Chapter 2Drug Use as a Social Problem

Drugs in Our Society

• Drugs are widely used (legal/illegal)

• Social conflict (why?)– Laissez-faire of U.S. government

3 Main Concerns that Aroused Public Interest

1. Toxicity (endangerment to public)

2. Addiction (inappropriate to society)

3. Increased crime

Categories of Toxicity

• Behavioral toxicity

• Physiological toxicity

• Difference between acute (short-term) vs. chronic (long-term) toxicity

Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN)

• Collects data on drug-related deaths/crises– Alcohol not counted if it is the only drug used

– More than one drug may be mentioned per incident and counted as separate “mentions”

– Alcohol is counted if in combination with other drugs

– Half of emergency room episodes are multiple-drug combinations

DAWN Report Results

• Identifying the most deadly drugs– Cocaine is many times more deadly than marijuana

– Heroin causes increased death but users decreased compared to cocaine

– Total annual death rate for all drop = 15,000

– Alcohol responsible for 100,000 deaths annually

Relationship Between AIDS and Drug Use

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is capable of spreading via addicts who share needles

• Infected host can be asymptomatic for years

• AIDS, Hepatitis B responsible for many deaths among drug users

Relationship Between AIDS and Drug Use, cont’d

• Public at large is at risk of infection

• Promotion of needle exchange programs may decrease infection

Drug Addiction

• Problems of definition– Drug users become enslaved

– Dealers were assured a steady market

– Drugs were singled out due to addictive results compared to others

– Psychoactive drugs were classified into categories of “dependence potential” (Table 2.3)

Does Drug UseCause Crime?

• Possibility that drug use may change the user’s personality in a lasting way

• Person may act criminally while under the influence of a drug

Does Drug UseCause Crime?, cont’d

• Drug use may cause crime for purpose of obtaining money for drugs

• Illicit drug use is a crime– 1 million arrests per year for drug law

violations

Why We Try toRegulate Drugs

• Concerns about toxicity, addiction, and crime

• Aroused public awareness and concerns

• Public officials may incite attention– Allows them more control, responsibility, or

bigger budget

Chapter 2

Drug Use as a Social Problem