University:
York University
Course:
AP/SOSC 3118 | Drugs And Society
Academic year:

2024
Views:

54

Pages:

2
Author:

Nick T.

Drug Use as a Social Problem Two Categories of Problems problems directly related to taking a drug - risk of developing drug dependence risk of overdose problems related to continued use of certain drugs, which are considered a deviant act arrests, fines, and Jailing - expenses associated with drug prevention and treatment Changes in the United States Drug Laws. • in the 1800s, the United States had virtually no laws governing the sale or use of most drugs main Concerns that aroused public interest toxicity dangerous, toxic chemicals were sold without appropriate warnings dependence habit forming drugs were sold without appropriate warnings Crime drug users were seen as a threat to public safety → Drug-Related Toxicity • toxic means poisonous, deadly, or dangerous types Physiological versus behavioral toxicity - acute versus Chronic toxicity Acute and Chronic Effects • acute Prescription painkiller overdose can slow respiration rate to dangerously low levels - behavioral impairment due to drug intoxication • Chronic - high blood pressure - neurological damage - liver damage Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). • a system for collecting data on drug-related emergency room visits - data collected from some hospitals in metropolitan areas in the U.S. • DAWN Collects data on: - drug related deaths emergency room visits it does not track an emergency room visit related only to alcohol use by an adult • does DAWN tell us how dangerous a drug is? - data are simply number of mentions in total ER visits What does DAWN not tell us? - relative danger of a drug. did not correct for differences in rates of use but gave an idea of the relative impact of a Substance on medical emergencies - Cause of ER visit ↳ in an accident, au the drugs consumed by a patient are mentioned regardless of the drug that caused the accident