drug abuse essay outline

Free Drug Abuse Essay, with Outline

Published by gudwriter on June 9, 2018 June 9, 2018

If you are having any struggles getting your essay done, why don’t you buy a research proposal online at Gudwriter and our team of exerts will help you write an excellent essay or a research proposal.  

Elevate Your Writing with Our Free Writing Tools!

Did you know that we provide a free essay and speech generator, plagiarism checker, summarizer, paraphraser, and other writing tools for free?

Drug abuse essay question – Why do you think drug abuse is becoming more of a problem in our society?

Drug Abuse Sample Essay Outline

Introduction.

Thesis: Many factors contribute to the increasing drug abuse problem among the youths, but most of them revolve around poor parenting.

Paragraph 1:

The gap between parents and their children contribute to the increased drug abuse problem among young people in our society.

• Most parents are engaged in busy working schedules such that they have no time to connect with their children.
• Children turn to drug and substance abuse to manage their problems.

Paragraph 2:

Peer pressure has contributed to the increased drug abuse problem among young people in our society.

• When young people have no one to open up to about the problems they turn to their friends who introduce them to drugs.
• It becomes impossible to stop using drugs due to addiction.

Paragraph 3:

Influence from the entertainment industry.

• Most young people copy the lifestyles of their movie and music celebrities.
• They are duped into believing that what they see in movies can translate into reality.

Paragraph 4:

Increased unemployment among the youths contributes to their habit of drug and substance abuse.

• Many educated youths are jobless. Joblessness makes them feel hopeless and as failures.
• They turn into drugs to manage stress linked to unemployment.

Paragraph 5:

Curiosity has contributed to the increased drug abuse problems among youths in our society.

• Most young people become drug users as they try to experience what their peers feel when under the influence of drugs.
• Most drugs are addictive, and therefore it becomes hard to drop the habit.

Paragraph 6:

The availability of drugs in most neighborhoods has as well contributed to the increased drug abuse problem among young people in our society.

• Many youths have access to drugs, and this makes it easy for them to introduce their peers to drug and substance abuse.

Paragraph 7:

The fact drug abuse among the youth is persistent in society is a significant threat to the future of the human race given that drugs cause serious health problems to users.

• The human heart is among the body organs that get highly negatively affected by drug abuse.
• The resulting condition is known as cardiovascular disease and may largely impact the overall health of a victim.

Conclusion:

Modern society is currently facing a severe drug and substance abuse problem among the youths. Poor parenting, unemployment, influence from the entertainment industry, curiosity, availability of drugs, and peer pressure are some of the factors that contribute to this social problem. Relevant authorities should come up with mechanisms for addressing these factors.

Sample Essay on Drug Abuse

Young people are the most critical part of the population in any country. They are full of energy and should in engage in productive economic activities to improve the economy of their nations. However, they belong to the population group that is influenced by most of the evil vices in society. Sexual immorality, violent crimes, and drug abuse are some of the evils that have continued to affect young people in modern societies. Many factors contribute to the increasing drug abuse problem among the youth, but most of them revolve around poor parenting. A discussion on reasons for increased drug abuse problem in society today is provided hereof. Drugs such Marijuana has serious hallucinations problem.

The gap between parents and their children contribute to the increased drug abuse problem among young people in society. The modern-day society is defined by a high proportion of literate persons, who are attached to white collar jobs. Most of them leave for work early in the morning and go back home at night (Ahlstrom, 2002). Most working parents have house helps who help them take care of their children. The busy working schedules make it difficult for parents to have conversations with their children (Ahlstrom, 2002). When such children reach the adolescent stage and start facing personal problems, they resort to drug and substance abuse as a way of relieving their stresses (Ahlstrom, 2002). Continued use of such drugs leads to addiction, and with time many such young people become drug addicts.

Peer pressure has also significantly contributed to the increased drug abuse problem among young people in society. As mentioned above, modern-day parents have no time to converse and connect with their children due to busy working schedules (Ahlstrom, 2002). Therefore, when such children face life difficulties, they are likely to consult their friends or other seniors to help them manage such problems (Ahlstrom, 2002). These seniors and friends will likely introduce them to drugs by making them believe that they will solve their problems in this manner (Ahlstrom, 2002). By the time such young people realize that drug and substance abuse does not help them solve their life problems, it is often too late as most of them will already have been addicted.

Another key contributor to increased drug abuse among young people in society today is influence from the entertainment industry. Most young people are fans of movies and different genres of music. The most modern of films often have scenes where main characters are drug users, who live high-end lives and enjoy themselves to the fullest (Morera et al., 2015). The movies display such actors as being endowed with everything in life, ranging from wealth and money to other life desires (Morera et al., 2015). Young people are then duped into copying these lifestyles with the belief that they will lead lives similar to those of their movie celebrities, but this never comes to reality. The same is also reflected in music videos, where stars drive expensive vehicles and engage in unending parties characterize by drug use (Morera et al., 2015).  In a bid to copy these celebrities, young people end up participating in drug and substance abuse.

Further, increased drug and substance abuse among the youth may be blamed on increased unemployment among this segment of the human population. The number of unemployed youth is increasing as days go by in many countries. Many governments across the world have failed to address this problem, subjecting many young people to reduced living standards (Ayllon & Ferreira-Batista, 2017). Many of these youths are well-educated, and they pursued education with the desire of living decent lives. However, upon completing their studies, they fail to secure employment. Most of them lose hope and regard themselves as failures (Ayllon & Ferreira-Batista, 2017). To cope with the stress and depression that emanates from this kind of negligence, most of them turn to drug and substance abuse that in turn affects their ability to participate in productive activities.

Further, curiosity could also be one of the factors responsible for the increased drug abuse problem among the youth. Most young people are driven into abusing drugs out of curiosity. When they see their peers using certain substances, they also feel tempted to test the feeling (Chakravarthy, Shah & Lotfipour, 2013). The problem is that most drugs are addictive, and once an individual has had a taste of them, the situation can easily degenerate into an addiction (Chakravarthy, Shah & Lotfipour, 2013). With time, such people develop serious drug problems that end up affecting their families and themselves. The idea that drugs are the answer to one’s challenges drives many youths into trying out different drugs and substances.

Another factor fueling drug use among young people is ready drug availability. Governments have failed to control sale of drugs in most countries, making most of the drugs and substances abused by the youth readily available (Chakravarthy, Shah & Lotfipour, 2013). Scholars in society have as well remained ignorant about the issue of drug availability in most neighborhoods (Chakravarthy, Shah & Lotfipour, 2013). On the same note, the youth are not aware of the dangers that drug and substance abuse causes to their bodies (Chakravarthy, Shah & Lotfipour, 2013). Due to the availability of the drugs in many neighborhoods, it becomes quiet easy for young people to introduce their peers to drug and substance abuse.

The fact that drug abuse among the youth is persistent in society is a significant threat to the future of the human race given that drugs cause serious health problems to users. The human heart is among the body organs that get highly negatively affected by drug abuse. Alcohol and substance abuse lead to the ingestion of harmful substances that may cause the health of the heart to deteriorate. The resulting condition is known as cardiovascular disease and may largely impact the overall health of a victim. Defined, cardiovascular disease is the failure by the tissues of the heart to fully perform their normal functions as a result of being damaged or becoming dysfunctional (Madras and Kuhar, 2013). The condition causes a deterioration in health through its related conditions and complications such as myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac arrhythmias , and coronary artery disease.

The modern society is facing one of the most terrible social problem, which is drug and substance abuse among young people. Lack of communication among parents and their children makes them consult their peers when faced with life difficulties, who in turn introduce them to drugs. Influence of the entertainment industry and unemployment has also contributed to increased drug use among youths in our society. The availability of remedies and curiosity are as well critical contributors to the drug use menace among our teens. It is the high time that the concerned authorities come up with a solution to these problems.

Ayllon, S., & Ferreira-Batista, N. N. (2017). Unemployment, drugs and attitudes among European youth.  Journal of Health Economics .

Chakravarthy, B., Shah, S., & Lotfipour, S. (2013). Adolescent drug abuse-Awareness & prevention.  The Indian Journal of Medical Research ,  137 (6), 1021.

Madras, B., & Kuhar, M. (2013). The effects of drug abuse on the human nervous system . New York, NY: Elsevier Science.

Morera, J. A. C., Parada, A. R. D., Ogowewo, B., Gough, H., Alava, M. M. S., Zeferino, M. T., … & Khenti, A. (2015). The role of family relations, spirituality and entertainment in moderating peer influence and drug use among students of eight universities from five countries in Latin America and three from the Caribbean.  Texto & Contexto-Enfermagem ,  24 (SPE), 106-116.

Special offer! Get 20% discount on your first order. Promo code: SAVE20

Related Posts

Free essays and research papers, artificial intelligence argumentative essay – with outline.

Artificial Intelligence Argumentative Essay Outline In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the rapidly developing fields and as its capabilities continue to expand, its potential impact on society has become a topic Read more…

Synthesis Essay Example – With Outline

The goal of a synthesis paper is to show that you can handle in-depth research, dissect complex ideas, and present the arguments. Most college or university students have a hard time writing a synthesis essay, Read more…

Examples of Spatial Order – With Outline

A spatial order is an organizational style that helps in the presentation of ideas or things as is in their locations. Most students struggle to understand the meaning of spatial order in writing and have Read more…

Essay on Drug Abuse

Here we have shared the Essay on Drug Abuse in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Drug Abuse in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams. 

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Drug Abuse in 150 words

Essay on drug abuse in 250-300 words, essay on drug abuse in 500-1000 words.

Drug abuse is a global issue that poses serious risks to individuals and society. It involves the harmful and excessive use of drugs, leading to physical and mental health problems. Drug abuse can result in addiction, organ damage, cognitive impairment, and social and economic difficulties. Prevention efforts should focus on education, raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is crucial for recovery. Strengthening law enforcement measures against drug trafficking is necessary to address the supply side of the problem. Creating supportive environments and opportunities for positive engagement can help prevent drug abuse. By taking collective action, we can combat drug abuse and build healthier communities.

Drug abuse is a growing global concern that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Drug abuse has severe consequences for individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, damage vital organs, and increase the risk of overdose. Mentally, it can cause cognitive impairment, and psychological disorders, and deteriorate overall well-being. Additionally, drug abuse often leads to social and economic problems, such as strained relationships, loss of employment, and criminal activities.

Preventing drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs play a crucial role in informing individuals about the dangers of drug abuse and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is vital to help individuals recover from substance abuse. Strengthening law enforcement efforts to curb drug trafficking and promoting international cooperation is also essential to address the supply side of the issue.

Community support and a nurturing environment are critical in preventing drug abuse. Creating opportunities for individuals, especially young people, to engage in positive activities and providing social support systems can serve as protective factors against drug abuse.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a significant societal problem with detrimental effects on individuals and communities. It requires a comprehensive approach involving education, prevention, treatment, and enforcement. By addressing the root causes, raising awareness, and providing support to those affected, we can combat drug abuse and create a healthier and safer society for all.

Title: Drug Abuse – A Global Crisis Demanding Urgent Action

Introduction :

Drug abuse is a pressing global issue that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. This essay explores the causes and consequences of drug abuse, the social and economic impact, prevention and treatment strategies, and the importance of raising awareness and fostering supportive communities in addressing this crisis.

Causes and Factors Contributing to Drug Abuse

Several factors contribute to drug abuse. Genetic predisposition, peer pressure, stress, trauma, and environmental influences play a role in initiating substance use. The availability and accessibility of drugs, as well as societal norms and cultural acceptance, also influence drug abuse patterns. Additionally, underlying mental health issues and co-occurring disorders can drive individuals to self-medicate with drugs.

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse has devastating consequences on individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Substance abuse affects vital organs, impairs cognitive function, and increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, are often associated with drug abuse. Substance abuse also takes a toll on relationships, leading to strained family dynamics, social isolation, and financial instability. The social and economic costs of drug abuse include increased healthcare expenses, decreased productivity, and the burden on criminal justice systems.

Prevention and Education

Preventing drug abuse requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs are essential in schools, communities, and the media to inform individuals about the risks and consequences of drug abuse. Promoting healthy coping mechanisms, stress management skills, and decision-making abilities can empower individuals to resist peer pressure and make informed choices. Early intervention programs that identify at-risk individuals and provide support and resources are crucial in preventing substance abuse.

Treatment and Recovery

Access to quality healthcare and evidence-based addiction treatment is vital in addressing drug abuse. Treatment options include detoxification, counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments. Rehabilitation centers, support groups, and outpatient programs provide a continuum of care for individuals seeking recovery. Holistic approaches, such as addressing co-occurring mental health disorders and promoting healthy lifestyles, contribute to successful long-term recovery. Support from family, friends, and communities plays a significant role in sustaining recovery and preventing relapse.

Law Enforcement and Drug Policies

Effective law enforcement efforts are necessary to disrupt drug trafficking and dismantle illicit drug networks. International cooperation and collaboration are crucial in combating the global drug trade. Additionally, drug policies should focus on a balanced approach that combines law enforcement with prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies. Shifting the emphasis from punitive measures toward prevention and rehabilitation can lead to more effective outcomes.

Creating Supportive Communities:

Fostering supportive communities is vital in addressing drug abuse. Communities should provide resources, social support networks, and opportunities for positive engagement. This includes promoting healthy recreational activities, providing vocational training, and creating safe spaces for individuals in recovery. Reducing the stigma associated with drug abuse and encouraging empathy and understanding are crucial to building a compassionate and supportive environment.

Conclusion :

Drug abuse remains a complex and multifaceted issue with far-reaching consequences. By addressing the causes, raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, providing quality treatment and support services, and fostering supportive communities, we can combat drug abuse and alleviate its impact. It requires collaboration and a collective effort from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to build a society that is resilient against the scourge of drug abuse. Through education, prevention, treatment, and compassion, we can pave the way toward a healthier and drug-free future.

Related Posts

Essential Elements of Valid Contract (Explained With Examples)

What is World Population? Main Causes, Effects, Top 20 Countries

Drug Abuse - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Drug abuse, the chronic or habitual use of drugs to alter one’s mood, emotion, or state of consciousness, is a severe social and health issue. Essays on drug abuse could explore the causes and consequences of drug abuse, the various types and classifications of drugs, and the societal reactions to drug abuse. Discussions might also cover prevention and treatment strategies, the portrayal of drug abuse in media and literature, and the ongoing efforts by governments and organizations to combat drug abuse and its detrimental effects. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Drug Abuse you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

What are some Solutions to Drug Abuse?

Nowadays, many people have thought that drugs are viable solution for personal problems or any other situations that affect the life of a person, but eventually, if a person reads the words drugs, it becomes a real problem in the current society. Therefore, there are factors that expose the drugs as an issue in the society. How can we understand this point? First, the abuse of different substances and drugs are one of the most common situations that teenagers and […]

Teenage Drug Abuse

There is a major concern about the teenage drug use today. Within the ages 15 through 24, fifty percent of deaths (from homicides, accidents, suicides) involve drugs. The two common reasons why teens use drugs are anxiety and depression. Factors like peer pressure, desire to escape, curiosity, emotional struggles, and stress may also lead to the consumption of drugs or alcohol. Teens are more likely to abuse drugs than adults because the part of their brain used for judgment and […]

Drug Addictions

Drug addictions are something that many people in America face. A lot of families today face a person who is a drug addict or an alcoholic and this is breaking up families. People can help people addicted to drugs by providing community support, education,and teaching drug addicts how to deal with stress after overcoming addiction. Community and support groups are a great ways and opportunities for recovering addicts to be able to meet and befriend people who are also going […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Poverty and Drug Abuse Addiction

One popular stereotype associated with drug use is that it is rampant among the poor. However, this is not entirely true since insufficient money linked with the poor cannot probably sustain drug use. The link between the two factors is multifaceted, and the connectedness of poverty is complex. Poverty entails unstable family and interpersonal associations, low-skilled jobs and low status, high arrest degrees, illegitimacy, school dropping out, deprived physical health, high mental conditions, and high mortality rates. Such factors resemble […]

Background on Drug Abuse

Drug abuse has been around for as long as the world has been created. Drug abuse dates back to the early 5000 B.C. when the Sumerians used opium, suggested by the fact that they have an ideogram for it which has been translated as HUL, meaning joy or rejoicing (Lindesmith, 2008). It then occurred often later on because indigenous South Americans chewed on coca leaves in the rainforest as a type of ritual, giving them stimulation and energy. Since then, […]

Drug Testing

For every student who complains that drug testing is an invasion of his or hers privacy we can show you a hundred parents who have lost their children to drugs. With drug testing students get a safe place where they can learn. Even the teachers are better off with this, because with less drugs schools are much safer. Should High School students or even college students be routinely tested for drug use? Before you answer think about this as a […]

Drug Abuse in Sports

Drug abuse occurs in all sports and at most levels of competition. Athletic life may lead to drug abuse for a number of reasons,, to self-treat injuries, and retirement from sport. Most sport organizations ban the use of any drug that can help your ability to excel in any sport. Using enhancing drugs, always have side effects like easy to anger, depression, and even death. Today people may know that athletes use steroids and performance-enhancing drugs, but it is only […]

Drug Abuse – Destructive Pattern

Drug abuse is the destructive pattern of using substances that leads to uncounted problems and diseases in the human body. It is a physical and psychological term which takes dependence on human activities. Drugs create bad effects on human life like anxiety, impaired social relations, depression, hopelessness, rejection etc. Impaired social relations and suicide are considered the worst consequences of addiction. The drugs have negative consequences on one's life. If the addicts were able to see the reality of their […]

The Truth about Drugs – Illegal Drugs

A close amount of 280 million people consume illegal drugs. The most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana or weed. According to the United Nations 2008 World Drug Report close to 3.9% of the earth's population between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse marijuana. Many teenagers and adults abuse drugs everyday. According to many sources a lot of people who let drugs control their lives have turned their life around and made a successful life. While others are still […]

Drug Abuse in the United States

Drug abuse in the United States has long been a topical issue and persists even today. Many different reasons make people get addicted as well as different levels to which people get dependent on drugs. Opioid use and abuse may start out of curiosity while others take them as prescribed medication for treatment but in the long run, they get addicted. In the United States, many people label Opioid addiction as a health problem rather than drug addiction. The reason […]

Effects of Drug Abuse on Families

Abstract In the USA, the family units have emerged to much complicated. Families continue to evolve ranging from the extended, nuclear and up to the single parenting family setups. Others are the stepfamilies, multigenerational and the foster types of families. Thus, abuse by a member of the family of substances may result in differences based on the formation of the family itself. This paper presents a discussion on the issues of treatment that may emerge within the various structures of […]

Drugs – Escape from Reality

Who wants to escape from reality? You must go for Drugs then. A phenomenon used by all fools in today's world. Drug abuse is when one misuses the drugs in a harmful way. Drug addiction is harmful not only for the addicted but also has a lot of negative effects on society. There is no country in the world where such a problem doesn't exist. Today this issue is often being discussed by doctors who claim that dope abuse mainly […]

Drug Abuse Prevention and Control

The deep, energetic and sonorous voice of Whitney Houston that graced our ears will truly be missed. She was found dead in her house as a result of cocaine overdose. She was about 48 when she died. So will young Mac Miller and Lil Peep- talented celebrities who died of accidental fentanyl overdose at a very young age. Their stories, we heard due to the status they have achieved in the society. There are millions of other young people all […]

Drug Abuse in the Community i Live in

The overwhelming problem of drug abuse in Decatur, Illinois has developed into a major issue. For example, Heroin, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, prescription opioids, marijuana, and meth are being sold and used at an epidemic rate. Some cities drug problems might be worse than Decatur's, however, for the small size of this city, the drug abuse is phenomenal. Although some people might not see drug addiction as an illness, people are not drug addicts by choice, but after trying the […]

Drug Abuse and Overdosing Deaths

Drug abuse and overdosing are a grave issue that is affecting the nation. The death rate has increased intensely in recent years in United States due to Overdosing on drugs with number of deaths doubling every nine years including accidental and unintentional deaths. (Cunningham, 2018). The abuse and dependence to opioids- including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription drugs for pain relief is a serious nationwide catastrophe that disturbs communal health and as well as economical, psychological, social, and physiological welfare. The […]

The Drug Abuse Across the United States of America

The drug abuse across the United States of America has been noticed as a tremendous problem since the past thirty years, whether it being the use of prescription drugs or illicit drugs. According to the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, (NIDA, 2015) it is estimated that 24.6 million Americans, in 2013, from ages twelve and older had used illicit drugs. Americans generally take drugs for variety reasons, that being to feel better, be better, or do better. […]

Most Drugs and Medicated Substances Can be Beneficial

People do misuse drugs and medications. Drug abuse occurs when an individual excessively exploits a drug or medication outside of its original function, which could result in harm to the user, their families, and even their community (Huffman & Dowdell, 2015). Abusing drugs can cause hazardous consequences that will affect a person from a biological, psychological, and social standpoint. Fortunately, drug abuse can be prevented and treated. The Foundation Recovery Network (2018) expresses that drug abuse and drug addiction are […]

Effects of Parental Alcoholism and Drug Abuse on Teens

Addiction is a word very common in our day to day lives, but not very many people actually know what it is or how to treat it. It is an individualistic disease that can infect everybody, not just a certain group of people, with damages that can ripple through families for years to come. Addiction within parents can have effects lasting lifetimes within the family and can also have a huge societal impact. For many, addiction is a scary word, […]

Student: Drug Abuse, Struggle, and Health Risks.

Today’s student faces many risks, including drug abuse, struggle, and health risks. Reacting to these risks before they become more serious dilemmas can be difficult. One of the purposes of dealing with drug abuse is to encourage the public to understand the causes of drug abuse and to prevent its onset. Drug abuse has serious consequences in our homes, schools, and communities. The use of all illegal drugs and the inappropriate use of licit drugs is considered drug abuse. Teens […]

Drug Abuse Among Students

Medication manhandle is these days one of the gravest social damages. Late years have encountered an extreme ascent in sedate manhandle among school and college understudies. In America today, more people struggle with some kind of addiction to drugs than in the past. Alcohol use is high among college students and places them at risk for health problems, injuries, and poor academic performance. Drugs have a chemical effect that damage the brain and body. Drugs have shown to interfere with […]

The Correlation between Adult Drug Abusers and Children

The National Institute on drug abuse estimates that a quarter of children in the U.S. grow up in households where there is substance abuse. It makes them 8 times more likely to develop an addiction of their own. Many children are unfortunate enough to have to pay the consequences that drug abusing adults indirectly throw at them. Many of these children grow up to be adults who have, over time, developed the same habits. Others have no control over the […]

Substance Abuse and Development

Substance abuse can be defined as the overindulgence in addictive substance or the reliance on an addictive substance, especially illicit drugs like crystal methamphetamine and others. Methamphetamine, or meth, as it is popularly called is a highly addictive stimulant that creates a feeling of energy, heightened alertness and euphoria. It is synthetically prepared, using toxic and flammable chemicals and side effects include irregular and rapid heartbeat, hyperthermia, convulsions, stroke, insomnia, high blood pressure, restlessness, and tremors . Meth can be […]

Prescription Drug Abuse

In reading the articles 'Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use Among US Young Adults by Educational Attainment,' 'Ethnic/Racial Differences in Peer and Parent Influence on Adolescent Prescription Drug Misuse,' and 'Influences of Motivational Contexts on Prescription Drug Misuse and Related Drug Problems', they all highlight the misuse of prescription drug use by young adults. Each article provides its unique interpretation of studies concerning how and why youth misuse prescription drugs on an ethnic level. The articles also discuss the risks of prescription […]

Drug Abuse in Athletes

Is taking drugs to boost yourself up just to win or maybe even break a record really worth losing your career over? All the hard work you put in over the years, just for it to be taken away from you in a second over performance enhancing drugs because you wanted to win. Maybe your injury was so bad that you need to use illegal drugs to cure it without doctor orders. As a result, to this you could risk […]

Investigation of the Effects of Drug Abuse

ABSTRACT In investigation of the effects of drug abuse on adolescents' academic performance various theoretical perspectives were utilized and strategies to curb drug use were also identified. The study was conducted in Triangle: Chiredzi; Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe. The participants were from 3 High schools. The students' ages were ranging from 12 to 21 years. A descriptive survey design combining both qualitative and quantitative research strategies was employed. The researcher used a purposive sampling technique. The sample size represented 10% […]

The Truth of Drug Abuse

As Nathan Driskell once said, Addiction is the only prison where the locks are on the inside. Addiction is a common issue and numerous people don't realize. Over twenty million Americans under the age of 18 are already addicted to a drug. Drug abuse is a major concern despite a person's race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, social status, or religion. Addictions can affect anyone and can be caused by a variety of reasons. To overcome an addiction and staying drug […]

People with an Addiction have a Mental Illness

6.8 million people with an addiction have a mental illness. When people think about addictions they automatically think about a drug addiction. Although it is the most common addiction in America, there are plenty of other addictions. For example, Food addiction, video game addiction, working addiction, and an exercising addiction just to name a few. An addiction is abusing the use of a substance and that can be bad for you if you use too much of it. There are […]

What is Drug and Drug Abuse?

Drugs are substances that can affect the body’s function either physically or mentally, and also kill many cells in our body when we consume them. There are many factors that contribute to drug addiction. One of these factors is peer pressure. Many people succumb to peer pressure, but this is particularly prevalent among teenagers and children, as they are not yet mature mentally, and tend to emulate their surroundings. As an example, if a person has loved ones or friends […]

Reflection of Motivation of Early Dropout from Drug Abuse Treatment

The correlation between early dropout addicts and lack of motivation. Simpson created three scales used to determine the stages of cognitive treatment. Simpson and Joe constructed a theory that different lifestyles can influence how the client will succeed in the treatment program. This study's motive is to test the accuracy of three motivation levels for early treatment dropouts. This study consist of 311 clients, addicts, with diverse socio demographics that are located in Corpus Christi, Dallas, And Houston. The clients […]

Drug Abuse: War on Drugs

Drug abuse has been happening over so many years and it’s bad for our community. A drug isn't a good thing to mess with it understandable if its used for reasonable reasons but more than needed is drug abuse. Some people disagree with this and opposed to other side drugs are good for our community. Many people coming back from the war will be addicted to drugs and alcohol due to the massage amount of drugs that is given to […]

Additional Example Essays

• Substance Abuse and Mental Illnesses
• Drunk Driving
• Homelessness Problem In LA
• Driving While Intoxicated Persuasive Essay
• War On Drugs and Mass Incarceration
• Why the Drinking Age Should NOT be Lowered
• The Great Gatsby and Prohibition
• Leadership and the Army Profession
• Why College Should Not Be Free
• Shakespeare's Hamlet Character Analysis
• A Raisin in the Sun Theme

How To Write an Essay About Drug Abuse

Understanding the complexity of drug abuse.

When tackling an essay about drug abuse, it's essential to first comprehend the intricacies of the topic. Drug abuse, a prevalent issue globally, involves the chronic or habitual use of drugs for non-medical purposes, leading to health hazards and socio-economic problems. In your introduction, define drug abuse and distinguish it from drug use and addiction. Address the multifaceted nature of the issue, encompassing psychological, physiological, and societal dimensions. This foundation is crucial for guiding your exploration of drug abuse, its causes, effects, and potential solutions. Recognizing the sensitivity and complexity of this topic is key to writing an insightful and respectful essay.

Analyzing Causes and Effects

The body of your essay should delve into the causes and effects of drug abuse. Explore the various factors that can lead to drug abuse, such as psychological distress, peer pressure, socio-economic status, and exposure to drugs in the family or community. Then, discuss the ramifications of drug abuse on individuals, families, and society. These effects can include health issues, strained relationships, financial problems, and societal costs like increased crime and healthcare expenses. Use specific examples and data to support your points, while maintaining a compassionate tone, acknowledging that individuals suffering from drug abuse often face a complex interplay of challenges.

Addressing Prevention and Treatment

In this section, shift your focus to prevention and treatment strategies for drug abuse. Discuss different approaches to preventing drug abuse, such as education and awareness programs, policy changes, and community support initiatives. Then, examine the various treatment options available, including medical interventions, counseling, rehabilitation programs, and support groups. It's crucial to discuss the importance of a holistic approach to treatment, which addresses not just the physical aspect of addiction but also the psychological and social factors. This part of your essay should highlight the importance of compassion and support in addressing drug abuse, rather than solely punitive measures.

Concluding with a Call to Awareness and Action

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points and emphasizing the importance of addressing drug abuse in society. Reflect on the need for increased awareness, better prevention strategies, and effective treatment programs. Encourage readers to consider the role they can play in combating drug abuse, whether through personal support, advocacy, or policy change. A strong conclusion will not only provide closure to your essay but also inspire a sense of responsibility and urgency in dealing with this critical issue.

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Presentations made painless

• Get Premium

100 Drug Abuse Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Drug abuse is a serious issue that affects individuals, families, and communities all over the world. It has devastating consequences on physical and mental health, relationships, and society as a whole. Writing an essay on drug abuse can help raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse and addiction. If you are struggling to come up with a topic for your essay, here are 100 drug abuse essay topic ideas and examples to inspire you:

• The impact of drug abuse on mental health
• The role of genetics in substance abuse
• The relationship between poverty and drug addiction
• The effects of drug abuse on the brain
• The connection between drug abuse and crime
• The role of peer pressure in drug abuse
• The impact of drug abuse on families
• The prevalence of prescription drug abuse
• The dangers of synthetic drugs
• The relationship between drug abuse and homelessness
• The effects of drug abuse on academic performance
• The connection between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS
• The role of social media in promoting drug use
• The impact of drug abuse on the LGBTQ+ community
• The dangers of mixing drugs and alcohol
• The relationship between drug abuse and domestic violence
• The effects of drug abuse on pregnancy
• The connection between drug abuse and mental illness
• The role of trauma in substance abuse
• The impact of drug abuse on the criminal justice system
• The prevalence of drug abuse among teenagers
• The dangers of vaping and e-cigarette use
• The relationship between drug abuse and overdose deaths
• The effects of drug abuse on liver health
• The connection between drug abuse and risky sexual behavior
• The role of drug abuse in human trafficking
• The dangers of synthetic marijuana
• The relationship between drug abuse and eating disorders
• The effects of drug abuse on the immune system
• The connection between drug abuse and suicide
• The role of drug abuse in the opioid epidemic
• The impact of drug abuse on the elderly population
• The prevalence of drug abuse in the music industry
• The dangers of using performance-enhancing drugs
• The relationship between drug abuse and body image issues
• The effects of drug abuse on the environment
• The connection between drug abuse and human trafficking
• The role of drug abuse in gang violence
• The impact of drug abuse on first responders
• The dangers of using prescription drugs recreationally
• The relationship between drug abuse and PTSD
• The connection between drug abuse and homelessness
• The role of drug abuse in the entertainment industry
• The prevalence of drug abuse in the workplace
• The dangers of using synthetic drugs
• The relationship between drug abuse and mental health stigma
• The effects of drug abuse on brain development in adolescents
• The connection between drug abuse and child abuse
• The role of drug abuse in sex trafficking
• The impact of drug abuse on the foster care system
• The dangers of using drugs while pregnant
• The relationship between drug abuse and poverty
• The effects of drug abuse on the LGBTQ+ community
• The connection between drug abuse and gun violence
• The role of drug abuse in the refugee crisis
• The impact of drug abuse on indigenous communities
• The prevalence of drug abuse in the military
• The dangers of using drugs at music festivals
• The relationship between drug abuse and cyberbullying
• The effects of drug abuse on creativity
• The connection between drug abuse and climate change
• The role of drug abuse in political corruption
• The impact of drug abuse on the healthcare system
• The dangers of using drugs at raves
• The relationship between drug abuse and self-harm
• The connection between drug abuse and animal cruelty
• The role of drug abuse in child labor
• The impact of drug abuse on the arts community
• The prevalence of drug abuse in the fashion industry
• The dangers of using drugs in the workplace
• The relationship between drug abuse and celebrity culture
• The connection between drug abuse and social media addiction
• The role of drug abuse in gentrification
• The impact of drug abuse on the education system
• The dangers of using drugs at music concerts
• The relationship between drug abuse and body dysmorphia
• The connection

Want to create a presentation now?

Instantly Create A Deck

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Hassle Free

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

© 2023 Pitchgrade

• Environment
• Information Science
• Social Issues
• Argumentative
• Cause and Effect
• Classification
• Compare and Contrast
• Descriptive
• Exemplification
• Informative
• Controversial
• Exploratory
• What Is an Essay
• Length of an Essay
• Generate Ideas
• Types of Essays
• Structuring an Essay
• Outline For Essay
• Essay Introduction
• Thesis Statement
• Body of an Essay
• Writing a Conclusion
• Essay Writing Tips
• Drafting an Essay
• Revision Process
• Fix a Broken Essay
• Format of an Essay
• Essay Examples
• Essay Checklist
• Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Research Paper
• Write My Research Paper
• Write My Essay
• Custom Essay Writing Service
• Admission Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Essay
• Academic Ghostwriting
• Write My Book Report
• Case Study Writing Service
• Dissertation Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Lab Report Writing Service
• Do My Assignment
• Buy College Papers
• Capstone Project Writing Service
• Buy Research Paper
• Custom Essays for Sale

Can’t find a perfect paper?

• Free Essay Samples

Essays on Drug Abuse

Your drug abuse essay should shed some light on drug abuse as a personal and societal issue. After all, drugs are not just substances that are harmful to health – they rapidly and irreversibly destroy both the human body and personality. Effects of drugs on mental health are something that not all essay-writers mention in their drug abuse essays. We talk about drug abuse more and more often nowadays, we read about it in the press and essays on drug abuse, we listen to podcasts about it, we hear of the tragedies that happened in the families of our friends due to drug use. Particularly concerning is the fact that drug addiction has a “young face” – the majority of drug abusers are people between the ages of 14 and 30. Our drug abuse essay samples will reveal some frightening statistics on drug use – give the samples a read.

The effects of illegal drug use in the United States has been extensively researched based on four factors: race, gender, age, and income. According to De Wit (2008, p.22), there is a subcultural theory that explains how certain social groups have an impending influence on opinions about drugs, pressure on...

Words: 2691

Keywords: age, race, gender, illegal drugs, strain theory, labeling theory, socioeconomic status Drug abuse is the habit of using drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and hallucinogens marijuana. It is rampant in both adolescents and adults because most people only take pleasure in doing illegal things. People use drugs to the extent...

The new program seeks to help youth quit drugs and drug abuse and it will offer recovery training as well as self-management skills. The program will be a self-help program that enables youths to work together to address and change behaviors that are dangerous like drinking, smoking and drug use...

Inappropriate use of drugs is a problem leading to myriads of challenges to the life of people across the world. In addition to harming the users, the drugs affect the life of family members. Moreover, the life of the society has a high potential of being affected by the mayhem...

According to Bowser et al., (2014), there has been increased prevalence in drug and substance abuse especially among young people. In the research titled, “Get drunk. Smoke weed. Have fun.” A Content Analysis of Tweets about Marijuana and Alcohol,” the authors’ general question was, “What themes of the most influential...

Words: 1219

 The human body displays various reactions that are characterized by opposing tendencies. Such tendencies affect flight and fight reactions, feeling hungry, and nerve firing among many other body processes. This paper will use psychological and physical mechanisms to explain how various opposing processes apply to the automatic nervous system, color...

Found a perfect essay sample but want a unique one?

Request writing help from expert writer in you feed!

Substance abuse is the hazardous use of substances that affect the mind such as illicit drugs and alcohol. Repeated use of psychoactive substances has the potential of causing dependence syndrome. The addiction manifests itself typically through various cognitive, behavioral and physiological phenomena that emerge after chronic substance use and the...

Words: 1157

The link between juvenile delinquency and drug use has significant implication in the adolescent justice interventions. Many studies have indicated that most juveniles that get involved with crime tend to have problems with drug use (Gatti, Tremblay, Vitaro, " McDuff, 2005). Therefore, gaining more understanding concerning the dynamic patterns of...

Words: 2609

Several strategies for primary prevention Several strategies which are appropriate uses educational involvements aimed at primary preventions alongside targeting people who are higher-risk of the overdose. In the university several students higher risk of using opioid for the reasons which are well known to them. There are those having chronology of...

Words: 1325

Travel costs: While distributing posters and questionnaires the travel cost for the individuals involved in the program is estimated to be $200 Printing and copying: The cost of printing and duplicating posters and questionnaires is estimated to be $100 Supplies: Food will be supplied to all the participants throughout the weeks (10*$50=$500) Self-defense teachers:...

Monroe, Todd, and Heidi Kenaga. "Don't ask don't tell: substance abuse and addiction among nurses." Journal of Clinical Nursing 20.0962-1067 (2011): 505. Print. The article describes the challenges faced by nurses who are addicted to substance abuse. It highlights the responsibility of administrators, providers, and students of identifying practitioners who are...

Emerging Issues in the World Emerging issues in the world have taken a divergent scope influenced by the ever dynamic life of man. It is quite clear that observable steps can be seen when it all started to the war against servitude during the dark ages, military demonstration in the era...

Words: 1028

Related topic to Drug Abuse

Please wait while we process your request

Writing About Drug Abuse

Academic writing

Essay paper writing

Drug abuse essay writing is perhaps one of the most important tasks that you may get in university or college. The global problem of the excessive use of narcotics and its effects is a popular topic for essays and research papers in any country.

Of course, there is a tremendous amount of information about drug abuse and addiction. You may think that this is exactly what makes it easier to write a drug abuse essay, but many students believe that this fact makes the task more challenging to cope with. Why? Because such a surplus of information requires performing much deeper and broader research in order to make your essay original.

Finally, there are so many students all around the world that have written drug addiction essays throughout the years that it is especially hard to add anything to topic. Don’t worry though as Pro-Papers is here to help you anytime you need it! So just relax and read this article with a bunch of priceless insights on how to write an original essay about drug abuse and trafficking.

How to choose the best topic?

Starting from the history of the problem of the addiction and up until the recent inventions in treatment forms, you can pick any topic that ignites a desire for deeper research. Thus, whether you care more about the chemical nature of addiction or are concerned with the ways of helping people suffering from drug abuse, any of these topics can be used for writing a good drugs essay. So the most important thing in this case is that the topic you choose has to be really interesting for you to research and write on.

Essay topics on drug addiction

Finally, get acquainted with some best drug essay topics that you can do a research on pretty quickly:

• Effects of drug usage essay
• Essay on narcotic drugs
• Drug abuse and illicit trafficking essay
• Drug discovery and development essay
• Drug awareness essay
• Essay on why drugs are bad
• Essay on drug abuse and governmental regulations
• Essay on drug addiction among youth
• Opioid epidemic essay
• Essay on drug abuse and its prevention
• Drug legalization essay
• Essay on heroin and its usage in medicine
• Drug menace essay
• How to prevent drug abuse essay
• Drug abuse among youth essay: Causes and effects
• Opioid addiction essay
• Opioid overdose essay
• Opioid use essay: Why do people become addicted?
• Drug rehabilitation essay: Programs available to addicted individuals
• Drug prevention essay
• Opioids essay: Addiction to prescription medication
• Drug addiction recovery essay

If you don’t feel like writing on any of these topics, do not worry! There are a lot of essay topics on drug addiction on the Web, and you will definitely find the one that works for you.

Writing a drug abuse essay

When you are asked to write an essay about drugs abuse, you have to take certain aspects into consideration.

Creating a drug addiction essay outline

Drug addiction essay outline is among the most important aspects you need to consider in the drug essay writing process. Let’s review the basic essay structure that you will likely have to stick to:

• Introduction. Here, you need to present a hook sentence with an interesting fact or statistics and develop a strong thesis statement. The latter needs to cover the drug abuse essay questions that you will focus on in the paper.
• Drug abuse essay body. A regular essay is usually 3-5 paragraphs long. In these paragraphs, you need to elaborate on the statements you make in your thesis and reinforce all your arguments with evidence and facts.
• Conclusion for a drug essay. In this final part, you have to restate the thesis statement and summarize all the essential points made in the body of the paragraph.

We strongly recommend working on a drug abuse college essay only after having perfectly shaped an essay outline. The more details you add to it before you start writing, the easier it will be to create your first draft. For example, you may indicate what kind of information you will cover in each drug addiction essay paragraph and even the sources you will use to support certain statements. Having such an elaborate plan, it would be rather hard to create anything short of an A+ paper.

Choosing drug addiction essay titles

Creating a title is also an important part of your working process. It’s advisable to work on titles for an essay after you finish your paper and have a clear understanding of everything you have covered in it. You can think about some catchy title before you start writing and revise it in the end. However, coming up with one once you are done with your paper would be just fine.

Writing clearly

You need to make sure that you are writing your drug addiction essay in simple language. It’s not a good idea to write long and vague sentences and use a lot of terminology. Your essay has to be crystal-clear for any person that may read it and should not be too extensive. You may find some examples of a drug essay on the Web to see how the ideas are presented in those papers.

Writing a drug trafficking essay

Narcotics trafficking is perhaps the most topical problem that is considered by drug opponents nowadays, which is why it requires special consideration. Working on a drug trafficking research essay is always a good idea as there is a variety of available information and a lot of topics you may choose from. Let’s review the main things you need to know to write a good drug trafficking essay.

Drug trafficking essay outline

• Drug trafficking essay introduction. Typically, introduction for a drug essay counts as one of the most important paragraphs of the whole paper for one simple reason – it presents the issue you are going to discuss and emphasizes its topicality and importance. The first thing you have to take care of in this part is the topic sentence for your drug trafficking essay, which presents the issues you are going to consider in your paper. So, make sure you hooked your readers with some interesting facts or statistics so that they would like to continue reading your text.
• Drug trafficking essay thesis statement. Remember that a good thesis statement has to be clear, strong, and unique. Your reader has to have an understanding of the issue you are going to consider in your essay.
• Main paragraphs. This is the part where you should present all the points and arguments. Remember that the research is the most important aspect in this section because without relevant and most recent information from credible sources, you won’t be able to prove your point described in the thesis statement.
• Drug trafficking essay conclusion. This is the section in which you need to restate your thesis and summarize all the arguments mentioned previously. Also, you have to summarize all the important points made in your paper and 2-3 sentences will be more than enough. Here, you are just wrapping up the discussion that you have presented in the body of the paper, so you cannot add any new information.

Drug trafficking essay topics

Before presenting you with the topics, we would like to recommend working on drug trafficking argumentative essay instead of a regular one if possible, as this essay type is perfect for such a topic.

And now, here is top 10 topic for an argumentative essay about drug trafficking.  Maybe some of them may serve your as good drug trafficking essay titles:

• Why should drug trafficking be stopped?
• How to tackle drug trafficking in the US?
• How to prevent drug trafficking essay
• Effects of international drug trafficking
• Should drug traffickers serve life sentences?
• How to stop drug trafficking essay
• Are drug crimes the worst?
• Is drug trafficking depiction in the films and TV series harmful?
• Should drug traffickers be sentenced to death?
• The best and the worst drug enforcement strategies

The importance of writing essays on drug abuse for students

Writing an essay about narcotics is popular at all times, especially among students who study in colleges and live on campus. Usually, excessive amounts of alcohol and narcotics are easily accessible in the circles of college and university students. That is why it is really important to discuss all the dangers of substance abuse in essays and research papers.

With that said, you should understand that spreading drug abuse awareness is crucial. If you think about this for a moment, you will realize what the most important statements that you need to include in your drug addiction essay for students are. Read some scientific literature, drug awareness essay examples, stories of former drug addicts, and various drug addiction essay quotations – and you will definitely understand how important the message you will convey in your paper is.

Your email address will not be published / Required fields are marked *

Try it now!

Calculate your price

Number of pages:

Order an essay!

Fill out the order form

Make a secure payment

Receive your order by email

Writing about Romeo and Juliet

On September 16th, Verona residents celebrate the birthday of their most beloved and popular resident: Juliet Capulet. Moreover, the whole city considers Juliet to be its guardian angel. On that day,…

29th Jul 2020

Writing About Music

Music as art appeared at the dawn of humanity. The gradual development of music and the changes in its genres reflects the significant number of historical events that society has experienced. The…

14th Jul 2020

Research paper writing

Chemistry Research Topics

Choosing a good topic is not an easy task, especially when it comes to writing a research paper or creating a project on chemistry. There are a lot of relevant issues in this field, but you should…

8th Apr 2019

Get your project done perfectly

Professional writing service

Reset password

We’ve sent you an email containing a link that will allow you to reset your password for the next 24 hours.

Please check your spam folder if the email doesn’t appear within a few minutes.

Essay on Drug/ Substance Abuse

Essay generator.

Drug and substance abuse remains one of the most challenging and destructive problems facing societies worldwide. It refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. This essay aims to delve into the complexities of drug and substance abuse, examining its causes, effects, and the crucial steps needed to address this epidemic.

Drug and Substance Abuse

Drug and Substance Abuse involves the recurrent use of drugs or substances leading to significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home. This includes the misuse of legal substances like alcohol and prescription medications, as well as illegal substances like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines.

Causes of Drug and Substance Abuse

The reasons behind drug and substance abuse are multifaceted and can vary from individual to individual:

• Genetic Predisposition : Research indicates a genetic component to the susceptibility to substance abuse.
• Mental Health Disorders : Many individuals with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD turn to substances as a form of self-medication.
• Peer Pressure : Particularly among adolescents and young adults, peer pressure can significantly influence substance use.
• Stressful Life Events : Traumatic experiences, chronic stress, or life-changing events can lead to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
• Curiosity and Experimentation : Often, particularly in young individuals, there’s a desire to experiment, which can lead to misuse and addiction.

Effects of Drug and Substance Abuse

Drug and substance abuse, a major public health challenge, affects individuals, families, and communities across the globe. This essay explores the multifaceted effects of drug and substance abuse, including physical health, mental well-being, social relationships, and broader societal impacts.

Physical Health Effects

Immediate physical effects.

• Altered State of Consciousness : Substances like alcohol, marijuana, and hallucinogens alter perception, mood, and consciousness.
• Overdose Risk : Excessive consumption of drugs can lead to overdose, potentially resulting in coma or death.
• Infectious Diseases : Intravenous drug use increases the risk of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis B and C due to needle sharing.

Long-Term Health Effects

• Organ Damage : Chronic substance abuse can lead to severe damage to vital organs like the liver (cirrhosis), heart, and brain.
• Neurological Impact : Long-term effects on the brain can include memory loss, cognitive decline, and mental health disorders.
• Physical Dependency : Prolonged use leads to dependency, where the body requires the substance to function normally.

Mental Health and Psychological Effects

• Mental Health Disorders : Substance abuse can trigger or exacerbate mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
• Behavioral Changes : Changes in behavior, such as increased aggression or impulsivity, are common.
• Cognitive Impairments : Drugs can impair decision-making abilities, judgment, and other cognitive functions.

Social and Relationship Impacts

• Family Dynamics : Drug abuse can strain family relationships, leading to conflict, mistrust, and breakdown of family structures.
• Workplace Issues : It affects job performance, leading to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and higher risk of accidents.
• Legal Problems : Substance abuse can result in legal issues, including arrests for possession, driving under the influence, or engaging in illegal activities to support the addiction.

Societal and Economic Impacts

• Healthcare Costs : Treating drug-related health complications burdens healthcare systems.
• Crime and Safety : There’s a correlation between substance abuse and increased crime rates, impacting community safety.
• Economic Burden : The economic impact includes loss of productivity, healthcare expenses, and law enforcement costs.

Prevention and Treatment

• Education and Awareness : Programs aimed at educating individuals about the risks of drug use are crucial.
• Rehabilitation Programs : Effective treatment programs, including therapy and medication-assisted treatment, help individuals recover.
• Support Systems : Family, community, and peer support are vital in the recovery process.

Addressing Drug and Substance Abuse

• Prevention Programs : Education and awareness programs, particularly targeting young people, are crucial in preventing substance abuse.
• Treatment and Rehabilitation : Access to effective treatment, including counseling, medication, and support groups, is vital for recovery.
• Policy and Regulation : Government policies to regulate the availability of substances, and laws to address drug trafficking and misuse, play a critical role.
• Community Support : Community-based efforts, including support from families, schools, and religious organizations, are essential in supporting those affected.

The Role of Society and Individuals

• Destigmatization : Removing the stigma around substance abuse and addiction encourages individuals to seek help.
• Educational Initiatives : Schools and universities should have programs to educate students about the dangers of substance abuse.
• Role Models : Influential figures and celebrities should promote healthy lifestyles and speak out against substance abuse.
• Supportive Environment : Creating an environment that fosters open discussion and support for those struggling with substance abuse.

In conclusion, Drug and substance abuse is a complex issue requiring a multifaceted approach. It is not just a personal problem but a societal challenge that calls for comprehensive prevention strategies, effective treatment programs, supportive policies, and community involvement. Understanding and addressing the root causes, along with providing support and care for those affected, is crucial in mitigating the impact of this global issue. For students participating in essay competitions, exploring this topic provides an opportunity to contribute to a critical dialogue, advocating for change and supporting those in need.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Generate an essay on the importance of extracurricular activities for student development

Write an essay discussing the role of technology in modern education.

Drug Abuse Research Paper

This sample drugs research paper on drug abuse features: 2500 words (approx. 8 pages) and a bibliography with 6 sources. Browse other research paper examples for more inspiration. If you need a thorough research paper written according to all the academic standards, you can always turn to our experienced writers for help. This is how your paper can get an A! Feel free to contact our writing service for professional assistance. We offer high-quality assignments for reasonable rates.

Drug abuse, also referred to as substance or chemical abuse, is the recurrent use of a drug despite the experience of problems caused by the drug use. Difficulties arising in certain areas of a user’s life are of more importance to researchers and treatment professionals than other areas for identification of a drug abuse problem. The following are types of problems that signify drug abuse: impairment meeting major responsibilities in life, such as those regarding school, work, or home; difficulties with the law and social behavior; and aggravation of physical/medical conditions due to drug use. Drug abuse is to be contrasted with drug (chemical/substance) dependence. With drug dependence, use is considered compulsive and beyond the willful control of the user. That is, someone who is drug dependent is addicted; this is thought to be a more severe condition than drug abuse. Treatment of drug abuse is accomplished primarily using a variety of counseling and psychotherapeutic techniques employed to assist the abuser to stop using the drug, to develop new behavioral and mental coping skills, and to rehabilitate his or her life from the damage caused by the substance abuse.

Academic Writing, Editing, Proofreading, And Problem Solving Services

Get 10% off with 24start discount code.

• Introduction
• Risk Factors and Causes of Drug Abuse
• Course of Drug Abuse
• Assessment of Drug Abuse
• Treatment of Drug Abuse
• Relapse Prevention

1. Introduction

In the discussion of drug abuse, it would be easy but inaccurate to label any regular use of a substance as abusive. Drug use in the United States is commonplace. Many people are capable of consuming drugs without developing problems. Drugs such as caffeine and alcohol, as well as prescription pharmaceutical products such as pain killing agents or antianxiety medication, are routinely and openly consumed every day in the United States (and in other countries as well). The various drugs affect the body differently and are used for specific purposes. For example, caffeine is used to remain alert and to enhance concentration, and tranquilizers are used to quell anxiety and for relaxation. However, drugs of abuse all have in common the property that they are psychoactive. For the sake of discussion, drugs may be classified with respect to different properties; one commonly employed system is in terms of the effect of the drug on the central nervous system (CNS). The following is one such classification system, with examples of drugs in each category:

• CNS stimulants: Cocaine, amphetamine, and caffeine
• CNS depressants: Alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and solvent inhalants
• Psychotomimetics (also known as psychedelics or hallucinogens): Marijuana, LSD, and mescaline
• Narcotics/Opioids: Opium, heroin, codeine, morphine, and methadone

Substance use typically begins in adolescence. Adolescent substance use does not appear to be random; that is, it follows a fairly predictable pattern. Adolescents tend to start using substances that are legal and widely available to adults: alcohol and tobacco. Due to the fact that these drugs are the starting point for substance use, they are referred to as ‘‘gateway drugs.’’ In 1975, Kandel developed a stage model of progression of drug use that has since been revised:

• Beer or wine use
• Hard liquor or cigarette use
• Marijuana experimentation
• Alcohol abuse
• Prescription drug use
• Opiates and other illegal drugs

The vast majority of adolescents experiment with the gateway drugs at least one time. However, although most individuals try alcohol and tobacco, only for a minority of adolescents does use advance to abusive levels. As the stages advance, progressively fewer adolescents are found in each category. For example, alcohol will be tried by approximately 9 out of 10 students by their senior year in high school and cigarettes by approximately 6 out of 10 students by senior year. Opiates, at the last stage of the model, will be tried by only 1 out of 100 students by senior year.

Due to the high prevalence of substance use in the United States, it should be no surprise that substance-related problems are often encountered by mental health clinicians. The relatively high frequency with which substance-related problems are encountered by mental health professionals reflects the influence of the following factors: (i) Drug abuse has the potential to create or worsen all psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, impulsive behavior, and antisocial behavior; and (ii) people seeking mental health services also tend to be at elevated risk for substance abuse problems. In other words, drug abuse harms people and contributes to psychiatric symptoms, and people experiencing psychological problems are apt to use drugs abusively.

2. Risk Factors And Causes Of Drug Abuse

With any medical or mental health condition, it is desirable to determine the cause or causes of the affliction. Identifying the cause(s) helps to develop prevention strategies to limit or eliminate future cases and treatment strategies for those already affected by the condition. For example, after the discovery that an absence of insulin was responsible for type 1 diabetes, effective treatment of diabetes with externally supplied insulin became possible. In addition, research is under way to develop early identification tests for intervention strategies to prevent later development of diabetes. This research has led to the isolation of faulty antibodies believed to attack the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The antibodies can be detected before the person is symptomatic for diabetes; experimental treatments are being used in an attempt to prevent the development of diabetes in these high-risk individuals.

Human behavior is complex and defies easy explanation. Unlike certain physical characteristics (e.g., eye color) or physical disorders that can be traced to single genes, a disorder such as drug abuse likely represents the interaction of multiple genetic and environmental influences. Complicating things further, ethics prevents us from conducting experimental studies (involving environmental or genetic manipulation) that might help us to tease apart various possible influences. One way to attempt to identify possible causes of substance abuse is to study risk factors. Risk factors are those variables associated with increased likelihood of developing a substance use disorder. Classes of risk factors are listed here with examples in each class:

• Peer: Peer substance use, strong attachment to peers, and positive peer attitudes about substance use
• Parent/family: Parent substance use, positive attitude about substance use, parent tolerance of adolescent substance use, and family disruption (e.g., divorce)
• Personal: Early (childhood) behavior problems, poor academic performance, anxiety/depression, and low self-esteem
• Biological: Genetic predisposition to substance use (e.g., a parent is a substance abuser)
• Community/social: Low socioeconomic status, high availability of substances, and deviant norms that encourage use of substances

Risk factors help us to understand influences to use substances, but we know many more people use them than become abusers. Therefore, the question as to who will progress beyond experimentation and casual use to the level of abuse is not answered by risk factors alone. It appears that use of substances is more a function of external risk factors, such as peer, social, and family factors; abuse of substances appears to be more a function of personal factors, such as psychiatric, behavioral, and emotional problems.

The biopsychosocial disease model is the most widely accepted model of substance abuse and addiction. It should be clear after reviewing the list of risk factors that biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to substance abuse. The biopsychosocial model is sufficiently comprehensive to include all known contributants to substance abuse.

3. Course Of Drug Abuse

Disease conditions are defined by several common factors, such as having identifiable causes, characteristic symptoms, and established treatments. In addition, diseases have an observable course. It is important to describe the course of an illness in part so that the condition can be identified (i.e., for diagnostic purposes). Also, if the untreated progression of an illness was not known, there would be no way to judge the effectiveness of treatment. Treatment interventions endeavor, essentially, to change the course of a disease. Initial attempts to describe and classify the course of alcohol abuse depicted an ever-worsening condition that eventuated in death, unless the drinking was stopped altogether. As it turns out, the long-term outcome of regular alcohol use is not certain death. Some people who use alcohol never develop problems, some who develop problems (alcohol abusers) never become addicted, and a minority of alcohol abusers (approximately one-third) exhibit the progressive deteriorative pattern of drinking. The same overall trends may be expected with other substances of abuse as with alcohol. In 1995, Shaffer and Robbins developed a general model to describe the typical course of an addiction, consisting of the following stages:

• Initiation: Experimentation with a drug is begun.
• Positive consequences: At this point in the use process, only the pleasurable pharmacological and social effects of the substance are experienced.
• Negative consequences: For those individuals who continue to regularly use the substance, eventually negative consequences are experienced in terms of health, relationships, work, school, finances, or the law.
• Turning point: For abusers who continue despite negative consequences, there is some recognition of the damage the substance is causing in their lives and ambivalence ensues.
• Active quitting: For some abusers, ambivalence is resolved in the direction of stopping use.
• Relapse prevention: For those who have quit, behavior changes are maintained over time to prevent resumption of drug use.

4. Assessment Of Drug Abuse

In order to treat a condition, it must first be determined that a given individual has the condition; in other words, the diagnosis of drug abuse must be made. In medicine, objective tests via technologically advanced equipment (e.g., x-ray and magnetic resonance imagery) are often used to assist the doctor in the diagnostic process. In the evaluation of drug abuse, modern technology is hardly relevant. Biological testing, in the forms of urinalysis and evaluation of saliva and blood samples, may be used but are not the mainstay of assessment. Biological testing can determine if a specific drug or drug metabolite is present in a sample but cannot indicate anything about patterns of use, withdrawal symptoms, compulsive behavior, or consequences of use, all of which are important aspects to assess. Therefore, biological testing is confined to the role of confirming recent abstinence; this information is especially important in certain settings (e.g., criminal justice system and workplace) but of limited use in a drug abuse assessment. Since we are more interested in determining whether a pattern of abusive drug use is present or not, relevant information needs to be gathered. Therefore, the interview is the primary method by which information is acquired to make the diagnosis of drug abuse. Typically, the diagnostic interview is conducted with the person in question as well as with others in a position to observe relevant behaviors (most often family members and/or close friends). In addition to the interview, information is sometimes acquired via self-report, paper-and-pencil tests. The following information is typically obtained during a drug abuse assessment:

• List all substances ever used
• Age of first use of all substances
• How used each substance (e.g., smoke, drink, snort, etc.)
• Age of peak use, and amount used, for each substance
• Number of days use substance per week, for each substance
• Amount of substance used on a typical day of use
• Date of last use of each substance
• List all negative consequences resulting from use of substances

Diagnosing a drug abuse disorder is only one element of the assessment process. It is also necessary to determine as part of the evaluation the most appropriate setting in which treatment should take place (e.g., outpatient, halfway house, or inpatient); the proper intensity of treatment (e.g., daily treatment or monthly treatment); whether other treatment needs exist (e.g., medical and/or psychological disorders); and specific, individual treatment goals for a given person.

5. Treatment Of Drug Abuse

There is no one treatment for drug abuse. This fact is a reflection of the complexity of the condition and its diverse manifestations, and it highlights the importance of the assessment process, which is critical in helping determine the best treatment for a given individual. The treatment of drug abuse may occur in different settings, with varying degrees of professional assistance (e.g., self-help/12-step and professional help) and different modalities of professional services (e.g., individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and pharmacological treatment). Drug abuse treatment may be characterized as specialized treatment with one main goal: to stop the use of the substance. Treatment is primarily talking therapy—counseling and psychotherapy; in addition, medications may be employed to manage detoxification from some drugs and/or to treat coexisting psychological or medical conditions. However, regardless of the setting of treatment, the intensity of the contact schedule, or who renders the treatment, it is ultimately talking therapy that takes place. Especially early in treatment, the focus of discussion is on behavior directly related to drug use and stopping the use of the drug. Most programs and professionals recommend complete abstinence from drugs; some have the goal of harm reduction (allowing use to continue while attempting to reduce drug use to less harmful levels), but they are in the minority. As treatment progresses, and abstinence is achieved and maintained, the emphasis usually broadens to other areas of the person’s life that may need repair, such as their decision-making skills, coping skills, emotional state, and relationships. In other words, the individual suffers psychological and social damage from drug abuse and may even have had significant deficits in these areas prior to his or her drug abuse; treatment is designed to improve the psychosocial functioning of the individual once he or she is drug-free.

6. Relapse Prevention

Drug abuse has been described as a chronic, relapsing disorder. Like all chronic conditions, long-term effort must be applied for the individual to maintain abstinence from drug use. Nobody would expect the blood sugar levels of someone with diabetes to be in a healthy range if the person only complied with the prescribed care regimen for 1 month after a visit to the physician. Likewise, if a drug abuser only applies the principles of treatment for a limited period of time, resumption of abusive habits would be expected. One way to attempt to guard against a backslide into prior behavior is to extend treatment as long as possible. In addition, teaching relapse prevention skills that an abuser may use going forward in time is an integral part of drug abuse treatment. Some common elements of relapse prevention programs include identification of high-risk situations that are likely to lead to relapse, development and practice of skills to effectively cope with risky situations, enhancement of self-confidence to be able to apply coping skills when needed, learning to limit a slip to an isolated incident rather than allow it to be the beginning of a process of abuse, drug/alcohol monitoring for abstinence verification, and developing positive behaviors (e.g., working and physical exercise).

Bibliography:

• Bukstein, O. (1995). Adolescent substance abuse: Assessment, prevention and treatment. New York: Wiley.
• Dodgen, C. E., & Shea, W. M. (2000). Substance use disorders: ssessment and treatment. San Diego: Academic Press.
• Gold, M. S. (1991). The good news about drugs and alcohol: Curing, treating and preventing substance abuse in the new age of biopsychiatry. New York: Villard.
• Kandel, D. (1975). Stages in adolescent involvement in drug use. Science, 190, 912–914.
• Schuckit, M. A. (1995). Educating yourself about alcohol and drugs: A people’s primer. New York: Plenum.
• Shaffer, H. J., & Robbins, M. (1995). Psychotherapy for addictive behavior: A stage-change approach to meaning making. In A. M. Washton (Ed.), Psychotherapy and substance abuse: A practitioner’s handbook (pp. 103–123). New York: Guilford.

ORDER HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAPER

Substance Abuse in Teenagers Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Substance abuse issue, causes of substance abuse.

I picked this topic because teenage drug addiction has prevailed in society, making it a growing problem. Teenagers frequently experiment with various activities and substances that often result in abuse and addiction. Brain development in adolescents is more vulnerable to drug deficits, which concerns society. Substance abuse causes injury, sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancies, poor mental health, and suicide. The essay presents the issues and the causes of substance abuse among adolescents.

The prevalence of drug use is higher in boys than in girls. For example, a survey conducted by Molinaro et al. (2011) presents cannabis as five times more prevalent than other drugs. Figure 1 below shows the rate of use of cannabis by male adolescents.

A comparison of the two figures shows more males using cannabis. The prevalence of cannabis in 2009 in females is 24.7, while in males, it is 33.8, which affirms that males are more subject to drug addiction than females (Molinaro et al., 2011). The results show men being the bigger addicts to heroin, cocaine, stimulants, and hallucinogens.

Drug consumption also exhibits a dynamic evolution over time influenced by cultural, political, and economic factors like changing laws and market price volatility (Molinaro et al., 2011). Despite significant legislative and social communication efforts in the field, the prevalence of drug use remained relatively unchanged for the commonly used drugs like cocaine and cannabis, with a decrease in heroin overbalanced by a significant increase in hallucinogen and stimulant use (Molinaro et al., 2011). Between 2005 and 2008, the trend for cannabis use and availability decreased while its price increased, whereas the prevalence of cocaine and stimulant use increased significantly (Molinaro et al., 2011). In spite of the various social communication and legislative initiatives to prevent substance misuse, the situation has not improved considerably.

There are various reasons why teenagers and young adults become involved with drugs. Regrettably, the root of substance abuse often goes deeper than experimentation. The availability of illegal drugs for adolescents predicts increased substance use as an adult. According to a survey conducted between 1999 and 2009, cannabis has been the most widely available illicit substance, with cocaine’s availability rising since 2006, where one out of every five students reported easy access to the drug (Molinaro et al., 2011). Substance availability influences the use of substances by adolescents as they can obtain them easily. Cannabis is a consistently available illicit drug that adolescents abuse.

An increase in the prices of illicit substances affects the rates of abuse. The cheaper the illegal drugs are, the easier it is for adolescents to access them. An example is from the survey conducted by Molinaro et al. (2011) on cannabis.

Cannabis use and availability decreased in 2006, and its price increased, although cocaine and stimulant use prevalence increased significantly from 2005 to 2006, and their price decreased (Molinaro et al., 2011). The prices set for drugs influence their abuse. The higher the set costs, the less their abuse and inversely.

Drug usage is common among high school students, with cannabis being the most common and heroin being the least. Girls are less susceptible to illicit substance use than boys. The root of substance abuse often goes deeper than experimentation. Substance availability influences the use of substances by adolescents as they can obtain them easily. In spite of the various social communication and legislative initiatives to prevent substance misuse, the situation has not improved considerably.

Molinaro, S., Siciliano, V., Curzio, O., Denoth, F., Salvadori, S., & Mariani, F. (2011). Illegal substance use among Italian high school students: Trends over 11 years (1999–2009) . PloS one , 6 (6), e20482. Web.

• Medicinal Uses of Cannabis: Pros and Cons
• Cannabis Dependence and Psychiatric Disorders: Outline
• Heroin Legalization in Switzerland
• How Opioid Addiction Affects the United States
• Why Marilyn Monroe Was Addicted to Substance Abuse
• Substance Use Prevention Among Youth
• The Role of Mitochondria in Cocaine Addiction
• Drug Laws Influnce on Different Population Groups
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, January 5). Substance Abuse in Teenagers. https://ivypanda.com/essays/substance-abuse-in-teenagers/

"Substance Abuse in Teenagers." IvyPanda , 5 Jan. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/substance-abuse-in-teenagers/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Substance Abuse in Teenagers'. 5 January.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Substance Abuse in Teenagers." January 5, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/substance-abuse-in-teenagers/.

1. IvyPanda . "Substance Abuse in Teenagers." January 5, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/substance-abuse-in-teenagers/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Substance Abuse in Teenagers." January 5, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/substance-abuse-in-teenagers/.

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Drug Abuse — Causes and Effects of Drug Abuse

Causes and Effect of Drug Abuse

• Categories: Drug Abuse Drug Addiction Drugs

About this sample

Words: 2063 |

11 min read

Published: Feb 8, 2022

Words: 2063 | Pages: 5 | 11 min read

Essay about drug abuse: causes and effects

• A reduced and weakened immune system, the chance of illness and infection got increased.
• Heart attacks from abnormal heart rates, collapsed veins and blood vessel infections from injected drugs.
• Nausea and abdominal pain can also cause changes in appetite and weight loss.
• Increased strain on the liver, this will expose this person to the risk of serious liver injury or liver failure.
• Seizures, stroke, mental confusion and brain damage.
• Lung disease.
• Problems with memory, attention and decision making, which make daily life more difficult.
• Global effects of drugs on the body, such as breast development in men and increases in body temperature, which can lead to other health problems.
• Family influence.
• Show off they are rich.
• Wrong friend making.
• Innocent of the dangerous of drug.

Works Cited

• Drugabuse.gov. (2023). Commonly Abused Drugs Charts. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
• Newcomb, M. D., & Locke, T. F. (2021). Substance abuse prevention. Oxford University Press.
• SAMHSA. (2022). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
• Shah, R. (2021). Drug abuse. CRC Press.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). A Guide to Substance Abuse Services for Primary Care Clinicians. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma18-5063.pdf
• UNODC. (2022). World Drug Report. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
• Volkow, N. D. (2020). America’s addiction to opioids: Heroin and prescription drug abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2020/02/americas-addiction-to-opioids-heroin-prescription-drug-abuse
• World Health Organization. (2021). Substance abuse.
• Zweben, J. E. (2019). Treating Substance Use Disorders: A Clinical Handbook. Guilford Press.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Nursing & Health

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 1016 words

1 pages / 661 words

2 pages / 1162 words

1 pages / 499 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Drug Abuse

The United States of America only contains 5% of the world’s population, however, the country is full of prescription medication and devours 80% of the worlds prescription opioids. Of the people in the US over the age of 12 [...]

In this essay I want to discuss the effects of drugs on community Decatur, Illinois, as the problem of drug abuse has reached alarming proportions, posing a significant threat to our community's well-being. The prevalence of [...]

Nature is the basic or inherent features, character, or qualities of something. It is the innate or essential qualities of a person. Nurture is the action or process of nurturing someone or something, this is the upbringing, [...]

The war on drugs has made multiple attempts on reducing the consumption of illegal drugs and abuses since the 1970s. Whether that is from laws or strict requirements, there has been an uprise in pharmaceutical abuse and [...]

With the recent country-wide legalization of marijuana in Canada, the recreational and medical use of marijuana is becoming more frequent. Marijuana is known to have many different effects ranging from pain relief to temporarily [...]

Substance abuse among adolescents has been a serious health issue where there has been a crucial public health issue. Most people who struggle with drug addiction even in their later stages of life mainly began substance abuse [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

US charges 193 people in $2.7bn healthcare fraud crackdown

Nearly 200 people have been charged in a sweeping nationwide crackdown on healthcare fraud schemes with false claims topping $2.7bn, the United States Department of Justice has said.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Thursday charges against doctors, nurse practitioners and others across the US accused of a variety of scams, including a $900m scheme in Arizona targeting dying patients.

Keep reading

China’s communist party expels ex-defence ministers over corruption charges, why is the us in so much debt and does it matter, why are two boeing astronauts stuck in space, kenya protesters call for president ruto’s removal after tax bill dropped.

“It does not matter if you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or medical professional employed by a healthcare company. If you profit from the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable,” Garland said in a statement.

In the Arizona case, prosecutors have accused two owners of wound care companies of accepting more than $330m in kickbacks as part of a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for amniotic wound grafts, which are dressings to help heal wounds.

Nurse practitioners were pressured to apply the wound grafts to elderly patients who did not need them, including people in hospice care, the Justice Department said. Some patients died the day they received the grafts or within days, court papers say.

In less than two years, more than $900m in bogus claims were submitted to Medicare for grafts that were used on fewer than 500 patients, prosecutors said.

The owners of the wound care companies, Alexandra Gehrke and Jeffrey King, were arrested this month at the Phoenix airport as they were boarding a flight to London, according to court papers urging a judge to keep them behind bars while they await trial.

A lawyer for Gehrke declined to comment, and a lawyer for King did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press.

Authorities allege Gehrke and King, who got married this year, knew charges were coming and had been preparing to flee. At their home, authorities found a book titled, How To Disappear: Erase Your Digital Footprint, Leave False Trails, and Vanish Without a Trace, according to court papers. In one of their bags packed for their flight, there was a book titled Criminal Law Handbook: Know Your Rights, Survive The System, the papers say.

Gehrke and King lived lavishly off the scheme, prosecutors allege, citing in court papers luxury cars, a nearly $6m home and more than $520,000 in gold bars, coins and jewellery. Officials seized more than $52m from Gehrke’s personal and business bank accounts after her arrest, prosecutors say.

In total, 193 people were charged in a series of separate cases brought over about two weeks in the nationwide healthcare fraud sweep. Authorities seized more than $230m in cash, luxury cars and other assets. The Justice Department carries out these sweeping healthcare fraud efforts periodically with the goal of helping to deter other potential wrongdoers.

In another Arizona case, one woman is accused of billing the state’s Medicaid agency for substance abuse treatment services that did not serve any real purpose or were never provided, prosecutors say.

Another case alleges a scheme in Florida to distribute misbranded HIV drugs. Prosecutors say drugs were bought on the black market and resold to unsuspecting pharmacies, which then provided the medications to patients.

In some cases, patients were given bottles that contained different drugs than the label showed. One patient ended up unconscious for 24 hours after taking what he was led to believe was his HIV medication but was actually an antipsychotic drug, prosecutors say.