The Dark Side Of Drugs
The Dark Side Of Drugs
It is evident that society is becoming increasingly reliant on drugs as a means of coping with the challenges and stresses of daily life. The trend is very concerning because it indicates a lack of emphasis on developing natural coping mechanisms and a reliance on artificial means of dealing with difficult situations. Drugs can be used to help or hurt the people and environment., depending on the context and the individual situation.
On one hand, drugs are an essential part of modern medicine and are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, from pain and infection, to mental health disorders and chronic diseases. These drugs can help people to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives, and can provide relief from symptoms of many conditions. But on another hand, there is a noticeable amount of people that are currently aging through their teenage years and are going down the wrong path. One of the main reasons for this trend is the increasing pressure of individuals to perform at high levels and meet the expectations of their peers, families, and society at large. This pressure can be overwhelming and cause people to turn to drugs as a means of escaping from their problems or numbing their emotions. Schools, doctors, and social media influencers are failing to show people in society that there are many natural ways to cope. The people are deeply hurt from this and there is no cure. The result of this is showing all these people are being trapped in a world where they are surrounded by drugs and what seems to be nothing else. Clearly, Huxley's fear of society revolving around drugs is coming into play. As in Brave New World, “Too awful! That blood!’ She shuddered. ‘Oh, I wish I had my Soma'’” (Huxley, 116). Lenina is going through an unpleasant experience. Automatically she wants to resort to Soma. Society is conditioned to rely on Soma when they are feeling uneasy.
It is a common belief that schools are the main reason that students turn to drugs in order to cope with the stress of too much work. While it is true that schools and the pressure to succeed can contribute to students’ stress levels, there are multitude of other factors at play that also contribute to this problem. First and foremost, it is important to acknowledge that drugs are not a healthy or effective way to deal with stress. Not only can they have serious consequences towards an individual's physical and mental health, but they also do not address the root causes of stress and can often lead to further problems down the road. There are many factors that can contribute to a student’s decision to turn to drugs as a means of coping with stress. These can include personal, family, and social issues, as well as academic pressure and lack of support. For example, this teacher states, “I’ve had students who won’t come to school because they don’t want to compound their stress” (Simmons). That teacher may have no idea what is going on behind the scenes of school. It is important to consider that some students may have underlying mental health conditions that make them more susceptible to turning to drugs as a way of coping, but some schools may not see this and will have no idea of anything going on, and everything gets piled on top of eachother.
School pressure can come from a variety of sources, including the desire to get into a competitive college or university, the expectation to achieve high grades, and the fear of disappointing parents or teachers. “More than half of college students self-report some kind of anxiety and depression” (Pepper, et al). One way that schools can help students cope with stress is by providing support and resources to help students manage their workload and prioritize their responsibilities. This can include offering academic support services such as tutoring, providing breaks and relaxation spaces, and promoting healthy habits such as regular exercise and sleep. But in reality, schools do not only pile on their kids' stress, they also lack the resources/ curriculum to teach their students that drugs and other substances are the most NEGATIVE way to go.
Ultimately, America’s schools aren’t preparing their kids to achieve successful, happy and fulfilling lives. Schools are failing to successfully show children and people of all ages that it is smarter to use coping mechanisms like therapy and meditation, instead of drugs and medicine. With mediocre high school graduation rates nationwide and poor college graduation rates to follow, it is clear that high schools need to change. For instance, “Though 37 states require schools to teach students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, … 44 percent of them said they spend less than five hours a year on efforts to teach prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, and 42 percent said such programs are taught as parts of other courses. Thirty-two percent said that prevention was taught inconsistently or that nothing on the subject was taught in their schools” (Davis). These statistics show that one of the main reasons drug abuse rates are high, is because it is being horribly taught. Socialmedia is one of the main ways in society today that people who need help rely on, and all they see are drugs. We need fixing. Some drugs are highly addictive and can cause serious health problems. Such as heart disease, liver damage, and mental health disorders. These drugs can also lead to social problems, such as crime and violence, as people may turn to illegal activities to support their drug habit. School is the one thing that may be able to fix it all. But In the long run, as a teacher, it is their job to provide students with knowledge and let them learn. Parents and society must not question their ways of teaching and what they teach. Every school has rubrics that teachers must cross upon, so there are no doubts in teachers failing to teach students.
Another factor contributing to the increased reliance on drugs is the widespread availability and accessibility of these substances. In many cases, drugs can be obtained easily and without the need for a prescription. “Nearly 40% of teens who abused prescription medication obtained the drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinet” (Juergens). This makes it easy for people to abuse them. Patients in doctors offices can so easily go in, say they’re constantly sad, and easily get a prescription drug, without being questioned on whether they have tried to fix this naturally or if they have even tried to naturally cope. It is important for doctors to carefully evaluate each patient and consider a range of treatment options before prescribing medications, and to carefully monitor their patients for potential side effects and negative impacts on their overall well-being. By taking a more holistic approach to treating stress and anxiety, doctors can help to ensure that their patients receive the most appropriate and effective care possible. While prescription medications can be an important tool in treating stress and anxiety, they should not be the first or only option considered by doctors. “The task force's recommendations, together with similar ones issued last spring for children, means that physicians may soon routinely ask children and adult patients under age 65 about anxiety, just as they currently do about cigarette smoking and alcohol use” (Hurley).
In today's fast-paced society, there is often a desire for quick fixes and immediate relief, and prescription medications can seem like an appealing option. Doctors may prescribe medications for stress and anxiety too easily because they are under pressure to quickly address their patients' symptoms and get them back to their daily routines. Doctors often prescribe medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, to help individuals manage stress and anxiety. These medications can be effective in treating the symptoms of these conditions and can provide much-needed relief for those suffering from them. However, it is also true that doctors may sometimes prescribe these medications too readily, without fully considering the potential risks and negative effects they may have on their patients. To prove these thoughts, “It came to be considered a routine part of a doctor’s duty to assess and ultimately to completely eliminate any kind of significant pain, as determined by the patient” (Gorman). Although, It is also important to consider that there may be other factors at play when a doctor prescribes medication. For example, the doctor may be responding to the patient's request for a prescription, or may believe that the medication is the most appropriate treatment option based on their training and experience. Overall, it is important for doctors to carefully evaluate each patient and consider a range of treatment options before prescribing medications. They should also carefully monitor their patients for potential side effects and negative impacts on their overall well-being. By taking a more holistic approach to treating stress and anxiety, doctors can help to ensure that their patients receive the most appropriate and effective care possible.
Drug use is a complex issue that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including social and cultural norms, individual beliefs and behaviors, and access to drugs. There is some evidence to suggest that drug use is becoming more prevalent in certain segments of the population. For example, data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows that rates of drug overdose deaths have been increasing in recent years, particularly among younger age groups.
Social media has the power to influence people in both positive and negative ways. Unfortunately, it can also lead people down the wrong path by promoting the use of drugs and alcohol. One way that social media contributes to this issue is through the portrayal of drug and alcohol use as normal or even desirable. “Popping Xanax may be trendy, but it's more harmful than you think. SELF investigates” (Bleyer). Many social media users, especially younger ones, may see their friends or celebrities posting pictures or videos of themselves using drugs or drinking alcohol, and may feel pressure to do the same in order to fit in or be perceived as cool. This can lead to a culture of acceptance or even glamorization of substance abuse, which can make it more likely for people to start using drugs or alcohol. For example, “Teens are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of what they see on social media, as this age group is highly susceptible to peer influences and pressure” (Hilliard). Another factor is the accessibility of drugs and alcohol through social media. In some cases, drugs or alcohol may be sold directly through social media platforms, making it easy for people to obtain and use these substances. This can be particularly dangerous for those who may not have access to these substances in their everyday lives, as they may be more likely to try them out of curiosity or because they see others doing it. Social media can also contribute to the normalization of binge drinking and heavy drug use, or possibly body dysmorphia. “Perhaps it is the constant stream of stories about the harms that social media inflict on younger children (e.g., "Snapchat dysmorphia," by which people become unhappy with their bodies and seek to alter them so as to appear more like the heavily filtered images on social-media platforms)” (Rosen). Many people may see pictures or videos of others getting drunk or high and think that this is a normal or acceptable way to have fun. This can lead to a culture of excess, where people feel pressure to consume more drugs or alcohol than they are comfortable with in order to fit in or have a good time.
In conclusion, social media has the potential to lead people down the wrong path by promoting and normalizing the use of drugs and alcohol. It is important for individuals to be aware of the potential negative influences of social media and to make their own informed decisions about substance use. It is also important for society as a whole to address and combat the negative influences of social media on drug and alcohol use.
The evidence presented in this essay clearly shows that society is becoming increasingly reliant on drugs and other substances as a means of coping with the stresses and challenges of modern life. From the widespread use of prescription medications to treat a range of mental and physical health conditions, to the increasing prevalence of recreational drug use and the rise of legal and illegal substances as a way to cope with the demands of work and daily life, it is clear that our reliance on drugs as a coping mechanism is reaching critical levels. This trend is not only unsustainable, but it also carries significant risks for individuals and society as a whole. It is time for us to recognize the dangers of this reliance on drugs and to actively seek out and promote natural, healthy coping mechanisms as an alternative. So, it is imperative that we take steps to address this issue and find healthier ways to cope with the challenges of life.
Works Cited
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Davis, Michelle R. “Schools Not Up to Task of Anti-Drug Education.” Education Week, 10 Dec. 2020, www.edweek.org/leadership/schools-not-up-to-task-of-anti-drug-education/2007/10.
Gorman, Sara and Jack. “Why Do Doctors Overprescribe?” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers,www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/denying-the-grave/201802/why-do-doctors-overprescribe.
Hilliard, Jena. “The Influence Of Social Media On Teen Drug Use” July 16, 2019. https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/social-media-teen-drug-use/
Hurley, Dan. “Forget Weed, Wine and Xanax: Science Has Better Ways to Treat Anxiety; Anxiety Now Affects One-Third of Americans--a Three-Fold Rise from Pre-Pandemic Levels. New Scientific Insights Are Pointing the Way toward Effective Treatment.” Link, https://link-gale-w9ba.orc.scoolaid.net/apps/doc/A722909764/ITOF?u=nysl_li_harb&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6fab316d.
Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World, Harper Perennial, 2006.
Juergens, Jeffrey. “Teen Drug Abuse” Addiction Center, Feb. 22, 2019. https://www.addictioncenter.com/teenage-drug-abuse/
“Overdose Death Rates.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 21 July 2022, nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates.
Peper, Erik, et al. "Reduce Anxiety (1)." Townsend Letter, no. 471, Oct. 2022, pp. 42+. Gale General OneFile, link-gale-w9ba.orc.scoolaid.net/apps/doc/A726740888/ITOF?u=nysl_li_harb&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=bad3acba. Accessed 21 Dec. 2022.
Rosen, Christine. “Keep Them Offline: The case for banning kids from social media.” June 27, 2022. https://go-gale-w9ba.orc.scoolaid.net/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T003&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=800&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=1&docId=GALE%7CA706938339&docType=Article&sort=Relevance&contentSegment=ZGPP-MOD1&prodId=ITOF&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CA706938339&searchId=R3&userGroupName=nysl_li_harb&inPS=true
Simmons, Andrew. “As Teen Stress Increases, Teachers Look for Answers”, November 20, 2019. https://www.edutopia.org/article/teen-stress-increases-teachers-look-answers/