Social Problem - Final Essay - SCrist PDF

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1 Sheena Crist SOC 220 May 24, 2020 Mary Carlisle

Social Problem The abuse of alcohol, nicotine, and illicit drugs costs the United States more than 640 billion dollars a year. This total includes costs related to healthcare and crime. Drug abuse or substance abuse disorder can be defined as a chronic disorder that is characterized by compulsive drug use that is continued despite harmful consequences. Long-term use can cause changes to the brain and it is considered both a brain disorder and a mental illness (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018). However, despite the cost annually to the U.S. and the definition of drug abuse, only 20 percent of the drug user population would seek treatment at a traditional treatment facility. Leaving the other 80 percent left to find their own way in society. Therefore, the role of drug abuse as it relates social inequality on a macro and micro level, theoretical perspective as it helps to understanding drug abuse, and a possible solution to drug abuse will be further discussed. Macro and Micro perspectives of Drug Abuse There is a clear connection between social inequality and drug abuse. These inequalities can be measured on a micro and macro level and include poverty, education, occupational and neighborhood status, lack of societal opportunities, homelessness, various health issues, and distressed families (Dunlap, Johnson, Kotarba, and Fackler, 2010). Furthermore, society has perpetuated the stigmatization and marginalization of people who use drugs and has further

2 exacerbated these social inequalities. Social agencies fixate on the most problematic issues known with drug use and people who use drugs and our policies on both the local and national level are made to further marginalize this group of individuals (Room, 2005). The setbacks from society push individuals into further drug use, which only increases their poverty level, increases health risks and decreases their resources (Room, 2005). Theoretical perspectives and the understanding of drug abuse Views of society that give important assumptions about the operation of society are referred to as theoretical perspectives (Sullivan, 2016). A social problem develops when certain aspects of one’s life are not being met and there not enough resources to share to overcome this disadvantage (Sullivan, 2016). This is the case with people who use drugs, many of their basic needs are not being met and there are often not enough resources to be given out. These needs include stable housing, food assistance, and medical care. When these needs are addressed it creates improved mental and physical outcomes (O’Rourke, Ruiz, & Allen, 2015). Not addressing these needs results in further destabilization and increased vulnerability. When an individual’s mental and physical needs are being met and improve, drug use often decreases (O’Rourke et al., 2015). However, since the “war on drugs” began in 1971 with President Nixon, people who use drugs became the number one enemy, resulting in the criminalization, stigmatization, and marginalization of those who use drugs (Nicolson, Duncan, White, & Stickle, 2013). The criminalization, marginalization, and stigmatization of these individuals only further perpetuate drug use and abuse. When such labels are placed on a group of individuals it has a drastic impact on their development and increases the likelihood of the individual accepting this behavior (Sullivan, 2016). This behavior is adapted in response to the reaction and behavior of others and once someone is labeled it becomes a part of their social identity (Sullivan, 2016). To

3 alleviate this problem, our society needs to take a more caring, compassionate approach for helping individuals who use drugs. Using a harm reduction approach can decrease drug abuse and further help our communities. Possible solution to drug abuse The harm reduction approach is fairly new to helping people who use drugs. Starting in the 1980’s with The Netherlands and using safe injection sites to reduce the number of hepatitis cases (Einstein, 2007). Similar programs were also introduced in Canada, Australia, and in the U.K. Switzerland and Germany also introduced a heroin maintenance program around the same time (Einstein, 2007). The harm reduction approach is a philosophy that tries to reduce the harmful consequences of substance use and other risky behaviors without the individual being abstinent (Tatarsky & Kellogg, 2010). Current harm reduction methods include medication assistance treatment, needle exchange programs, safe injection sites, and the education and training of overdose prevention (Einstein, 2007). By using the harm reduction approach, it modifies drug users’ behavior and the conditions in which they use (Brocato and Wagner, 2003). In 2000 there were 5 million reported individuals who needed treatment; however, it was found that only 20 percent of those individuals would seek treatment in a traditional treatment setting (Brocato and Wagner, 2003). For the other 80% of the individuals with substance abuse disorder, seeking treatment with a harm reduction program, can reduce their drug use and provide them with needed resources (Brocato and Wagner, 2003). Harm reduction programs have helped lower the HIV rate by 80% among people who inject drugs and have helped lower health care costs by reducing the number of individuals who contract HIV, Hepatitis C, and other health-related issues (Harm Reduction Coalition, 2010). It is clear that the measures that are currently in place

4 are ineffective and an infringement on social justice and human rights, another approach is needed and needed sooner rather than later.

5 References Brocato, J., & Wagner, E. F. (2003). HARM REDUCTION: A Social Work Practice Model and Social Justice Agenda. Health & Social Work, 28(2), 117–125. Dunlap, E., Johnson, B., Kotarba, J., & Fackler, J. (2010). Macro-level social forces and microlevel consequences: Poverty, alternate occupations, and drug dealing. Retrieved May 21, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2924206/ Einstein, S. (2007). Harm and Risk Reduction: History, Theories, Issues, and Implications. Substance Use & Misuse, 42(2–3), 257–265. Harm Reduction Coalition. (2010). Fact Sheets. Harm Reduction Coalition. https://harmreduction.org/issues/syringe-access/tools-best-practices/fact-sheets-syringeaccess/. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). The Science of Drug Use and Addiction: The Basics. Retrieved May 21, 2020, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/mediaguide/science-drug-use-addiction-basics Nicholson, T., Duncan, D. F., White, J., & Stickle, F. (2013). Focusing on abuse, not use, in drug education. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE, 18(6), 431–439. https://doiorg.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.3109/14659891.2012.689922 O’Rourke, A., Ruiz, M. S., & Allen, S. T. (2015). Client-Identified needs and agency-provided services at a harm reduction community based organization in the District of Columbia. Harm Reduction Journal, 1. https://doiorg.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12954-015-0051-4 Room, R. (2005). Stigma, social inequality and alcohol and drug use. Drug & Alcohol Review, 24(2), 143–155.

6 Sullivan, T. J. (2016). Introduction to Social Problems (10th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/pearson/2015/introductionto-social-problems_ebook_10e.php Tatarsky, A., & Kellogg, S. (2010). Integrative harm reduction psychotherapy: a case of substance use, multiple trauma, and suicidality. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2, 123....