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Chapter 1

Chapter 1. Putting Drugs in Perspective. The Myths of a Simple Solution . “Just Say No” Simplistic view of a complicated problem “Any solution to a complex problem that is simple, is usually wrong.” – HL Menken What is the best way to engage and motivate those dependent on drugs?.

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Chapter 1

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  1. Chapter 1 Putting Drugs in Perspective

  2. The Myths of a Simple Solution • “Just Say No” • Simplistic view of a complicated problem • “Any solution to a complex problem that is simple, is usually wrong.” – HL Menken • What is the best way to engage and motivate those dependent on drugs?

  3. Failed Approaches • Scare tactics • Example: 1936 Reefer madness • 1960s “War on Drugs” • Drug-specific approaches to curb interest • Reverse effect: providing credible drug-specific information heightened curiosity and alleviated fears rather than reducing use resulting in increased drug use

  4. Minimizing Alcohol Abuse • ‘Excessive alcohol consumption is the 3rd leading preventable cause of death in the US and is associated with multiple adverse health consequences (Centers for Disease Control, 2004)

  5. Alcohol-Related Problems Binge Drinking on College Campuses • 40-45% of college students binge drink, according to the Harvard School of Public Health • Approximately 1,400 students die each year of alcohol-related incidents • At least half of the sexual assaults on college campuses involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, the victim, or both • The first 6 weeks are the most dangerous

  6. Academic problems Property damage Death Driving under the influence Sexual assault and rape Personal injury High-risk sexual behavior Other high-risk behaviors Anger, violence, road rage Significant Negative EffectsSee Chart on page 8

  7. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Alcohol involved in 20-25% of IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) See Chart on page 9 Alcohol caused: • impaired judgment • cognitive impairment • loosened inhibitions • physical effects that lead to IPV • exacerbation of marital/couples conflicts • negative family life, increasing violence Drinking by men – stronger predictor of IPV than drinking by women

  8. Drinking and Driving – Young Drivers • Traffic fatalities 29% DUI (in 2002) – drivers 15-20 years of age • 21% (in 2002 and 2003) reported DUI (aged 16-20) in last year Factors contribute to young drivers crashes: • Lack of driving experience • Overconfidence • Other teenagers in the car (encouraging risky driving)

  9. Intentional & Unintentional Deaths – Other than Traffic Fatalities • 45% of fatalities other than traffic fatalities related to drinking (under the age of 21) were: • Drowning, burns, falls, alcohol overdose and related deaths, etc. • Intentional deaths related to alcohol include homicides and suicides • 12% of male and 8% of female suicides are related to alcohol

  10. Other Problems in Perspective • Tobacco – the most deadly drug • 25% of the population of smokers, many of those in recovery from alcohol/drugs will die of smoking-related illnesses • Continued emphasis on supply side & neglect of the demand side of the drug problem • Racist approach to the drug problem (the issues of people of color are often ignored) • Socioeconomic inequities that undermine the American dream

  11. Problems – cont’d • Academic (school and college) inadequacies & inequities failure to motivate & educate young people are a major part of the problem • Denial of alcohol/drug problems in the family • Student drug use – a continued concern • Adolescent co-occurring disorders

  12. The 5 Major Perspectives (p. 18-21) • The Moral-Legal Perspective • The Medical-Health Perspective • The Psycho-Social Perspective • The Social-Cultural Perspective • The Spirituality Perspective

  13. The Moral-Legal Perspective • Viewpoint: Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Systems • Major Focus: “Keep specific drugs away from people.” • Approach: Reduce availability of drugs, Punish as a deterrent • Drawback: Addresses on the supply side

  14. The Medical-Health Perspective • Viewpoint: Medical and Health Treatment Fields • Major Focus: “Drug/alcohol use as a public health problem.” • Approach: Treatment focuses on physical damage • Drawback: Assumes – health info influences attitudes, beliefs, habits, addiction

  15. The Psycho-Social Perspective • Viewpoint: Mental Health and Alcohol/Drug Treatment Fields • Major Focus: Prevent, intervene and treat alcohol/drug & co-occurring disorders • Approach: Provide services from housing, finances, to quality of life • Drawback: Public agencies are underfunded, understaffed, problems are many and at times overwhelming

  16. The Social-Cultural Perspective • Viewpoint: Social agencies and institutions • Major Focus: Assumption – alcohol/drug abuse is due to frustration and hopelessness with people’s lives • Approach: Adapt the environment to meet the individual’s needs • Drawback: Poorly funded and societal change is slow

  17. The Spiritual Perspective • Viewpoint: Many different groups including the Anonymous organizations (e.g., AA, NA, CoDA) • Major Focus: Drug use is ‘an emptiness and spiritual void that requires spiritual healing” • Approach: Conservative religious beliefs & attending traditional or nontraditional religious services, private prayer, meetings. Having one´s own definition of spirituality • Drawback: Watching or listening instead of participating

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