Substance Abuse: Substance Abuse

We live in a world where war against drug abuse is a continuous struggle.

Drugs are classified as legal and illegal. Medicines, cigarettes, and alcohol are considered legal drugs. But excessive drinking and smoking by adults, and especially by teenagers, also poses a threat for extensive addiction. Medicines that are taken without proper prescription are detrimental as well.

Illegal or prohibited drugs, like heroin and marijuana, are those that have intoxicating effects to the human body and usually produce negative behaviors when taken. The common abused substances include alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, narcotics, heroin, steroids, inhalants, stimulants, depressants, club drugs and prescription medications. Unfortunately, all these drugs are being abused widely. We cannot discount the fact that substance abuse or addiction is among the most serious socioeconomic problems we are facing today. It is a persistent menace that needs to be addressed head on.

The negative consequences of addiction are school failure, poor judgment that may pose higher risks for accidents, violence, and unproductive work output and in some instances, suicide.

Substance abuse negatively affects not only the person involved but others as well. Domestic violence, child abuse and failed marriages are the most common results. Schools and communities are also negatively impacted by drug abuse, as the quality of education eventually deteriorates and the crime and unemployment rate rises. Consequently, the nation’s economic status also suffers.

Fortunately, we have various agencies and facilities that cater to the prevention, reduction and treatment of illegal substance use. If you think someone has drug abuse problem, the best thing to do is to contact the right sources to get that person help.

Given this, it is better to educate our children at an early age regarding the effects of illicit drug use. A better understanding of these drugs will prevent them from being victims later on.

Overtaken Documentary (Edited) [Original Version] – Jodi Barber and Christine Brant have teamed up with Ashley Media to produce a documentary about the ongoing prescription pill epidemic in Orange County. Please visit onechoicecandestroy.com to learn more about Jodi and Christine’s fight against this crisis, and take a second to share this with your friends and family. Please also check out previous videos of Jodi’s, such as Mark Melkonian’s Tree Dedication and the 2011 Aliso Niguel Drug Assembly. Edited to preserve the identities of a few individuals included in the original film by Kaard Bombe.

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