Psychoactive Substances Should Be Regulated Essay

The definitions have progressed from tolerance or withdrawal symptoms from a specific drug to chronic intoxication, continued use with increased dosage, dependence, and damaging effects to user (Reinarman 2005). Both of these definitions proved to be too restrictive because all drugs do not have the same effects on every user. The current definition used by physicians and the criminal justice system is based on seven criteria (Reinarman 2005). The constant evolution of how the professional world views drug dependence mirrors society’s change in the understanding of addiction. Historically, “the drink” was viewed as the devil and drugs were often thought to be the cause of many criminal acts (Schneider 2003). After the medicalization of addiction and dawn of decriminalization of drug abuse, public opinion of deviant alcohol and drug use has changed. For the family unit, it is much simpler to accept and approach treatment for addiction if it is classified as a medical disease. In society, drug users can be framed as patients instead of criminals based on current standards. By looking at addiction as a treatable set of signs and symptoms instead of holding the individual accountable for actions they committed while intoxicated, the disease concept releases a lot of the stigma that goes along with

Throughout this essay the sociological imagination is used to analyse the historical, cultural and structural reasons for drug use and abuse. Within this parameter the sociological imagination is applied, using studies research conducted in the United Kingdom, Australia, Russia and the United States. The sociological imagination was defined by Charles Write Mills as a ‘quality of mind’. (Mills quoted by Germov, Poole 2007: 4 ) It is stimulated by an awareness to view the social world by looking at how one’s own personal problems and experiences form a relationship to the wider society. In Victorian society the majority of people believed there was no ‘drug problem.' (Berridge, 1999) The substances used in Britain at the time like opium

The history of addiction goes back centuries, and unfortunately, there is still a long way to go for people to realize the effects of chemical substances do more harm than good. The difference between drug use and abuse relies heavily on a person’s dependence on the substance. The line between the differences is often very fine. Depending on other factors involved, such as morals, values, environment, and genetic predisposition, the line will most likely be crossed without regard to the consequences until treatment and recovery are the only options left. This is essay compares two theoretical explanations

For better or worse, many societies of the modern world tolerate certain methods of self-intoxication. Despite the possibility of negative consequences, all the cultures of the world the consumption of substances like alcohol and tobacco are sanctioned under particular circumstances. All societies face the reality that significant proportions of mankind seek to the same time expressly criminalizing others. This irony is made more bizarre by the evidence that a myriad of rich cultural timelines can supply to demonstrate that there is reasonable historical precedence in existence to show the use of alternative forms of drugs being cultivated and utilized.(McKenna)

Although the English word “drug” was only coined in the early 1300’s, humans have been partaking in the recreational use of substances since prehistoric times. Hallucinogens, alcohol, and opium existed before 6,000 BC; alcohol and tobacco use were common in the 1600’s ; and cocaine, LSD, marijuana, and heroin use rampaged in the last century despite harsh laws put in place.

Since the beginning of time people have been using all kinds of substances to make them feel liberated. Alcohol and marijuana are consumed every day in America by teenagers to elderly people; there is no set range on who consumes these drugs. Despite efforts from imposed laws: people feel the need to consume these substances and encage in behaviors out of the ordinary. Drugs and alcohol are used in the story “Cathedral” but also they are used in Raymond Carver’s personal life.

Introduction - Use of psychoactive substances for recreational purposes is not a radically new social issue. In fact, history tells us that almost every society had their own pharmacopeia of herbs, potions, and substances that not only contributed to healing, but also allowed the user to escape reality (Schules 1992, 4-5). However, it is the contemporary use of psychoactive drugs purchased through illicit or illegal channels and used by persons neither prescribed nor in quantities larger than necessary that defines modern drug abuse (Robins 2006). Prior to World War I, substances like morphine, heroin, and cocaine were available in the major American cities, particularly those with active international ports. For instance, when Chinese immigrants were first imported to work in the mines and railroads during the early 1800s, they brought opium to America. It was the leisure class, who began to experiment with this drug, and, as in Europe, many major U.S. cities had so-called opium dens. In addition, there were a substantial number of "society women" who ended up addicted because their doctor prescribed this drug to deal with female histrionics or to "cure" an excessive sexual appetite (Johnson 2002). Within major cities, this problem began to spill over into other groups: prostitutes, child laborers, orphans, and even men and women of lower social classes seeking to escape the harshness of their lives (Courtwright 2002, 3-19). Between the widespread use and general

In 1970, the controlled substances act was passed to regulate the manufacture and distribution of drugs whose use may result in dependency or abuse. Since the Act was passed anyone who has access to Controlled substance is watch and monitored very carefully by the Drug Enforcement Administration which is a branch of the department of justice, to regulate the use of these drugs. This includes to prescribing, refilling, and storing the controlled substances. This law is in place to control the distribution of these drugs legally and illegally. Doctors and medical assistants are responsible for maintaining the controlled substances in the office, with that when a drug is leaving an office it is critical to log the patients name, drug name, dose, date, ordering physician, and employee who handled the procedure. With having this law in place the bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Established a Schedule to categorize these Controlled substances. Schedule I, The high category of high risk drugs are not approved for medical use. These include heroin, Marijuana, opium, peyote, mescaline, etc.. Schedule II, are the drugs with a high instance of abuse or addiction and no refills are allowed. A new prescription is always

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) gives certain bodies or individuals such as research scientists, pharmacies, doctors and manufacturers the legal right to access controlled substances.

In Adam Barton’s film, The Stoned Ages (2011), researches the historical use of drugs and the institutional response upon the use of drugs by the masses. The Stoned Ages (2011) exposes an overwhelming discovery of drug use by people of ancient times and a connection of persistent patterns world-wide. Human beings have been in pursuit of expanding psychological capabilities from the beginning of human evolution (Barton, 2011). Social advancements depicted in The Stone Ages (2011), have derived from the use substances such as psychedelic mushrooms, during ancient rituals; permitting individuals to communicate with sacred Gods. Barton (2011) also discovers the use of drugs among Ancient Greek politicians as well, illustrating the wide use of drugs among people around the world and therefore theorizing the concept of drug use as an element of human behavior (Barton, 2011). According to Marc-Antoine Crocq’s (2007) research article summarizing the existence of drug use throughout the history of human-kind; “Schematically, psychoactive substances have been used (1) in religious ceremonies by priests; (ii) for medicinal purposes; or (iii) massively, as staple commodities, by large segments of the population in a socially approved way” (Crocq, 2007). Explained in Barton’s (2011) documentary however, the use of drugs had dire consequences caused by elitists’ hunger for power; Christians forbade the use of drugs with severe tactics of enforcement and lethally persecuting those who

This drug, coffee, is favored in the nation as a “tool” to concentrate and function in our highly productive society to the best of our ability. Despite caffeine being a psychoactive substance it is accepted and popular among teen and young adults with no stigma, but what about other drugs like

In pre-modern times, drugs took on a role of medicinal use. As they were distributed in a free market without any constraints, Opium was recommended for sleepless nights, Cocaine for anesthesia, Hashish for relaxation (Hart, Ksir & Ray). These drugs were not dubbed as harmful, therefore, under the appropriate circumstances, provided beneficial effects to its users. More recently, individuals are more inclined to use drugs as an ‘escape’. Stimulants provide a sort of alternate existence which tends to reduce mental tension, increase energy, or induce euphoria (Hart, Ksir & Ray). Argumentatively speaking, drug use only affects the user, so there is no valid reasoning for impairing the freedom of citizens by prohibiting them. Individuals benefit by having the freedom to use

It is important to note that ‘drugs’ as we know them today that are processed, packaged and concentrated, are not the ‘drugs’ of the ancestral past. Indigenous peoples as well as ancestors to homo sapiens used plants as both food and medicine, in other words, as a ‘mundane’ resources that have psychotropic effects (Sullivan and Hagen 2001). In terms of general substance-seeking, which speaks to mundane substance-use not abuse, the well-known reward system of drug and alcohol use is often inaccurate. Opposing Dudley’s view, Sullivan and Hagen suggest that first-time drug use is often aversive, for example 0.3% of the population in the United States uses cocaine (a 1999 statistic), but one quarter of the world uses unrefined nicotine with no

I, like the vast majority of people, disagree with proposition that drugs should be legalised. Accepting this act would be the same like taking money from people for killing them. We don‘t need legalisation, we need to fight against it, try to save people who are standing on the edge of a precipice, not to push them from it.

We as human are exuberantly driven towards everything that alters our consciousness and increases our adrenaline. We instinctively tend to enjoy or at least experiment intoxication; it’s part of our nature. For instance, through childhood, sugar is a great way to obtain some sort of intoxication. Some activities could alter our consciousness as well. The thrill experienced riding a roller coaster, or simply running away from our parents whenever we did something inappropriate. Through adulthood, the game of intoxication is definitely elevated because of the vast array of options available. A few adults attain to experiment almost every possible way of intoxication. Adolescence is perhaps where most of us tried cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and during modern times syrup or anything that furnish intoxication. After a great season experimenting every possible way of intoxication, and bearing in mind that few of those alternatives are illegal from the authority's perspective, some of us move towards legal alternatives to satiate our desire of intoxication. The coffee plant offers a great source of intoxication. It’s safe as far as we know, and it’s accessible and relatively inexpensive. How our coevolution with it allowed the spread of this plant almost in every continent; moreover, what makes the fruit of the coffee plant so enjoyable that makes us willing to drink it and enjoy its intoxicating effect and pleasurable sensation? It’s an enjoyable experience that gives us a