Avoid Substance Abuse 1

Mareta Ioane

Kyle Croft

Mahnoosh Eskandarian

Madeline Lance

English 1010-22

April 26, 2017

Problem with Drug Addiction

The world we live in has so many variety of fun things to do; from enjoying your families

and friends company, to traveling, to shopping, to fishing, enjoying your success, and so forth. It

is full of all the goodness that comes with it, unfortunately, there are also dangerous things on

earth which humans find to be enjoyable, despite the consequences. Many people becoming

involved with substance abuse that contribute to physical and psychological problems, which can

affect your health, includes possible death. Why do people turn to such dangerous chemicals for

their entertainment or comfort? At some point through education, the internet, books, on the

news, includes teaching from our family, etc that we have all been taught (that drugs are a

problem in peoples life). However, people continue to use drugs for recreational use, to escape

stress, under peer pressure, and so many other reasons in which leads to drug addiction.

Our group from the Salt Lake Community College, chose the problem of drug addiction

because we care about peoples safety, health, and happiness. We are especially concern among

young children and teenagers that has been introduced to these dangerous drugs. Our essay

purpose is to find out why drug addiction has been a problem among Salt Lake City Community,

and to figure out the cause and possible solution to this disease. We must educate people and
 Avoid Substance Abuse 2

these young ones about the danger of all the drugs including opioids prescription because of

misused.

Drug addiction has been a controversial problem for many centuries, and we encourage

all citizen of the world to avoid drugs. We understand why the United States of America

includes all dangerous drugs to be illegal because of its danger to society and possible physical

threats. However, there are some licit drugs that also contribute to the problem, such as alcohol,

marijuana, and other prescription drugs abused by the users. The one exception for drugs is for

medicinal purpose only, like marijuana to cure seizures and other disease, morphine used by

military for wounds, and other useful prescriptions for pain relieve. But still, I would stay away

from them if you dont severely depend on it, because of the problem with addiction.

Identify Drug Problems

There are many problems from using these dangerous drugs that affect people's lives

such as, connected to increased incidence of violent crime, child abuse, sexual assault, HIV

infection, mental issues and automobile accidents (journeyhealingcenters.com). The issue with

drug abuse and addiction, also destroy peoples relationship with families, ruined their goals and

dreams, health and psychological issues. Another problem is that the young adult and teenagers

are freely using because of the availability, cheap cost, and from adult influences. Adults have

access to licit drugs, and therefore, these young kids were introduced through adults wrongful

behaviors. These involvements gradually lead to addiction from the extensive used and, the lack

of control through drug abuse of all the harmful drugs in this world.

Now that we all understand the different effects associated with these drugs, so why do

people continue taking it? We advise for you to look up these different drugs for your better

understanding of its different effect when its been used and/or extensively. The following
 Avoid Substance Abuse 3

experts from different sources talks about the danger of each drugs to our health, mental, and our

safety concern. According to Sandra Alters from Opposing Viewpoint Database, each drug

contributes different effect to the body and mind. For example, one illicit drug called

methamphetamine when injecting needle into their bloodstream can cause HIV and Hepatitis A.

Long-term users, takes away the life of a person quickly and it shows on the face area, looking

very ill. Taking it orally or snorted also contribute to feeling suicidal, because they start to feel

hopeless and worried. It can also cause violence behavior which is a huge concern among our

society. Death is another problem that can happen when overdose or commit suicidal.

Heroin is the other illegal drug that is used through injection by using needle and it

increase the risk of AIDS and other infections besides addiction. Withdrawal symptoms include

loss of appetite, panic, nausea, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and insomnia. It is also more dangerous

when taking it with combination of alcohol and cocaine (Alters pg 7). Another illicit drug is

cocaine, the most powerful stimulant and it can be snorted or smoked. The physical effect is the

permanent damage to their noses when sniffing the powder often, in result collapsed nose. It

causes the risk of heart attack in the first hour after use, and heavy use of two grams or more per

week, impairs memory, decision making, and manual dexterity(Alters, pg7).

Another type of drug that is illicit and licit is the hemp plant of Marijuana. It is a well-

known drug that has been used by more than 54.5% of the population in 2005 (Alters). That

raise awareness to the American citizen that drugs are not good for humans. The effects of

marijuana from extended use as follow: short-term memory loss, lung damage, loss of interest

in personal appearance and pursuit of goals. The immediate physical effects include a faster

heartbeat (by as much as 50%), bloodshot eyes, and a dry mouth and throat. Other users reported

experiencing severe anxiety attacks (pg 6).

Furthermore, the most common licit drug that is a gateway to all the harder drugs is the

alcohol. Alcohol is used so often by millions of people and it raised awareness of concern among

the young people involves with alcohol addiction. According to journeyhealingcenters.com, Salt

Lake City substance abusers checking into treatment is about 40 percent of men and 20 percent

of women are seeking help with alcohol problems (pg.1). And last, the opioids drug prescription

for pain relieve is another drug problem that millions of Americans abused such as oxycodone

and hydrocodone. These drugs are meant to relieve pain but misused by the patients, then it

becomes addicted. In history, there has been number of people suffered from overdose and

checking into rehab for addiction.

Cause of Addiction

According to study and research, the root of all evil of using from the start are including

the following. One, the children are being neglected, or being physically, sexually, mentally, and

emotionally abuse. Two, the cause of drug abuse and addiction is from within the family when

they were younger, therefore, drug-free environment makes an enormous difference. Third, the

lack of parental communication with their children about drugs is a huge detriment in their lives.

Clearly, the problem occurs from an early age, which leads to doing drugs and consumption of

alcohol when acquainted with peer pressure.

Sadly, millions of people, from aged 12 and over are currently abusing drugs despite the

dangers associated with it. These problematic drugs cause significant concern and suffering,

which requires attention and action. Most people trying to cope with a problem, such as divorce

issues, and death of a family member, and so they would turn to drug to numb their pain. All

these emotional damages are normally of how the process takes place. For example, they would

turn to alcohol, prescription, and street drugs (Joseph, Mental Therapist, interview by students).
 Avoid Substance Abuse 5

According to Drug Addiction and Abuse, by Debra Wood;

The cause of drug addiction and dependence is unknown, although there are a

variety of theories. One theory is, genetic component that predisposes a person

to developing a drug addiction. Another theory about the drug abuse is a learned

behavior and that people begin to use drugs by copying the behavior of those

around them. Long-term drug use alters the brains structure and chemistry, which

may reinforce the desire to keep using drugs regardless of the consequences (pg

1).

In addition, Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse, published by Columbia University Press,

says, people take drugs for many reasons:

Peer pressure, relief of stress, increased energy, to relax, to relieve pain, to escape

reality, to feel more self-esteem, and for recreation use. Drug addiction is more

often defined by the continuing, compulsive nature of the drug use despite

physical and/or psychological harm to the user and society, which is a bad

decision. (pg 2, last para.).

Empirical Evidence

To help us more understand the problems with drug addiction, we include three

successful recovery stories. First, Mareta from our group, shared the following personal story

about her husband. Maretas husband does not want to include his name in our paper, so we will

identify him as husband. My husband had a drug addiction since he was 21 years old and he

was hooked to methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. He said, Alcohol was the

gateway drug to his addiction. He started drinking alcohol at age 17 through a party life, which
 Avoid Substance Abuse 6

eventually lead to marijuana, and finally to the hardcore drugs through peer pressure at age 21.

He was addicted to the illicit drugs for about seven years and has been sober from drugs and

alcohol for over 10 years. The drug use ruined his dental hygiene which resulted in rotten teeth,

trouble with the law, and at age 24, ruined his career, as a result, he is working in construction.

He does not want his children to follow his footsteps as an alcoholic, and previous addict,

because the drug party life leads to no good benefit, but a hell life.

Second testimony is from Paul Reignie, a resident of the Mental Health Facility in SLC,

also recovered from the problems with substance abuse (interviewed by student). Mental Health

provides mental health and substance abuse services to clients with addiction problems, located

on 550 West 700 South (valleycares.com). Paul Reignie, joined the program because he needed

help with addiction of over twenty years. He started at age 20 through peer pressure from other

adults involved in the party lifestyle. He claimed the cause of it all stems back to his childhood

abuse; physically, sexually, mentally, and verbally from his families. He also witnessed drug use

from all family members throughout his childhood. He feels that played a huge role in his drug

addiction, plus alcohol was the gateway to the hard drugs later in his young adult life. He said, I

was contented living on the street as a homeless person, away from my immediate family. I hated

seeing my children grow up to become like me, so Id rather see them be successful without me

in their life.

One of our other article from the Opposing Viewpoint Database, talks about the teenagers

experience with drugs and they opt out from it. Title: We used to be drug addicts: drug use and

addiction is coming from the cheap access of cost by Kim Tranell. According to his opinion,

parents are the problem for their teens drug addiction, because they are involved with drugs and

that is one huge problem. Fifty-three percent of people suffering from drug addiction are also
 Avoid Substance Abuse 7

coping with at least one mental health challenge, like depression or anxiety. Research shows the

earlier a person begins to use drugs, the more likely they are to progress to more serious use.

Kim said, By using drugs, your prefrontal cortex in which governs decision-making and self-

control, is still developing.

On this article, Sage and Andrew, were some of the teenagers who shared their problem

with drug abuse that almost lead to drug addiction. Addiction is a cunning enemy that wants

you dead, Sage said. Her journey to addiction all started with a swig of vodka at age 11 and one

thing led to another, she was involved with cocaine because of anxiety and depression. Luckily,

she realized later that its becoming a huge problem of addiction, she then decide to make a

change, especially the love that she have for her sister. Now Sage is 18, had overcome her

cocaine habit- with her sights set on architecture school. Now sober, Sage is learning how to deal

with her anxiety and depression in healthier ways. A lot of people say that when you start using

drugs, you dont learn how to cope with your emotions- you just stuff them in a bottle (Sage).

Andrew at age 19, started using heroin in middle school, but hes finally back on track. His drug

use started with marijuana around age 12 and quickly escalated to pain pills, and by age 13, he

was shooting heroin. By 14, he had an overdose. He is in recovery and has realized how bad

drugs affected to his life.

Statistical Evidence in SLC

Now, that we learned the problems from the experience of users and experts opinion,

lets discuss numbers of users and their age according to the most recent years available

statistics.

In 2005, the age group having the highest percentage of illicit drug users was the eighteen

to twenty-year olds. At 22.3% of their population, over one out of every five young
 Avoid Substance Abuse 8

people aged eighteen

twenty were current illicit drug users in that year. The age group with the next highest

percentage of current illicit drug users was the twenty-one to twenty five-year-olds

(18.7%), followed by the sixteen and seventeen-year olds (17%) (Sandra, pg3).

In Salt Lake City, approximately 130, 000 residents over the age of 12, have used at

least one illicit drug within the past 12 months. The use and abuse of illicit drugs can spiral into

addictions which lead to chronic physical illness, overdose, and death (journeycenters.com).

Possible Solution

There have been many attempts to solve this problem: For example, Vaccines against

Cocaine, Heroin and Other Substances May One Day Help Addicts Stay Clean. It talks about a

Vaccine (drug that activates the immune system) to fight illicit drugs. Once a drug has passed
 Avoid Substance Abuse 9

through the blood brain barrier it attaches to a specific target this sets off a brain receptors and

gives the user the feelings of euphoria. The goal is to prevent the drug from crossing the blood

brain barrier. The vaccine trains the body to create special antibodies that will rapidly kill the

pathogen or deactivate the drug whenever they encounter it in the bloodstream. In a study, this

team of scientists gave one hundred and nine drug users shots with the vaccine. Subjects were

given four booster shots for twelve weeks to try and help their bodies learn to make the

antibodies. After twenty-four weeks 34% developed elevated levels of the antibodies, however

all developed some antibodies.

Many who are seeking help for addiction either for themselves or a loved one think that

they can just attend rehab. However, as Patt Denning says, To imagine that anyone will

dramatically change in one month is asking for disappointment. Drug use is a problem that is

much deeper than the act of using the drug. Each drug user has a unique history, psychology,

physiology, and motivations, as well as a social and cultural context for his relationship with

drugs (pg 167). Getting rid of addiction requires life changes, for example, individuals need to

create innovative ways to deal with life and stress, or whatever reason which caused them to start

using in the first place. One of the key things in a drug addicts recovery is a dedicated support

system of family or friends. Unfortunately, for the family or friends of a recovering addict, it can

be quite an emotionally taxing responsibility.

According to Patt Denning, there are family support groups that these people may attend,

for example, these support groups share their stories and frustrations in the internal world of their

addicted loved ones. The cycle of promises, hope, broken promises, anger, and despair are not

that different from the person struggling to overcome an addiction. He suggests that individuals

in the addicts support groups use what he calls the (harm reduction). This method teaches them
 Avoid Substance Abuse 10

to actively help at times, to care, and detach from the outcome (pg 168). Without a support

system recovery is much more difficult for a drug addict.

Solution not Excepting in America

There is one solution that the United States does not allow because it is illegal. It is the

one good cure for drug addiction, but one issue is the side effect; it may cause death (ibogaine).

Get Clean or Die Trying: Ibogaine, an anti-addiction drug that is illegal in the U. S. but could

cure more drug users than any other treatmentor kill them. A dose of ibogaine, a substance

derived from a rain-forest shrub called Tabernanthe iboga, can "reset" the addiction centers of

the brain, freeing people from cravings. This drug is being delivered in around 40 clinics

worldwide and works for about 70 percent of patients. Side effects of the drug include cardiac

arrhythmia, can produce lasting brain damage, or kill you. How it works--it makes you

hallucinate for two days, and in that time, it rewires your brain to avoid having the craving for

drugs. In addition, it damages the brain stem of 215 percent and up to 142 percent in the

striatum. It doesnt work for everyone and wont be legal anytime soon. (Para 1.)

Alternative Solution

Based on true personal success stories, there are hope of alternative solutions with drug

addiction. For instance; incarceration, professional counselling, medical treatment, government

programs, and family support. It is also vital to isolate from the usual party people, moving

away from the usual hangouts. Government programs and charities are helpful to help with

cheaper treatment to those under low income. Incarceration scares some addicts but offers

education/psychologist counseling while in jail/prison. Moreover, the length of staying away

from drugs by locked away, can improve with recovery from getting over it.
 Avoid Substance Abuse 11

Maretas husband testifies of those recovery factors; he was fearful of being locked away

from his family and the fear of being a failure for the rest of his life. Psychologists as well were

helpful, and the length of time he spent in jail for the crime he committed under the influence

was six months. He made the decision to continue seeing psychological professionals upon

being released and isolated himself from people with whom he used to hang out, including

starting a new life away from the usual party life. Family support was crucial in his change. He

has been a successful recovered drug and alcohol addict for over 10 years.

Our group believes the best long-term solutions to the problem of drug addiction based

on personal experience and expert opinion. First, kids need to be loved at home and have an open

communication to inform them at the first appropriate age, that drugs are dangerous. Second,

there must be a drug-free environment where the children are raised, and parental support is

vital. Parents, relatives, family friends, and everyone in Salt Lake City are the role model for

these young children. Therefore, we highly advice to meet at least once a month at a church hall,

to have a community meeting called REMINDER, to reinforce their love at home by

informing kids about it. Third, parents must avoid and commit to drug free environment, and if

they have a problem, seek help. And while on the process of recovery, a great idea based on

subjective experiences from our sources is to start a new life away from any negative influences.

And last solution, is for the addict to reach out to non-profit organization programs, like

the Valley Behavior Health on 1141 E. 3900 South, where Joseph the therapist manages. They

offer treatments such as diagnostic evaluation, individual, family and group therapy/counseling,

medication evaluation and management, skills training, case management, peer services and

crisis intervention (valleycares.com).

Valley is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality care that is accessible

and affordable to people in all walks of life. Services are available during daytime and

evening hours. Payment can be made through Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance and

self-pay plans. Sliding scale fees are also available for those that meet specific income

and asset criteria. Salt Lake City: 888-949-4864.

Parents, education board, and government; how can we work together to create a world

full of secure drug free environments. Parents educate your love ones from home and for the

District of SLC education to include early drug intervention to be educated at school. One other

eternal satisfactory solution in our opinion is to get rid of these drugs out of the world or our

country, but we realized that it might not be possible. Millions of people in America are already

hooked on them, and it is probably too difficult for the government to come up with probable

cause in finding their hidden places. Salt Lake City alone has so much use and abuse of these

drugs, its a humongous problem. Therefore, people of the world, avoid drugs as possible

because drugs are evil and bring hell to peoples life. SAY NO TO DRUGS!

Our group have further our project to include our persuasive essay on Facebook and

handing out brochures to the South Campus and Redwood Campus of Salt Lake Community

College. Its one great idea to spread awareness of the issue with drug

addictions from the substance abuse and hopefully, through our

research, output empirical evidence, and expert opinion from the valley

care facility; it will convince people not to use. The name of our Facebook page is: Students

against Substance Abuse created by Mareta Ioane.

Works Cited:

Alters, Sandra M. "Illicit Drugs." Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drugs, 2007 ed., Gale, 2007.

Information plus Reference Series. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 18 Apr.

2017.

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3011780104/OVIC?u=slcc&xid=d5cef207

Arnold, Carrie. "A Shot at Quitting." Scientific American Mind, vol. 26, no. 1, Jan/Feb2015,

p. 43. EBSCOhost,

libprox1.slcc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h

&AN=100089903&site=eds-live.

Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition, Apr. 2016,

pp. 1-4. EBSCOhost,

libprox1.slcc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&

AN=39003491&site=eds-live.

Ioane, Mareta and Coles Kyle, Personal interview. April 11 2017.

Journey Centers, https://www.journeycenters.com/news/drug-abuse-salt-lake-city-statistical-

"Methamphetamine." UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances, edited by Barbara

C. Bigelow, vol. 4, UXL, 2006, pp. 585-610. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Accessed

18 Apr. 2017.

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3448100081/OVIC?u=slcc&xid=93e777ac.

Nestor, James. "Get Clean or Die Trying." Scientific American, vol. 315, no. 5, Nov. 2016,

pp. 62-69. EBSCOhost,

libprox1.slcc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hxh

&AN=118852692&site=eds-live.
 Avoid Substance Abuse 14

Tranell, Kim. "Your Health." Scholastic Choices, vol. 31, no. 2, Oct. 2015, p. 8. EBSCOhost,

libprox1.slcc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h

&AN=109479209&site=eds-live.

Wood, Debra, RN. "Drug Abuse and Addiction." Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health, January.

EBSCOhost,

libprox1.slcc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&

AN=94415393&site=eds-live
 Avoid Substance Abuse 15

I created a Facebook under a fake name because I am not a social media personality

besides LinkedIn for professional network. So youll find my information under Maleka Falani

with the Drugs logo sign under my page. This is a sample copy of our brochure posted on

Facebook under the Students against Substance Abuse and Paper Brochure on campus.

WARNING! Substance Abuse is Harmful to Our Health, Psychological issues and

Safety concern. It leads to Drug Addiction and it will be very hard to overcome, plus problems as

an outcome. There are many problems from using these dangerous drugs that affect people's

lives such as, connected to increased incidence of violent crime, child abuse, sexual assault, HIV

infection, mental issues and automobile accidents (journeycenters.com). The issue with drug

abuse and addiction, also destroy peoples relationship with families, ruined their goals and

dreams. These involvements gradually lead to addiction from the extensive used and, the lack of

control through drug abuse of all the harmful drugs in this world.

Furthermore, according to Sandra, Alters from Opposing Viewpoint, each drug

contributes different effect to the body and mind, for example, "methamphetamine" use when

injecting needle into their bloodstream can cause HIV and Hepatitis A. Long-term users, takes

away the life of a person quickly and it shows on the face area, looking very ill. Taking it orally

or snorted also contribute to feeling suicidal, because they start to feel hopeless and worried. It

can also cause violence behavior which is a huge concern among our society. Death is another

problem that can happen when overdose or commit suicidal.

Sandra continues by saying, "Cocaine" is a powerful stimulant of natural origin. The

physical effect is the permanent damage to their noses when sniffing the powder often, in result

collapsed nose. It causes the risk of heart attack in the first hour after use, and heavy use of two

grams or more per week, impairs memory, decision making, and manual dexterity.
 Avoid Substance Abuse 16

-She also talks about "heroin" that it is extracted from morphine (pain reliever), however it

became an addictive drug, resulting to overdose and death. Withdrawal symptoms include loss of

appetite, panic, nausea, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and insomnia. It is also more dangerous when

taking it with combination of alcohol and cocaine (pg 7).

Sandra said, "Marijuana" (hemp plant) is a well-known drug that has been used by more

than 54.5% of the population in 2005 That raise awareness to the American citizen that drugs

are not good for humans. The effects of marijuana from extended use as follow: short-term

memory loss, lung damage, and apathy, loss of interest in personal appearance and pursuit of

goals. The immediate physical effects include a faster heartbeat (by as much as 50%), bloodshot

eyes, and a dry mouth and throat. Other users reported experiencing severe anxiety attacks (pg

6).

"Opioid" painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone are the most frequently misused

prescription medications and, in a related situation, Salt Lake City medical authorities have

noticed a clear uptick in the number of people being brought to emergency rooms suffering from

heroin overdose, or checking into rehab for a heroin addiction. Heroin is an illegal opioid but is

cheaper to purchase than its legalized chemical cousins, and area addiction experts have no doubt

that prescription opioids are functioning as gateway drugs helping to push levels of heroin

consumption upward (journeyhealingcenters.com).

Parents, education board, and government, how can we work together to create a world

full of secure drug free environments. Parents, please educate your love ones from home and for

the District of SLC education to include early drug intervention to be educated at school. One

other eternal satisfactory solution in our opinion is to get rid of these drugs out of the world or

our country, but we realized that it might not be possible. Millions of people in America are
 Avoid Substance Abuse 17

already hooked on them, and it is probably too difficult for the government to come up with

probable cause in finding their hidden places. Salt Lake City alone has so much use and abuse of

these drugs, its a humongous problem. Therefore, people of the world, avoid drugs as possible

because drugs are evil and bring hell to peoples life. If you want to stay healthy, looking

beautiful and stay successful in which brings "happiness", and bring "peace" to your life.

SAY NO TO DRUGS!

Works Cited:

*Alters, Sandra M. "Illicit Drugs." Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drugs, 2007 ed., Gale, 2007.

Information plus Reference Series. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 18 Apr.

2017.

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3011780104/OVIC?u=slcc&xid=d5cef207

*Journey Centers, https://www.journeycenters.com/news/drug-abuse-salt-lake-city...

Created by: Mareta Ioane