social deprivation, economic marginality, and cultural and community breakdown.”
Social-psychological theory applies, as well, because illegal and legal drug use is defined by income, family life, advertising, culture, and social stress. According to Bluthenthal, Chu, Wenger, Bourgois, Valente, and Kral, white heterosexual males who are over age 40, and come from a lower socioeconomic class, are most likely to use opioids.
The government of the United States has criminalized alcohol in the past, and while some people welcomed this decision, many others turned to the black market. Other drugs, including opioids, were legal, but they have been banned ever since.
There is profit to be made, whether it’s legal or not, because law enforcement, courts, and prisons will benefit financially as much as the criminals involved in the black market.
While some people want complete legalization or full criminalization of some, or all, substances, the core cause of addiction is poverty and ignorance, and there may be more reason to eliminate those problems from American society. Thio, Taylor, and Schwartz also mention that support for marijuana is the highest it has ever been in the United States, and it continues to grow as decriminalization continues to expand.
Conclusion
People are attempting to escape their everyday boredom or absolute misery by consuming mind-altering substances. The research by Thio, Taylor, and Schwartz shows that “the age group with the highest rate of drug use is 18 to 25 years.” Social, cultural gatherings make it seem mandatory to drink alcohol — such as barbeques, weddings, weekends, holidays, and college parties.
In my local area of Colorado, meth and black tar heroin are the most popular illegal substances while marijuana and alcohol are commonly used as legal forms of medicinal comfort for physical and mental stress. Southeastern Colorado is overcome with poverty — the perfect breeding ground.
I have never had an addiction to any of these substances, but I have been heavily intoxicated with alcohol a handful of times, and I have consumed several THC and CBD candies and chocolates. CBD is far more calming, with fewer side effects, but I have experienced a deeper numbing with the indica in THC. Like others who may not tolerate hallucinations and rather not increase the risk for future psychotic episodes, I have decided to avoid high levels of sativa.
While I have never suffered from an addiction, I am at risk because of my age, mental health, and socioeconomic level. Besides helping with issues like social anxiety, alcohol can be healthy, and this may be why it still is a popular substance.
Also, Thio, Taylor, and Schwartz mention that moderation results in “two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.” Still, it’s possible that some people are better off drinking even less than that especially if they consume other medications.
Education on the effects of all legal and illegal substances has had some influence over my choices, and while others with actual addictions may have had some level of education about drug use, social influence and stress may be far more motivating factors.
Rather than learning social skills or confronting an issue, some people would rather drink or smoke away their frustrations — even in small amounts.
