Drug abuse is one of the significant problems of modern society. Some regions of the United States are estimated to have the highest rates of drug-related deaths (Guydish et al. 108). Lake County, CA, is claimed to have at least 48 deaths in every 100000 people related to drug abuse every year (Guydish et al. 108). The figure is relatively high compared to the statewide average number (Guydish et al. 108). The topic of drug abuse is essential for discussion due to the need to develop strategies to prevent and minimize the dangerous consequences of drug abuse in different regions. The paper covers the problem of drug abuse in Lake County, focusing on the possible problem management strategies. The problem of drug abuse can be efficiently solved by combining the attempts of the government, police, hospitals, educational organizations, and the community.
Background
Historically, drug and substance abuse were not rampant in California and its environs. This problem results from poor policing and the state’s proximity to Mexico and drug syndicates. To be precise, opioids and other laboratory-manufactured substances have been on the rise in recent years due to the continued trafficking by Mexican cartels. Currently, California is the number one destination for methamphetamine trafficking, which explains the high drug abuse in counties like Lake County (Guydish et al. 108). The deaths due to drug overdose have been rising over the years. The poor economic situation also contributes to the increase in opioid overdose.
Survey of the Literature
Research has indicated that poverty and unemployment are directly related to drug abuse. Today the county has the highest drug-related death rate in California (“Behavioural Health”). Some of the addictive substances in the county included opium, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and other controlled substances. Some researchers believe that drug abuse can be compared with brain disease, which means that it can be efficiently treated and prevented (“What is Drug Addiction?”). The reasons explaining why people fall into addiction are usually social in nature. Adverse life conditions and psychological oppression often affect the human decision-making regarding drugs.
The situation becomes extremely dangerous in cases of teenagers’ addiction. According to the practical brain analysis, the teenagers’ prefrontal cortex is at the stage of development that causes problems with self-control and disturbs the decision-making process (“What is Drug Addiction?”). As a result, young people are prone to drug abuse due to biological and psychological reasons. Due to the poor economic situation, the infrastructure of Lake County is not well-developed. Teenagers are not devoted to some activities which positively affect their development. Controversially, they spend time on potentially dangerous activities such as drug usage. Young people’s understanding of harmful consequences is atrophied due to the lack of experience and some psychologically-conditioned issues (“It takes a community to fight drug abuse”). The conducted interview with ex-addict John Doe proves that teenagers in Lake County are prone to drug addiction because of social oppression and peers’ influence.
Contrary to the mentioned above position that people decide to try drugs under psychological and social oppression, there is an idea that drug abuse is genetically inherent. The early parental use of drugs is likely to be genetically inherent to future generations (“What is Drug Addiction?”). This fact explains why some people are more vulnerable to drug addiction than others. The high rates of teenage drug abuse in Lake County mean that the future generations in this region are also at an increased risk of being addicted. Such a situation is potentially harmful to the community. The vicious circle of drug abuse is difficult to eliminate due to the region’s economic instability. The enhancement of living conditions starts with improving the educational and career opportunities for the citizens. Thus, the teenagers, who are the future of the Lake County community, are supposed to bring positive changes to the region.
However, being the victims of drug abuse, teenagers are at high risk of damaging their brains, showing no prospects of improving the situation. As a result, Lake County’s community is in deplorable conditions due to drug abuse and the government’s inability to manage this problem. The quality of living is gradually decreasing because of this problem. Drug and substance abuse affect Lake County, and the situation will worsen if nothing is done. This problem has many negative consequences for the regions, such as crime, school dropouts, deaths, hospitalization, prostitution, and negligence of children.
The interview with Jennifer Kraus, Support Staff/Intern at Hilltop Recovery Services, shows that the “quitting” process is complicated. Jennifer highlights that there is no guarantee that addicts can quit using drugs for the rest of their life. This means that the managemental problem strategies should be centered on recovery and future support of ex-addicts. Moreover, the interview offers valuable insights into the essence of drug abuse prevention measures. The region’s authorities are responsible for decreasing drug abuse rates.
Discussion
The leaders and the community have to develop strategies to change the deplorable drug abuse situation in Lake County. One of the strategies that can reduce the problem is civic education. This approach can also be efficient for minimizing the risks of teenagers’ addiction. The county’s administration, nongovernmental organizations, churches, and schools should focus on educating people on the effects of drugs and how they can avoid using them. The awareness of the problem and its consequences for health and life is the first step in changing the community’s perception of drugs. Another strategy to manage the situation is the treatment, rehabilitation, and consequent support of addicts. In the case of severe drug dependence related to opioids like SafeRX and Naloxone, the best option to help people is to hospitalize them with special dispensers. The individuals can be taken to rehabilitation centers, where programs such as Narconon and others can be implemented to help them return to normal life (Darracq et al. 114). Another strategy is related to the police regulation of drug abuse. Police are responsible for managing the problem of drug distribution.
However, the officers often do not consider this problem significant enough. Special programs or laws should be proposed to regulate the work of police in the sphere of drugs. Mentioned solutions can help to decrease drug abuse rates through prevention and efficient rehabilitation. Collective work of the authorities, police, hospitals, educational organizations, and the community can contribute to minimizing the adverse consequences of drug abuse. The implementation of mentioned above strategies can make Lake County drug-free someday. Considering the close future changes, which can change the situation, I would like to see the security personnel increase policing in the county to arrest the peddlers of drugs. Therefore, even though the case of Lake County is adverse, it can be significantly improved by using the mentioned above strategies.
Works Cited
“Behavioural Health: Lake County Resource Guide?” LCBH: Lake County CA. Web.
Darracq, Michael A., et al. “Pharmacist Dispensed Naloxone: Knowledge, Availability, Participation and Cost in Selected California Counties.” International Journal of Drug Policy, vol. 71, 2019, pp. 113-117. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.06.001
Guydish, Joseph, et al. “Tobacco Use and Tobacco Services in California Substance Use Treatment Programs.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol. 214, 2020, pp. 108-173. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108173
“It takes a community to fight drug abuse.” Christian Science Monitor, vol. 89, no. 5., 1996, pp. 11-17.
“What is Drug Addiction?”NIDA.