Drug Abuse Advocacy and Awareness

Don’t do drugs! We hear it all the time yet this warning is constantly ignored. Consider why people abuse drugs in the first place. Is it because they are addicted to the sudden surge of dopamine rushing through their system? Or perhaps they are treating a health ailment and it seems to be the only remedy or sense of healing. It is important to have effective educational and awareness programs to promote not only the dangers of drug abuse but also the safe and responsible use of medications. Although I am not personally connected to drug abuse, I believe this issue requires more attention due to its life changing consequences. By focusing on preventive education, community outreach programs, and stronger public awareness, we can help reduce the negative impact of drug abuse and mitigate the drug abuse crisis.

Improving the implementation and execution of substance abuse education programs are critical to mitigating drug intake. Many people, especially young teenagers and adults lack the understanding of the dangers behind drugs - both illegal or prescribed substances. The current education programs in place are not effective. Schools offer health classes to teach kids about the dangers of substance abuse, but how many actually understand what they are being taught? It oftentimes becomes another “class” as opposed to its intended purpose to raise awareness and share experiences. Health clinics are no different. Pharmacists and doctors provide the needed medication then provide patients with a pamphlet, but how many people actually take the time to read this information? If people are not engaged, then they will not be informed and the systemic crisis that we face today will continue to perpetuate. Without fully being informed, the seriousness of substance intake without being fully aware can be dangerous.

Drugs can be either prescribed by a doctor or sold in the public. Substances can have long term and short term effects on both physical and mental health. Due to the fact that drugs increase the dopamine effect, whenever an addict is without the drug they tend to be depressed, sad, grumpy, etc. NCDAS conducted a study where they came to the conclusion that drug overdose deaths in the US since 2000 are nearing one (1) million. Drugs can serve as a temporary solution to help you get through challenging circumstances. However, drugs have the potential to increase the level of uncomfortable emotions and feelings. Also, any sensations of relaxation will fade over time. You may find yourself using more and more drugs to deal with your difficulties, risking becoming addicted to them, which can lead to new problems for you. Drug abuse can also harm vital organs like the brain and liver, causing them not to function properly. It can also weaken the immune system, making it easier to catch illnesses. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems, can lead to death or might need long-term treatment. To add on, Caron treatment centers also measured that overdose deaths increased by 30% from 2019 to 2020.

If drugs are so bad, why are so many teens using drugs? Teens and young adults can easily get influenced by drugs because they often want to fit in with their friends or deal with stress. American Addiction Centers stated that, About 27.2 million Americans 12 or older (9.7%) reported battling a drug use disorder in the past year. Sometimes, they see drug use in movies or on social media and think it's cool or normal. Schools and communities try to stop this by teaching kids about the dangers of drugs and having strict rules about drug use. However, these protocols don't always work because not all teens pay attention in these programs, and some might still find ways to get drugs. Plus, if their home life is tough or their parents use drugs, it's harder for these programs to keep them away from trying drugs themselves. Caron treatment centers also concluded that 53 million or 19.4% of Americans in the over-12 age group have used an illegal drug in the last year. Because of these huge numbers of drug users we can improve ways to make more and sufficient programs. To improve drug programs, it's important to make them more engaging and relevant to teens, using real-life stories and interactive activities that capture their attention. Additionally, involving parents and community members in these programs can create a supportive network that reinforces the anti-drug message outside of school.

To raise awareness and work towards preventing substance abuse, we should employ a combination of strategies that resonate with a wide audience. For starters, advertisements that graphically depict the harsh realities of drug addiction can provide visual aids to the masses about the short and long term seriousness of substance abuse. These should be strategically placed on social media and television to maximize visibility. Additionally, conducting detailed research to understand the reasons behind drug experimentation among youth can help tailor educational programs more effectively. Schools should enhance their drug prevention curricula to include engaging activities and testimonies from individuals who have overcome addiction, making the consequences of drug use more tangible. Moreover, creating more community spaces where teenagers can engage in healthy, supervised activities can decrease the allure of drugs. By integrating these approaches, we can significantly reduce drug abuse and its impact on society.

If we don't take strong steps to stop drug abuse, the problem could get much worse over time. Without proper education and awareness programs, many people, especially young ones, might not realize how dangerous drugs are or even know what they are taking. This can lead to more people trying drugs and becoming addicted. Without community support and ways to help those already addicted, it would be harder for them to get the help they need. This could lead to more health problems and make it tough on families and communities.