Drug Abuse
A drug is any substance that alters the normal functioning of the body and the brain. In New Jersey, drug and substance abuse has increased over time since 1971. The state is faced with widespread abuse of opioid drugs, illegal substances such as heroin, and medical prescription drugs like hydrocodone (Diep et al., 2018). New Jersey records high fatal rates as a result of drug overdoses. The major causes of drug abuse include peer pressure, where one engages in drug abuse because of his friends; this mostly happens in schools. Some people find fun in substance abuse, therefore, engaging in abuse for recreational purposes.
Categories of Drugs
Opium drugs always cause a feeling of euphoria, which is the primary reason for their abuse. These painkillers have a high addictive nature of being used repeatedly. Examples of opium analgesics include codeine, morphine, and Percodan. Stimulants are drugs that cause excitement in the nervous system (Diep et al., 2018). They also stimulate the state of the mind and body. People use stimulants to achieve an extraordinary power of mind and body. Stimulants provide mental balance, super feelings of happiness, and exhilaration. Though doctors at times prescribe them, most people abuse them. Stimulants include drugs such as nicotine and caffeine. Depressants are used to slow mental stimulation. The drugs have an impact on the nervous system, heartbeat, and respiration. People abuse them to achieve a feeling of relaxation and calmness and to have a deep sleep. Cannabis refers to hard drugs such as marijuana produced by the cannabis Sativa. The drugs are abused because of their psychoactive properties. Examples of cannabis drugs include marijuana and bhang.
Effects of Drug Abuse
Substance abuse in New Jersey has caused devastating effects over time. Drug use compromises one’s safety. The body and mind intoxication caused by the drug makes individuals careless and exposes them to hazards such as road accidents and violence. The quality of life an addict leads is reduced. The body is exposed to various medical complications such as brain damage and liver failure (Nower et al., 2018). Substance abuse is illegal in the state; therefore, abusing drugs leads to illegal consequences such as jail terms, court fines, and criminal records that damage one’s reputation.
Drug abuse will also lead to family break-ups and disorientation, making couples separate and children being brought up by either one or no parents. Continued drug use results in addiction. Addiction affects the person in daily activities. Addiction causes a loss of focus, making one unproductive when sober (Nower et al., 2018).
Effects of Drugs
Amongst school-going children, their academic performances deteriorate over time, shutting down their academic goals. Students abusing drugs are violent and disrespectful, causing them often be suspended or expulsion from school. Due to the high prices of drugs, most people lose a lot of money trying to purchase them, and this leads to a financial crisis. Drug abusers are violent and mostly engage in criminal activities such as robbery. An overdose also causes extreme body intoxication, which results in death (Nower et al., 2018). Abuse of medicinal drugs will result in complete body resistance to the drugs. In case the abuser gets sick, it will be difficult to treat him/her because of the resistance.
Drug Abuse Reduction Strategies
Mass teaching and awareness programs have been launched in the state. The programs aim to enlighten people on the effects of drugs and the need to avoid them (Peterson et al., 2019). The government has raised taxation on addictive drugs making their prices too high for most people to afford. Champaign against drug use has been set up in various setups such as schools and churches (Peterson et al., 2019). The campaigns are aimed to reach out to vast populations of youth who are easily lured into drug abuse.
In schools, the state has introduced physical fitness classes. The classes not only promote students’ health but also engage the students distracting them from substance abuse. Rehabilitation centers that are cheap and easily accessible have been set up to help addicts recover.
OTC medication usage has been controlled to ensure they are used for the right purpose. Parents and teachers have been mandated to play an imperative role in ensuring children and students uphold their morals against substance abuse. The government has passed laws restricting drug abuse and trafficking. Those involved in drug activities are arrested and prosecuted in a court of law, where they are highly punished.
References
Diep, J., Chin, D. T., Gupta, S., Syed, F., Xiong, M., & Cheng, J. (2018). Kratom, an emerging drug of abuse: a case report of overdose and management of withdrawal. A&A Practice, 10(8), 192-194. Web.
Nower, L., Caler, K. R., Pickering, D., & Blaszczynski, A. (2018). Daily fantasy sports players: Gambling, addiction, and mental health problems. Journal of gambling studies, 34(3), 727-737. Web.
Peterson, N. A., Powell, K. G., Treitler, P., Litterer, D., Borys, S., & Hallcom, D. (2019). The strategic prevention framework in community-based coalitions: Internal processes and associated changes in policies affecting adolescent substance abuse. Children and Youth Services Review, 101, 352-362. Web.