Political Activism And Participation Assignment

Your Name

Instructor Name

Course Number

Date

Political Activism and Participation

Letter to the Representative

Date: mm/dd/yy

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your City, State, Zip code]

[Your E-mail]

[Your Phone Number]

The Honorable [Mr. ABC]

House of Representatives

[Office Address of Representative]

Dear Representative,

I would like to share with you my concerns about an important social issue that has been affecting the youth of our country adversely. I have observed and researched as well on the issue of drug abuse, which compelled me to write to you so that immediate necessary actions could be taken in this regard. The US is facing this issue on high rise since the last three decades. The drug abuse has been proving costly to our nation that is estimated to be more than 740 billion dollars finally (Abuse). The main source of information on drug abuse and related issues, NSDUH (National Household Survey on Drug Abuse), issues reports periodically that present a discouraging situation of the country's population in this regard. The use of marijuana has increased in the last decade. Marijuana has been reported also as the most prevailingly used illicit drug in the country (Abuse). Its physical, psychological, and social hazards are evident. The opioid epidemic has devastated a large number of individuals across the country. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about ninety individuals die daily due to opium-related incidents (Opioid Abuse Deterrence, Research, and Recovery Act | U.S. Congressman Mark Meadows).

Facts and figures indicate a very disappointing situation in society due to increasing drug abuse in individuals. Many people, especially the youth, have been addicted to drugs, which is causing hindrance to their career growth, affecting their health, and unbalancing their lives. The number of affected individuals is disturbing. Addiction of harmful drugs is potentially damaging our society which will ultimately affect the overall output of the country. Families and communities have been torn apart by the prevalence of drug abuse. The recruiters quote frequently that many applicants of jobs cannot qualify for the work positions just because they cannot pass their medical tests due to the involvement in drug abuse. The crimes taking place in the country have reasons behind that include drug abuse mainly. An important research conducted by NSDUH found that more than thirty-three percent of the US civilization, that is, the non-institutionalized adults, are involved in prescription opioid use. The main motivation has been recorded to be the relief of physical pain. Among these individuals, a substantial number is involved in misuse of the substance. Besides relieving pain, other reasons for prescription opioid use can be behavioral health problems or economic disadvantages experienced with increased intensity (Han et al.). The study proposed an improvement in the pain treatment by using evidence-based pain management system.

The aforementioned details of the situation and other available data on the issue calls for immediate action by the government authorities to make our society clean from this social evil. I can understand that the required change cannot occur in one day. Yet, I want to assert that the need for instant necessary initiatives is undeniable, and we must strive hard to reach our goal in this regard. As per my understanding, the government should restrict the availability of prescription opioid drugs in the society. The medical practitioners should prescribe these drugs to the minimum so that people can have a minimal chance of misusing these types of drugs. Regulations regarding the use of illicit drugs by individuals must be revised so that they cannot find any flexibility in the implementation of law to this end. Drug-free community programs implemented by the government should be redesigned to comprehensively deal with the problems of individuals affected by substance abuse (“Drug-Free Communities”).

Sincerely,

(Signature)

[Your Name]

Works Cited

Abuse, National Institute on Drug. Nationwide Trends. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nationwide-trends. Accessed 23 Jan. 2020.

---. Trends & Statistics. 24 Apr. 2017, https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics.

“Drug-Free Communities.” Congressman John Sarbanes, https://sarbanes.house.gov/issues/drug-free-communities. Accessed 23 Jan. 2020.

Han, Beth, et al. “Prescription Opioid Use, Misuse, and Use Disorders in US Adults: 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 167, no. 5, 2017, pp. 293–301.

Opioid Abuse Deterrence, Research, and Recovery Act | U.S. Congressman Mark Meadows. https://meadows.house.gov/legislation/opioid-abuse-deterrence-research-and-recovery-act.htm. Accessed 23 Jan. 2020.