M4 Essay

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July 03, 2019

Illegal and prescribed drugs

The social patterns of prescribed drugs are different from illegal drugs. Prescribed drugs are the pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by the physician for treating patients and are legal. Illegal drugs are banned that include heroin, marijuana, cocaine and hashish. These drugs are consumed for enjoying the euphoric effects. However, these drugs have many harmful impacts on the health of consumers. Prescribed drugs are legal because they are used for treating patients. There are adverse impacts of illicit drugs on users including cough, respiratory infections, risks of heart failure, impaired balance and coordination.

Illegal drugs are used by people who exhibit deviant behaviors. Psychoactive substances consist of chemicals that influence the functioning of the brain. These drugs produce atypical behavior while addiction causes health damages. Immediate effects include relaxation, feelings of joy and satisfaction. Youth is more inclined to take the illicit substance for overcoming depression. Dangerous exotic drugs commonly used by young Americans include marijuana. The patterns of consumption of illicit drugs are more common among Americans having ages between 18-30 years. The consumption is even high among males compared to females CITATION Eri162 \l 1033 (Goode). psychoactive substances also include alcohol that is common among people of different age groups including youth, middle-aged and older population. The facts depict the marijuana is consumed ten times more compared to other illicit drugs.

Prescription drugs are taken for the purpose of treating illnesses however its addiction can have adverse impacts on the health of individuals. "Humans also use drugs as medication, of course, a number of which, when taken at larger than therapeutic dosages, are psychoactive and, at even larger doses, cause serious bodily harm, even death” CITATION Eri162 \l 1033 (Goode). The central reason for prescribing drugs is for controlling pain in the case of chronic illnesses. Substance drugs are made legal in various states with the aim of assisting patients in coping with severe pain. However, states have passed laws and created guidelines for the rightful use of such drugs. Overdose or wrong prescription can cause the death of patients. It exhibits the responsibility of staff to administer the rightful dose of prescribed drugs. Increased consumption of prescribed drugs can also cause addiction to a substance. An opioid is one of the commonly prescribed drugs that was used in hospitals for treating patients of chronic illness. However, the overdose caused many patients to die. This reflects the need for following guidelines in prescribing opioids to patients. Many states in America have nabbed opioids due to its deteriorating impacts on the people.

The social patterns that encourage people to use illicit drugs include poverty, crime, discrimination, lack of tolerance, aggression and violence. Psychology reveals that deviance is one of the common factors that convince people to take illegal drugs. Youth and teenagers who fail to accept social values are motivated to take such drugs. Youth that experience negative social events such as torture, violence, inequality or isolation are more likely to use illicit drugs. These people fearless about their values or social norms and take drugs from attaining a sense of freedom CITATION Eri162 \l 1033 (Goode). People connected to low socio-economic status exhibit a high likelihood of taking drugs.

Illicit drugs are harmful that are damaging youth and their health. It is thus important to influence the youth by adopting education and awareness programs on illegal drugs. Awareness campaigns on marijuana and other harmful drugs could be an effective step for preventing the use of illicit drugs among youth. The healthcare providers must also monitor the rightful use of prescribed drugs that prevent patients from developing an addiction for substance.

Work Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY Goode, Erich. Deviant Behavior 11th Edition. Routledge, 2016.