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To what extent should the U.S government invest in residential treatment…
To what extent should the U.S government invest in residential treatment facilities to address the issue of addiction in young adults because of the legalization of drugs in the U.S?
Historical/Background Information
War on Drugs led to calls for reform where some countries then began to decriminalize cannabis for personal use.
Drug laws here in the U.S. specifically led to mass incarceration. Critics began to push for alternatives like harm reduction
:
A chance to change harm reduction policies can help addiction struggles without resorting to incarceration
Increased violence, crime, and public health which questions the current criminalization strategies.
Prohibitive policies can lead to high overdose rates and incarceration rates
A more compassionate, health focus approach advocating for the need of effective regulation and harm reduction
Portugal became a pioneer by decriminalizing all drugs for personal use and focused more on treatment and less on punishment
Colorado and Washington became the first two U.S. states to legalize recreational cannabis, which then created a wave of similar laws
"Previous research agreed that legalization caused populations to be more accepting of cannabis but differed on other critical points."- Nevada Today
"The research found that the legalization had more effect on female participants’ use when compared to the male subjects, although the exact reasoning for this is unknown."- Nevada Today
"“Around 70% said that legalization had no impact on their use of other drugs. Sometimes, they talk about cannabis as a gateway drug. It's like, ‘Oh yeah, once cannabis is legal, they're going to use everything.’ But that's not the case.”- Nevada Today
Many countries and states have moved towards legalizing or decriminalizing cannabis, with some discussions or creating broader drug policies.
Reconsidering policies and engaging in a progressive convo about drug use and human rights.
Because surveys are showing the massive rise in drug use ESPECIALLY among young teens because of how cannabis specifically became the most common substance which collaborated with other used substances that slowly increased ALL substance rates.
Solutions
Promote mental well-being can potentially redirect at-risk adolescents away from addiction, and involving themselves in healthier communities.
Prescriptions lead many teens into harder substances is needed for creating prevention efforts focused on safe prescription usage and effective pain management education
Mental health protection strategies to initiate education on substance abuse.
Drug Free Workplaces contributing to a healthier society.
Necessary resources and guidelines for employees' initiates workplace policies risk employers with those resources can fight for the misuse in substances. This promotes healthier workplace but also economic prodictivity.
Go from aiming at punishment to a more balanced approach that considers public health, economic factors, and the international perspective.
Addressing drug use from a criminal issue to more of a public health concern and focus more on education, prevention, and treatment rather than punishment on those who could better manage drug use and its risk like the government.
Regulating drug market causes the government to generate tax revenues and reduce law enforcement associated with drug prohibition.
Health initiatives
Addiction Treatment
Education Programs
Focusing on the massive increase of drug abuse and addressing them through education and treatment programs
Significance of tailored interventions, the role of family support, and addressing educational needs highlights on understanding of teen drug treatment
personalized treatment plans essential for fostering long lasting success for every teen's different sobriety journey.
availability of resources with the support mechanisms can impact the lives of teens guiding them to a healthier future.
addiction treatment strategies that are understanding brain development and allowing reasoning for more effective interventions for teen use.
dynamics and programs that help grow healthier family relationships which supports teen recovery
adventure therapy and group therapy to show flexibility of programs
rehab centers acknowledging academic responsibilities of teens even through drug use
The contributors to the Drug Legalization Handbook offer a compelling case for reevaluating drug policy with an emphasis on humane treatment market regulation, and the prioritization of human rights, urging an honest dialogue on how society should address drug use moving forward.
more compassionate view of drug users and advocate for sensible policies that respect individual liberties while prioritizing public health.
Inherent nature can solve issues especially associated with drug use without heavy-handed government interventions, creating safer environments for drug transactions and consumptions
advocating for providing those struggling with addiction the necessary tools and resources to overcome the challenges rather than subjecting them to incarceration that limits their ability to recover.
Having the rights of your own choices regarding your body
"As this volume demonstrates, we should view drug legalization not as a social danger to fear, but as an opportunity to save lives and reduce crime,” says Veronica Wright, founder of the National Coalition for Drug Legalization and author of multiple chapters in the handbook. " - Drug prohibition has failed, it is time to legalize drugs
"America’s over-incarceration problems and creating market opportunities for drug cartels and other unsavory actors in the illicit market" - Drug prohibition has failed, it is time to legalize drugs
Financial avenues and the importance of awareness and measures to overcome addiction
avalibility to free rehab options show the immediate support in need for the population of users of substance abuse.
treatment is proven to save society's money in healthcare and criminal justice cost
"Rehab centers acknowledging academic responsibilities of teens even through drug use" - American Addiction Centers
"Research has shown that every dollar invested in a substance abuse center saves $4 in healthcare costs and $7 in law enforcement and criminal justice costs."- American Addiction Centers
"Treatment saves government resources and taxpayer money, and it results in more effective recovery; therefore, there have been a number of methods established to provide public assistance for drug and alcohol addiction prevention, treatment, and rehab."- American Addiction Centers
many states and federal assistance programs are financially assisting aid for substance abuse treatment
"The U.S. government agency that offers much of this support is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA provides information, services, and grants aimed at helping rehab centers and substance abuse programs provide much-needed services to those who need them but can’t necessarily afford them."- American Addiction Centers
SAMHSA grants are mandated by Congress to help fund substance abuse & mental health programs/treatment.
Problems Within Substance Abuse Financially
"Many treatment programs—especially inpatient programs—are simply cost-prohibitive for a large number of people. As a result, many people who may need help with substance abuse issues and addiction put off treatment, which means that those people may decide to not get help at all."- American Addiction Centers
Demographics
Multi faced approach involving education, community engagement, and tailored interventions
500% increase in opioid overdoses among teens.
Transitioning into your adulthood increases mental health and substance abuse disorders which shows the constant cycle of challenges getting in the way to boost numbers.
Links to Substance Abuse - Psychological Issues & Physical Health Issues
One of those reasons of increase is certain substances beginning to become legalized in different states. Misusing is the problem in the states where its being legalized
60% of teens experiment with marijuana which leads into various reasons of why statistics show the massive increase.
Alcohol tends to overshadow other drugs because it's the most common used.
"Teens, like adults, use a wide range of illegal drugs and prescription medications including tranquilizers, Xanax, Ritalin, LSD, marijuana, alcohol, and other drugs recreationally."- Teen and Youth Addiction Statistics and Demographics
Business and Economy
Drug Users and the effect of substance abuse on the economy and workforce extend beyond
individual users
affecting productivity
healthcare costs
educational outcomes
Employees are dealing with financial losses due to the lack of productivity in workers and the increased healthcare costs
The recognition of drug abuse not only occurring outside the workplace representing a challenge in labor markets.
The policies presented in the handbook are making people reconsider current policies.
American Addiction Centers is an organization that helps provide treatment for people who struggle with addiction financially that the government directly CANNOT help with except for grants.