A ‘legal high’ is perhaps more accurately described as an unbanned substance which possesses the ability to alter the mental and physical state of an individual to mimic illegal drugs, based on its distinct chemical properties. Legal highs are ‘not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act’ , but restrictions prohibit the selling of legal highs for the consumption of human beings hence they are often sold as chemicals such as bath salts. Substance misuse with regards to ‘legal highs’, young people and the limited success of policies implemented currently to eradicate such misuse is a prevalent issue subject to intense debate amongst politicians globally. A report published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre states how ‘in 2013, 16 per cent of pupils had ever taken drugs’, illegal and legal inclusive. …show more content…
This is a clear indication of the lack of current government policy successes as the figure remained constant from previous years, however a range of other crucial factors such as ease of access, lack of realism and legality play a significant role in the increased use of ‘legal highs’, the most significant factor being social pressures which cannot be overlooked. Although educating the youth on the dangers of using ‘legal highs’ as well as introducing certain policies has increased awareness of the dangers that these substances possess, one can argue that the existence of the term ‘legal high’ in itself is evidence of the little influence that government policies have on the decision of an individual to misuse substances and had previous government crackdowns significantly reduced its use then such a term would cease to exist. Inevitably this leads us to ask the question, why then is the message not getting
The next dimension looks at drug trying and how rates have increased (especially during the 1990s) among adolescent Britons over the past few decades (Parker et al, 1998). Drug trying rates are younger than ever with young Britons being the most involved drug
Many have long argued that prohibition simply does not work. ( ) Today, the strict policy on cannabis is reinforced by severe punishment. In reality, police forces have been growing more lenient to cannabis use, prioritising more pressing areas, indicating a change in law enforcement attitude to the drug. ( ) This may also suggest a change in social culture. The flaws of prohibition are present today regarding the so-called ‘War on Drugs’. People who are otherwise innocent are swept into the criminal justice system because of cannabis use. (6) Thus, they face the problem of a criminal record and may even become involved with harmful activity whilst in the criminal justice system. This situation has wrongly allowed cannabis to be a powerful
Mark Rodriguez English 3 Honors Christina Nidowicz 29 October 2017 Annotated Bibliography Dr. Tedros. “Substance Abuse.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 2017, www.who.int/topics/substance_abuse/en/. Dr. Tedros, director of the World Health organization, refers to the harmful and hazardous use of psychoactive substances. He explains how the use of these drugs can lead to a change in behavior, a strong desire to take the drug, difficulty in controlling its use, and a severe change in behavior. He then explains the many policies his organization has to prevent the use of non medication cannabis.
During this modern era it is highly likely that individuals during adolescence will begin to corrupt their minds by abusing drugs , including tobacco , alcohol and many other illegal prescriptions. The reason behind abusing drugs may vary from person to person however the coure foundation lies beneath the desire for new experiences , an attempt to deal with stress or depression and also peer pressure. Even though individuals strive to seek peace or joy through harmful substances in an unhealthy manner , there can be very serious long term consequences. Yet , many individuals start using “light” drugs and move on towards abusing deadly drugs . The gateway theory demonstrates a Popular theory that when adolescence use cannabis , later in life
Cannabis use appears to have increased dramatically over the past two decades. British Crime Survey (BCS) data show that, in England and Wales, lifetime use between 1981 and 2000 amongst those aged 20 to 24 years rose from 12 per cent to 52 per cent. In the same age group, the 2000 BCS suggested that use in the previous year was 27 per cent, and in the previous month was 18 per cent. By comparison, use of amphetamine or heroin in the past month was 3 per cent and less than 0.5
To gain a well rounded analysis, we look to other studies which emphasise the enduring strength of barriers – peer pressure, parental attachment, personal value systems – that keep most young people from associating with a culture in which familiarity with drugs is ‘normal '. The idea behind this argument is that drug use is in fact far from the norm, young drug users hold the same values as that of wider society and they only take drugs because they are trying to neutralise the guilt that has resulted from engaging in a behaviour they know is ultimately wrong. With this argument in mind, one could argue that it is up to the criminal justice system to help regulate illegal drug use because young people are aware that what they are doing is wrong and carry on doing so because they already feel guilty about breaking societal values. As plausible as this argument may seem, such an interpretation is simplistic in that it makes assumptions that those who take drugs perceive it to be wrong, instead they may just feel guilt because of the existing societal sanctions that are in place and not because they are breaking so called 'societal values '. Having said this, there are also other studies which support the findings of the NWELS. South argues that "the ‘normalisation of drug use’ reflects society’s undeniable awareness of drugs issues; for example, drugs education and prevention efforts indicate that these substances are no longer perceived as exceptional and remote but as
A common belief is that drugs cause crime; and in the criminal justice system there are terms used for crime that is related to or due to the use of drugs. First there are “drug defined offences”, in which is the possession, use, sale, or manufacturing of illegal drugs. Second, is “drug related offences”, which occur when drugs are either the motive or the incentive. This occurs when a person is either under the influence of a drug and commits a crime; commits a crime in order to get money for drugs; or commits a crime due to the distribution of drugs. The final term is “drug-using lifestyle” in which individuals do not have a legitimate economic income and are involved in the illegal manufacturing and distribution of drugs (Pacitti, Balleine, & Killcross, 2013).
There was a great push for a non-judgmental approach that would ‘reduce physical, social and psychological risks to individuals who use drugs and to society as a whole’ (McCann & Temenos, 2015, p. 217). Never the less, this was a highly contested set of policy formulation across all levels of governance.
Prohibition has been initiated many times throughout history in attempt to control and deter civilians from the use of substances or from different types of behaviors that are believed to be destructive. More recently, several types have been discussed in terms of the social problem of substance abuse and ways that can be implemented in the methods of attempting to prevent the continued global spread of this problem. According to MacCoun, Reuter, Pacula, et al, “The appropriate legal response to marijuana possession has been a matter of public debate in the U.S. and Western Europe since the 1970s…” (Do Citizens Know Whether Their State Has Decriminalized Marijuana?..., 2009, pg. 348). The growing problem of illicit substance use has
Monaghan, Mark. 'Policy analysis: Drug Policy Governance in the UK: Lessons from changes to and debates concerning the classification of cannabis under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act.'?International Journal of Drug Policy,25, 2014, pp.1025-1030.
The National Institute in Drug Abuse defines synthetic drugs to include any substance which is used for the purpose of mimicking the effects of illegal chemicals and/or that which contain stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic properties (Minnesota Department of Human Services, 2015). Products of this nature, such as Synthetic Marijuana are becoming an increasing threat to public health (primarily affecting youth), resulting in hospitalizations of users, and in the worse cases, death (Carter, 2011). The purpose of this paper will be to examine existing policy concerning synthetic drug sales, abuse, in particular policy creating public awareness and prevention. Provided in this paper
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
Under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, controlled substances are classified into three classes by the level of harm they are judged to cause (Home Office, 2002). Recent criticisms of this classification system (see RSA, 2007, for a critique) include its failure to embrace other harmful substances, such as volatile substances, that are available to young people. Therefore the present study moved beyond legislation to adopt the UN Office on Drugs and Crime definition of a drug as ‘any substance people take to change the way they feel, think or behave’ (2002, p. 11). This broader definition permitted the inclusion of volatile substances and amyl nitrate under the ‘drugs’ umbrella. Alcohol and tobacco are treated separately from this definition.
Currently drug abuse is the issue that has plagued almost all the societies in the world. This problem poses serious threat to the life of people both in developed and underdeveloped countries. There are different kinds of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, ecstasy, and methamphetamine and so on (McGeorge & Aitken, 1997). Young and age-old people largely use many of these drugs. People usually consider these drugs as a relief from their worries, but these drugs lead them towards addition and psychotic disorders that eventually destroy their health. Legislative authorities in almost every part of the world have been trying to save their generations from the abuse, but the use of these drugs never ended. However, these legislations help to minimize the numbers of drug users where their implementation is done properly (Hall et al., 2004). The aim of this research paper is to provide knowledge about the Cannabis Legalization in Australia and the people’s approach who favor or oppose this legalization. Cannabis drug use, impacts, cannabis legalization in Australia and its advantages and disadvantages will also
Drugs have been a problem in society for a very long time and it is still an ongoing subject of debate. Different organisations work hard to keep people from using drugs, though a new issue has arisen. During the last few years there have been discussions in some countries to decriminalize soft drugs, including cannabis and ecstasy.