The problem
Drug and alcohol abuse is a social problem that causes a person to use substance in a pattern that is dangerous to health and that which causes distress. Usually, drug abuse can lead to drug addiction a problem associated with a disparaging pattern of substance abuse.
Addicted persons find it to be difficult to stop using drugs hence subjecting themselves to immense torture. Drug abuse is both common in higher learning institutions both in third and the first world countries. The aim of drug users is to attain pleasure. Many use drugs in order to avoid their problems, for example, poverty and family issues (Wilson & Kolander, 2011).
Demographics of the problem
Most students in higher institutions abusing drugs commenced usage of drugs at high school level. Alcohol and use of drugs such as marijuana is a common problem in with youths at high school level and tertiary level (Wilson & Kolander, 2011). Unemployment can lead to drug and alcohol abuse especially for college plus university graduates.
Coping with unemployment may lead to substance and alcohol abuse in an attempt to escape problems by gaining pleasure. Research indicates that 40 percent of high school students in USA have used marijuana (Hanson, Venturelli & Fleckenstein, 2009).
In the year 2000, about 30-35 percent of college students consumed marijuana. In 2006, the annual use rate among college and university students was 30.2 a slight plunge from the preceding years. According to a survey conducted to determine the association of substance abuse and alcohol use, marijuana users consumed alcohol at a higher rate than those who did not use marijuana (Hanson et al., 2009). It was clear that 99 percent of marijuana consumers abused alcohol compared to 75percent of students with no history of using the substance.
Effects and Impacts
Abuse of drugs and alcohol in higher institutions has devastating effects both to the society and the person using them. Developed countries have appropriate measures in place to curb cases of drug abuse in institutions (Wilson & Kolander, 2011). In Zimbabwe, the addiction cases are high due to inappropriate measures and lack of cash to fund projects aimed at countering the problem.
In USA, the problem of drug use is unresolved considering that the youths drop out of school and venture in the drug trade in an attempt to sustain them. Most youths may succumb to addictions due to the environments that they live (Grinnell & Unrau, 2005).
Learning is never easy to drug abusers; the damage is deleterious because students end up being antisocial and unable to cope with life issues. Most people abusing drugs end up in prostitution or reckless sexual acts leading to health risks (Hanson et al., 2009).
The systems for higher leaning cannot operate effectively if institutions consist of drug damaged individuals. Drug addicts can indulge in crime and violence making the society an unsafe place. The economy of a country is at risk if the society continues to produce unproductive individuals.
Curing/reducing the problem
Employing measures of eradicating poverty especially in third world countries will help reduce drug abuse. Students who venture in the drug trade do so for the purpose of sustaining themselves with basic needs (Grinnell & Unrau, 2005). Governments should come up with legislation for dealing with drug use.
The legislation I could be fundamental in deterring abuse and sale of drugs. Creating awareness to the public and in institutions on the dangers of drug consumption could deter many persons from using drugs. Rehabilitation centers should exist to enhance recovery of addicted persons (Hanson et al., 2009).
References
Grinnell, R. M., & Unrau, Y. A. (2005). Social work research and evaluation: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. New York: Oxford University Press.
Hanson, G., Venturelli, P. J., & Fleckenstein, A. E. (2009). Drugs and society. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Wilson, R. W., & Kolander, C. A. (2011). Drug abuse prevention: A school and community partnership. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.