essay on drugs issue

• Engineering
• Write For Us
• Privacy Policy

Essay on Drug Abuse

Here we have shared the Essay on Drug Abuse in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Drug Abuse in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams. 

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Drug Abuse in 150 words

Essay on drug abuse in 250-300 words, essay on drug abuse in 500-1000 words.

Drug abuse is a global issue that poses serious risks to individuals and society. It involves the harmful and excessive use of drugs, leading to physical and mental health problems. Drug abuse can result in addiction, organ damage, cognitive impairment, and social and economic difficulties. Prevention efforts should focus on education, raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is crucial for recovery. Strengthening law enforcement measures against drug trafficking is necessary to address the supply side of the problem. Creating supportive environments and opportunities for positive engagement can help prevent drug abuse. By taking collective action, we can combat drug abuse and build healthier communities.

Drug abuse is a growing global concern that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Drug abuse has severe consequences for individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, damage vital organs, and increase the risk of overdose. Mentally, it can cause cognitive impairment, and psychological disorders, and deteriorate overall well-being. Additionally, drug abuse often leads to social and economic problems, such as strained relationships, loss of employment, and criminal activities.

Preventing drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs play a crucial role in informing individuals about the dangers of drug abuse and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is vital to help individuals recover from substance abuse. Strengthening law enforcement efforts to curb drug trafficking and promoting international cooperation is also essential to address the supply side of the issue.

Community support and a nurturing environment are critical in preventing drug abuse. Creating opportunities for individuals, especially young people, to engage in positive activities and providing social support systems can serve as protective factors against drug abuse.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a significant societal problem with detrimental effects on individuals and communities. It requires a comprehensive approach involving education, prevention, treatment, and enforcement. By addressing the root causes, raising awareness, and providing support to those affected, we can combat drug abuse and create a healthier and safer society for all.

Title: Drug Abuse – A Global Crisis Demanding Urgent Action

Introduction :

Drug abuse is a pressing global issue that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. This essay explores the causes and consequences of drug abuse, the social and economic impact, prevention and treatment strategies, and the importance of raising awareness and fostering supportive communities in addressing this crisis.

Causes and Factors Contributing to Drug Abuse

Several factors contribute to drug abuse. Genetic predisposition, peer pressure, stress, trauma, and environmental influences play a role in initiating substance use. The availability and accessibility of drugs, as well as societal norms and cultural acceptance, also influence drug abuse patterns. Additionally, underlying mental health issues and co-occurring disorders can drive individuals to self-medicate with drugs.

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse has devastating consequences on individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Substance abuse affects vital organs, impairs cognitive function, and increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, are often associated with drug abuse. Substance abuse also takes a toll on relationships, leading to strained family dynamics, social isolation, and financial instability. The social and economic costs of drug abuse include increased healthcare expenses, decreased productivity, and the burden on criminal justice systems.

Prevention and Education

Preventing drug abuse requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs are essential in schools, communities, and the media to inform individuals about the risks and consequences of drug abuse. Promoting healthy coping mechanisms, stress management skills, and decision-making abilities can empower individuals to resist peer pressure and make informed choices. Early intervention programs that identify at-risk individuals and provide support and resources are crucial in preventing substance abuse.

Treatment and Recovery

Access to quality healthcare and evidence-based addiction treatment is vital in addressing drug abuse. Treatment options include detoxification, counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments. Rehabilitation centers, support groups, and outpatient programs provide a continuum of care for individuals seeking recovery. Holistic approaches, such as addressing co-occurring mental health disorders and promoting healthy lifestyles, contribute to successful long-term recovery. Support from family, friends, and communities plays a significant role in sustaining recovery and preventing relapse.

Law Enforcement and Drug Policies

Effective law enforcement efforts are necessary to disrupt drug trafficking and dismantle illicit drug networks. International cooperation and collaboration are crucial in combating the global drug trade. Additionally, drug policies should focus on a balanced approach that combines law enforcement with prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies. Shifting the emphasis from punitive measures toward prevention and rehabilitation can lead to more effective outcomes.

Creating Supportive Communities:

Fostering supportive communities is vital in addressing drug abuse. Communities should provide resources, social support networks, and opportunities for positive engagement. This includes promoting healthy recreational activities, providing vocational training, and creating safe spaces for individuals in recovery. Reducing the stigma associated with drug abuse and encouraging empathy and understanding are crucial to building a compassionate and supportive environment.

Conclusion :

Drug abuse remains a complex and multifaceted issue with far-reaching consequences. By addressing the causes, raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, providing quality treatment and support services, and fostering supportive communities, we can combat drug abuse and alleviate its impact. It requires collaboration and a collective effort from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to build a society that is resilient against the scourge of drug abuse. Through education, prevention, treatment, and compassion, we can pave the way toward a healthier and drug-free future.

Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts

Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

What Is drug addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.

It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs.

Video: Why are Drugs So Hard to Quit?

What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?

Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit," causing euphoria as well as flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. A properly functioning reward system motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy behaviors like taking drugs, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.

As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adapts by reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug to try and achieve the same high. These brain adaptations often lead to the person becoming less and less able to derive pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food, sex, or social activities.

Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:

• decision-making

Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.

Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don't?

No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

• Biology . The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.
• Environment . A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person’s likelihood of drug use and addiction.
• Development . Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.

Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?

As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn’t a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient’s drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Points to Remember

• Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.
• Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.
• Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment.
• Most drugs affect the brain's reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy activities, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.
• Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.
• No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.
• Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.
• More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

For information about understanding drug use and addiction, visit:

• www.nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-abuse-addiction

For more information about the costs of drug abuse to the United States, visit:

• www.nida.nih.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics#costs

For more information about prevention, visit:

• www.nida.nih.gov/related-topics/prevention

For more information about treatment, visit:

• www.nida.nih.gov/related-topics/treatment

To find a publicly funded treatment center in your state, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit:

• https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

This publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated, using the following language: Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• v.14(11); 2022 Nov

Substance Abuse Amongst Adolescents: An Issue of Public Health Significance

1 School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, IND

Sonali G Choudhari

2 School of Epidemiology and Public Health; Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, IND

Sarika U Dakhode

3 Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College, Amravati, IND

Asmita Rannaware

Abhay m gaidhane.

Adolescence is a crucial time for biological, psychological, and social development. It is also a time when substance addiction and its adverse effects are more likely to occur. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to the negative long-term effects of substance use, including mental health illnesses, sub-par academic performance, substance use disorders, and higher chances of getting addicted to alcohol and marijuana. Over the past few decades, there have been substantial changes in the types of illegal narcotics people consume. The present article deals with the review of substance abuse as a public health problem, its determinants, and implications seen among adolescents. A systematic literature search using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar was undertaken to search all relevant literature on teenage stimulant use. The findings have been organized into categories to cover essential aspects like epidemiology, neurobiology, prevention, and treatment. The review showed that substance addiction among adolescents between 12 to 19 years is widespread, though national initiatives exist to support young employment and their development. Research on psychological risk factors for teenage substance abuse is vast, wherein conduct disorders, including aggression, impulsivity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, have been mentioned as risk factors for substance use. Parents' attitudes toward drugs, alcohol, academic and peer pressure, stress, and physical outlook are key determinants. Teenage drug usage has a significant negative impact on users, families, and society as a whole. It was found that a lot has been done to provide correct intervention to those in need with the constant development of programs and rehabilitative centers to safeguard the delicate minds of youths and prevent them from using intoxicants. Still, there is much need for stringent policy and program guidelines to curb this societal menace. 

Introduction and background

Drug misuse is a widespread issue; in 2016, 5.6% of people aged 15 to 26 reported using drugs at least once [ 1 ]. Because alcohol and illegal drugs represent significant issues for public health and urgent care, children and adolescents frequently visit emergency rooms [ 2 ]. It is well known that younger people take drugs more often than older adults for most drugs. Drug usage is on the rise in many Association of Southeast Asian Nations, particularly among young males between the ages of 15 and 30 years [ 3 ]. According to the 2013 Global Burden of Disease report, drug addiction is a growing problem among teenagers and young people. Early substance use increases the likelihood of future physical, behavioral, social, and health issues [ 4 ]. Furthermore, recreational drug use is a neglected contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality [ 5 ]. One of the adverse outcomes of adolescent substance use is the increased risk of addiction in those who start smoking, drinking, and taking drugs before they are of 18 years. Moreover, most individuals with Substance Use Disorders begin using substances when they are young [ 6 ]. Substance use disorders amongst adolescents have long-term adverse health effects but can be mitigated with efficient treatment [ 7 ].

Childhood abuse is linked to suicidal thoughts and attempts. The particular mental behavior that mediates the link between childhood trauma and adult suicidal ideation and attempts is yet unknown. Recent studies show teens experiencing suicidal thoughts, psychiatric illness symptoms like anxiety, mood, and conduct disorders, and various types of child maltreatment like sexual abuse, corporal punishment, and emotional neglect that further leads to children inclining toward intoxicants [ 8 ]. Although teen substance use has generally decreased over the past five years, prolonged opioid, marijuana, and binge drinking use are still common among adolescents and young adults [ 9 ]. Drug-using students are more prone to commit crimes, including bullying and violent behavior. It has also been connected to various mental conditions, depending on the substance used. On the other hand, it has been linked to social disorder, abnormal behavior, and association with hostile groups [ 10 ]. Adolescent substance users suffer risks and consequences on the psychological, sociocultural, or behavioral levels that may manifest physiologically [ 11 ]. About 3 million deaths worldwide were caused by alcohol consumption alone. The majority of the 273,000 preventable fatalities linked to alcohol consumption are in India [ 12 ], which is the leading contributor. The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime conducted a national survey on the extent, patterns, and trends of drug abuse in India in 2003, which found that there were 2 million opiate users, 8.7 million cannabis users, and 62.5 million alcohol users in India, of whom 17% to 20% are dependent [ 13 ]. According to prevalence studies, 13.1% of drug users in India are under the age of 20 [ 14 ].

In India, alcohol and tobacco are legal drugs frequently abused and pose significant health risks, mainly when the general populace consumes them. States like Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have the highest rates of drug abuse, and the Indian government works hard to provide them with helpful services that educate and mentor them. This increases the burden of non-communicable illnesses too [ 15 ]. In addition, several substances/drugs are Narcotic and Psychotropic and used despite the act named ‘Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. 

This review article sheds light on ‘substance abuse’ amongst adolescents as an issue of public health significance, its determinants, and its implications on the health and well-being of adolescents.

Methodology

The present article deals with the narrative review of substance abuse as a public health problem, its determinants, and implications seen among adolescents. A systematic literature search using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar was undertaken to search all relevant literature on teenage stimulant use. The findings have been organized into categories to cover essential aspects like epidemiology, neurobiology, prevention, and treatment. Various keywords used under TiAb of PubMed advanced search were Stimulants, "Drug abuse", "Psychotropic substance", "Substance abuse", addiction, and Adolescents, teenage, children, students, youth, etc., including MeSH terms. Figure ​ Figure1 1 shows the key substances used by youth.

Reasons for abuse

People may initially choose to take drugs for psychological and physical reasons. Psychological issues, including mental illness, traumatic experiences, or even general attitudes and ideas, might contribute to drug usage. Several factors can contribute to emotional and psychosocial stress, compelling one to practice drug abuse. It can be brought on by a loss of a job because of certain reasons, the death of a loved one, a parent's divorce, or financial problems. Even medical diseases and health problems can have a devastating emotional impact. Many take medicines to increase their physical stamina, sharpen their focus, or improve their looks.

Students are particularly prone to get indulged in substance abuse due to various reasons, like academic and peer pressure, the appeal of popularity and identification, readily available pocket money, and relatively easy accessibility of several substances, especially in industrial, urban elite areas, including nicotine (cigarettes) [ 16 , 17 ]. In addition, a relationship breakup, mental illness, environmental factors, self-medication, financial concerns, downtime, constraints of work and school, family obligations, societal pressure, abuse, trauma, boredom, curiosity, experimentation, rebellion, to be in control, enhanced performance, isolation, misinformation, ignorance, instant gratification, wide availability can be one of the reasons why one chooses this path [ 18 ].

The brain grows rapidly during adolescence and continues to do so until early adulthood, as is well documented. According to studies using structural magnetic resonance imaging, changes in cortical grey matter volume and thickness during development include linear and nonlinear transformations and increases in white matter volume and integrity. This delays the maturation of grey and white matter, resulting in poorer sustained attention [ 19 ]. Alcohol drinking excessively increases the likelihood of accidents and other harmful effects by impairing cognitive functions like impulse control and decision-making and motor functions like balance and hand-eye coordination [ 20 ]. Lower-order sensory motor regions of the brain mature first, followed by limbic areas crucial for processing rewards. The development of different brain regions follows different time-varying trajectories. Alcohol exposure has adversely affected various emotional, mental, and social functions in the frontal areas linked to higher-order cognitive functioning that emerge later in adolescence and young adulthood [ 21 ].

Smoking/e-cigarettes

The use of tobacco frequently begins before adulthood. A worryingly high percentage of schoolchildren between 13 and 15 have tried or are currently using tobacco, according to the global youth tobacco survey [ 22 ]. It is more likely that early adolescent cigarette usage will lead to nicotine dependence and adult cigarette use. Teenage smoking has been associated with traumatic stress, anxiety, and mood problems [ 23 ]. Nicotine usage has been associated with a variety of adolescent problems, including sexual risk behaviors, aggressiveness, and the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. High levels of impulsivity have been identified in adolescent smokers.

Additionally, compared to non-smokers, smoking is associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders in teenagers. Smoking is positively associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts [ 24 ]. Peer pressure, attempting something new, and stress management ranked top for current and former smokers [ 25 ]. Most teenagers say that when they start to feel down, they smoke to make themselves feel better and return to their usual, upbeat selves. Smoking may have varying effects on people's moods [ 26 ]. Teenagers who smoke seem more reckless, less able to control their impulses, and less attentive than non-smokers [ 27 ].

Cannabis/Marijuana

Marijuana is among the most often used illegal psychotropic substances in India and internationally. The prevalence of marijuana usage and hospitalizations related to marijuana are rising, especially among young people, according to current trends. Cannabis usage has been connected to learning, working memory, and attention problems. Cannabis has been shown to alleviate stress in small doses, but more significant amounts can cause anxiety, emotional symptoms, and dependence [ 28 ]. Myelination and synaptic pruning are two maturational brain processes that take place during adolescence and the early stages of adulthood. According to reports, these remodeling mechanisms are linked to efficient neural processing. They are assumed to provide the specialized cognitive processing needed for the highest neurocognitive performance. On a prolonged attentional processing test, marijuana usage before age 16 was linked to a shorter reaction time [ 29 ]. Cannabis use alters the endocannabinoid system, impacting executive function, reward function, and affective functions. It is believed that these disturbances are what lead to mental health problems [ 30 ].

MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) was a synthetic drug used legally in psychotherapy treatment throughout the 1970s, despite the lack of data demonstrating its efficacy. Molly, or the phrase "molecular," is typically utilized in powder form. Serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are produced more significantly when MDMA is used. In the brain, these neurotransmitters affect mood, sleep, and appetite. Serotonin also causes the release of other hormones that may cause emotions of intimacy and attraction. Because of this, users might be more affectionate than usual and possibly develop ties with total strangers. The effects wear off three to six hours later, while a moderate dose may cause withdrawal symptoms to continue for a week. These symptoms include a decline in sex interest, a drop in appetite, problems sleeping, confusion, impatience, anxiety, sorrow, Impulsivity and violence, issues with memory and concentration, and insomnia are a few of them. Unsettlingly, it is rising in popularity in India, particularly among teenagers [ 31 ].

Opium 

In addition to being a top producer of illicit opium, India is a significant drug consumer. In India, opium has a long history. The most common behavioral changes are a lack of motivation, depression, hyperactivity, a lack of interest or concentration, mood swings or abrupt behavior changes, confusion or disorientation, depression, anxiety, distortion of reality perception, social isolation, slurred or slow-moving speech, reduced coordination, a loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, taking from family members or engaging in other illegal activity [ 32 ]. Except for the chemical produced for medicinal purposes, it is imperative to prohibit both production and usage since if a relatively well-governed nation like India cannot stop the drug from leaking, the problem must be huge in scope [ 33 ].

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that causes various psychiatric syndromes, illnesses, and symptoms. Some symptoms include agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, violence, and thoughts of suicide and murder. They may be caused by the substance directly or indirectly through the aggravation of co-occurring psychiatric conditions. More frequent and severe symptoms are frequently linked to the usage of cocaine in "crack" form. Cocaine can potentially worsen numerous mental diseases and cause various psychiatric symptoms.

Table ​ Table1 1 discusses the short- and long-term effects of substance abuse.

Other cheap substances ( sasta nasha ) used in India

India is notorious for phenomena that defy comprehension. People in need may turn to readily available items like Iodex sandwiches, fevibond, sanitizer, whitener, etc., for comfort due to poverty and other circumstances to stop additional behavioral and other changes in youth discouragement is necessary [ 42 - 44 ]. 

Curbing drug abuse amongst youth

Seventy-five percent of Indian households contain at least one addict. The majority of them are fathers who act in this way due to boredom, stress from their jobs, emotional discomfort, problems with their families, or problems with their spouses. Due to exposure to such risky behaviors, children may try such intoxicants [ 45 ]. These behaviors need to be discouraged because they may affect the child's academic performance, physical growth, etc. The youngster starts to feel depressed, lonely, agitated and disturbed. Because they primarily revolve around educating students about the dangers and long-term impacts of substance abuse, previous attempts at prevention have all been ineffective. To highlight the risks of drug use and scare viewers into abstaining, some programs stoked terror. The theoretical underpinning of these early attempts was lacking, and they failed to consider the understanding of the developmental, social, and other etiologic factors that affect teenage substance use. These tactics are based on a simple cognitive conceptual paradigm that says that people's decisions to use or abuse substances depend on how well they are aware of the risks involved. More effective contemporary techniques are used over time [ 46 ]. School-based substance abuse prevention is a recent innovation utilized to execute changes, including social resistance skills training, normative education, and competence enhancement skills training.

Peer pressure makes a teenager vulnerable to such intoxicants. Teenagers are often exposed to alcohol, drugs, and smoking either because of pressure from their friends or because of being lonely. Social resistance training skills are used to achieve this. The pupils are instructed in the best ways to steer clear of or manage these harmful situations. The best method to respond to direct pressure to take drugs or alcohol is to know what to say (i.e., the specific content of a refusal message) and how to say it. These skills must be taught as a separate curriculum in every school to lower risk. Standard instructional methods include lessons and exercises to dispel misconceptions regarding drug usage's widespread use. 

Teenagers typically exaggerate how common it is to smoke, drink, and use particular substances, which could give off the impression that substance usage is acceptable. We can lessen young people's perceptions of the social acceptability of drug use by educating them that actual rates of drug usage are almost always lower than perceived rates of use. Data from surveys that were conducted in the classroom, school, or local community that demonstrate the prevalence of substance use in the immediate social setting may be used to support this information. If not, this can be taught using statistics from national surveys, which usually show prevalence rates that are far lower than what kids describe.

The role social learning processes have in teen drug use is recognized by competency-improvement programs, and there is awareness about how adolescents who lack interpersonal and social skills are more likely to succumb to peer pressure to use drugs. These young people might also be more inclined to turn to drug usage instead of healthier coping mechanisms. Most competency enhancement strategies include instruction in many of the following life skills: general problem-solving and decision-making skills, general cognitive abilities for fending off peer or media pressure, skills for enhancing self-control, adaptive coping mechanisms for reducing stress and anxiety through the use of cognitive coping mechanisms or be behavioral relaxation techniques, and general social and assertive skills [ 46 ].

Programs formulated to combat the growing risk of substance abuse

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare developed Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram for teenagers aged 10 to 19, with a focus on improving nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, preventing injuries and violence, and preventing substance abuse. By enabling them to make informed and responsible decisions about their health and well-being and ensuring that they have access to the tools and assistance they need, the program seeks to enable all adolescents in India in realizing their full potential [ 47 ].

For the past six years, ‘Nasha Mukti Kendra’ in India and rehabilitation have worked to improve lives and provide treatment for those who abuse alcohol and other drugs. They provide cost-effective and dedicated therapy programs for all parts of society. Patients come to them from all around the nation. Despite having appropriate programs and therapies that can effectively treat the disorder, they do not employ medication to treat addiction.

Conclusions

Around the world, adolescent drug and alcohol addiction has significantly increased morbidity and mortality. The menace of drugs and alcohol has been woven deep into the fabric of society. As its effects reach our youth, India's current generation is at high stake for the risk associated with the abuse of drugs like cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco. Even though the issue of substance abuse is complicated and pervasive, various stakeholders like healthcare professionals, community leaders, and educational institutions have access to a wealth of evidence-based research that can assist them to adopt interventions that can lower rates of teenage substance misuse. It is realized that while this problem is not specific to any one country or culture, individual remedies might not always be beneficial. Due to the unacceptably high rate of drug abuse that is wreaking havoc on humanity, a strategy for addressing modifiable risk factors is crucial. Because human psychology and mental health influence the choices the youth make related to their indulgence in drug misuse, it is the need of the hour to give serious consideration to measures like generating awareness, counseling, student guidance cells, positive parenting, etc., across the world. It will take time to change this substance misuse behavior, but the more effort we put into it, the greater the reward we will reap.

The content published in Cureus is the result of clinical experience and/or research by independent individuals or organizations. Cureus is not responsible for the scientific accuracy or reliability of data or conclusions published herein. All content published within Cureus is intended only for educational, research and reference purposes. Additionally, articles published within Cureus should not be deemed a suitable substitute for the advice of a qualified health care professional. Do not disregard or avoid professional medical advice due to content published within Cureus.

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Health

Essay Samples on Drugs

Effects of drugs on community: unraveling the impact.

The effects of drugs on community are far-reaching and profound, touching every aspect of society. This essay explores the significance of drug-related issues, the multifaceted impact on communities, the challenges they pose, and the importance of collaborative efforts to mitigate the harm caused by drugs....

Drugs and Drug Policy In America: Relationship Between Drugs and Crime

The assortment of crimes that remain affiliated with drug use span from aggressive (such as homicide and aggravated assault) to greed (burglary, counterfeit, and deception) to distinct drug-law violations. Also, crimes such as bribery and corruption stay related to drug use as a result of...

• Criminal Behavior
• Criminal Law

Legalization of Marijuana: Economic and Medicinal Benefits

As a famous quote goes “Marijuana, the healing of the Nation” is not farfetched since there are several benefits of this peculiar herb. However, there are several controversies against this herb because it is believed to be an addictive drug and its use can be...

• Marijuana Legalization
• Medical Marijuana

Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana in Canada

With the legalization of marijuana, many thoughts have been heard as it is being used for medical purposes and is used to heal anxiety and autism however, it has some major health issues on the human body with some effects like memory loss and addictiveness....

The Effect of Drug Abuse on Many Writers

The creative outlook of the greatest minds in human civilization was known to have been under the influence of psychoactive substances. Ancient philosophers all the way up to the Enlightenment thinkers were known to have been under some sort of psychoactive like tobacco. Naturally, drugs...

Stressed out with your paper?

Consider using writing assistance:

• 100% unique papers
• 3 hrs deadline option

Opium Wars and the Global Supply of Narcotics

Prior to the 1830s and the Opium Wars involving France, Great Britain and China’s Qing dynasty, there was little international discussion involving narcotics. Various states had their own domestic control regimes. Others operated on a strictly laissez-faire basis regarding psychoactive substances. The conflict represented the...

• Drug Addiction

Reasons Why I Will Say No To Drugs And Alcohol

Many tragedies happen in our life that we cannot control. Whether they affect you or other people they are going to happen, it is inevitable. But just imagine causing harm to yourself shortening your life. I am going to give a few reasons why I...

The Rise Of The Opioid Epidemic

In 2016, the amount of deaths caused by drug overdose is significantly greater than the total number of American deaths that occurred in the Vietnam War. The more disturbing part is that most of these deaths are caused by opioids obtained through illicit means. Injection...

• Opioid Epidemic

Opioid Epidemic in The United States

Now the leading cause of injury death in the United States, drug overdoses have become a serious issue across the nation, according to the official website of the White House. The use of drugs has become a staple in our society that many have become...

History Of The Drug Transportation Controversy In The United States And Latin America

Drugs, and the transportation of, have always been a controversial issue for Latin America and the United States. Over the years, the United States has made many attempts to combat drugs, for example, military force to combat drugs with institution building. This did very little...

• War on Drugs

History of LSD and Its Beneficial Impacts on Culture

The non addictive drug, LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide), first found and created by Albert Hoffman, taken by accident, he stated in a book he wrote about the drug that it is “medicine for the soul”. LSD was first synthesized in 1943 by Albert Hoffman while...

Drug Abuse in Sports and How Sport Organizations Deal With the Issue

The usage of illicit substances in sport, better known as doping is becoming a rising issue in modern times. The purpose of taking these drugs is either enhance performance of an athlete or to escape from the large amounts of pressure and stress on them....

• Steroids in Sports

The Issue of Excessive College Drinking and Drinking Age in US

During the freshman year of college, students are more prone to stepping outside of their comfort zone, and experience new opportunities. Entering a new environment, without any parental supervision, encourages these students to branch out even more, and partake in activities that most parents would...

• Drinking Age in America

Development of the pH Sensitive Drug Delivery System

pH sensitive liposomes contains the such type of the phospholipid bilayer which is sensitive to the change in the pH. Change in the pH influences the release of the drug. pH sensitivity is the important feature of this type of the liposome which gives advantage...

Role of Medhya Rasayanas (Nootropic Drugs) in Developmental Disabilities of Children

Developmental disabilities are combination of many conditions such as physical impairment, learning impairment, language impairment and behavior impairment etc. Developmental disabilities arise through the developmental period i.e. infancy (birth to 1years old), early childhood (3 to 6 years old), middle childhood (6 to 12 years...

• Children With Disabilities
• Mental Retardation

Link Between Crimes and Substance Abuse in Juveniles and Its Prevention Strategies

There has been several studies on the relationships between juvenile drug use and violent crimes. Although the primary focus of this review will juveniles in America, it is important to mention juvenile delinquency is not uncommon and is a very serious issue across the world....

• Dare Program

A Report on How Pharmacist Contribute in Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics

Introduction Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics are the disciplines of broad interest that has greatly risen in recent years. They have become a prominent science that starting to impact significantly on clinical research and medical practice and contribute to a great application in drug development and therapeutics....

Argumentative Essay on Drug Legalisation in the U.S.

America is one of the countries which is facing drug abuse crisis, increased drug related violence and drug addiction cases. This has led to an argument on whether drug legalisation should be implemented as a strategy of curbing the negative effects associated with drug abuse....

• Drugs Legalization

Discussion on the Ethics of the Colonial Drug Trade

Introduction Talking about the colonial drug trade Arabs and local doctors utilized opium in the British East India Company. British started its drug trade journey in Bengal. Farmers of poppy economic condition became worse by opium monopoly. Social issues represented eventual incident of 1857 as...

• International Trade
• Revolt of 1857

Narcotics: A Security Threat to South Asian Countries

Citing from a report by Anthony H. Cordesman titled as Afghan Narcotics: 2000-2018: From Control And Elimination Efforts To A Drug Economy And Bombing Labs. Afghanistan and its neighbours are affected by trafficking as the drugs are moved to their key destination markets of Western...

• Political Corruption

The Side Effects of Amphetamine Consumption with Narcolepsy or Obesity

This paper is basically about amphetamines. Amphetamine was discovered over 100 years ago. Since then, it has transformed from a drug that was freely available without prescription as a panacea for a broad range of disorders into a highly restricted Controlled Drug with therapeutic applications...

Requiem for a Dream and Dealing with Drug Addiction

Directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on the written novel by Hubert Selby Jr, the psychological drama Requiem for a Dream (2000) depicts the lives of four people and their drug addiction. The film contains a mixture of electronic component and orchestral strings. The film...

• Requiem For a Dream

Portrayal of Drug Usage in the Film Industry: Requiem for a Dream

Ever since the beginning of the film industry the way drugs have been depicted in movies has changed and evolved throughout each era of film. Earning huge amounts of criticism from people both supporting and advocating against the way drugs are represented. In 1987 President...

The Reckless Promotion of Heroin by Medical Organizations

Heroin is a major issue. From the initial articles I read, it was obvious to see that many individuals were quick to put the fault on Rx Opioids for the Opioid Epidemic and I don't imagine that is right. The CDC's very own information appear...

The Use of Heroin as a Recreational Drug

This is from Chem News reporting the headline story. Tonight’s topic is heroin. For 17-year-old Matthew McKinney, a “fun” night out on a Tuesday with his friends took a not-so-fun turn after he received a phone call from his parents. The conversation proceeded casually, as...

Importance of Random Drug Testing for New York City Employees

New York City employees are all subject to random drug testing. This applies mostly to firefighter, police officers and transit workers. This means that in any given day any of these employees may be asked to provide a urine sample to test for illegal drugs...

• Drug Testing

Drug Testing Students in School Is Not Effective

Drug testing students is unconstitutional and lacks scientific evidence of its effectiveness. While I agree that schools have a certain responsibility for providing students with a safe and drug free atmosphere many of the current prevention programs in use are simply ineffective and punitive. Drug...

Drug Testing Is Mandatory at Christian Brothers High School

Drug testing is the examination, given by an organization, of an individual to detect if that party has done any drug. Forms of drug testing include an examination of urine, breath, saliva, sweat, blood, and hair. It initially begins with a note excusing the student...

• High School

Side Effects of Aspirin and How to Minimize Them

Introduction Ciancio (2004) mentioned in his studies, Many adults and particularly people who are over 65 years of age use over-the-counter and prescription drugs. But these medications-prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins and minerals, herbal preparations can affect oral health. Over the years with the increase in population's...

The Definition of Rehab Programs and Their Variations

Rehabilitation Programs Definition The term refers to all those specialized procedures curtailed towards correcting mental disorder problems among people. It covers a wide range of solutions to concerns and ill-health conditions such as behavioral problems, bad eating habits, and alcohol and substance addiction among many...

• Mental Disorder
• Rehabilitation Programs

Aspirin: History of Development, Its Uses and Mechanism of Action

Acetoxybenzoic acid or more commonly recognized as aspirin, is one of the greatest researched and commonly used drug in the world. It is so widely researched that there are 700 to 1,000 clinical trials each year. Even though aspirin comes in pill tablets different cultures...

Review of Objectives to Create Aspirin

Sumerians 4,000 years ago identified the pain remedies of the willow tree and Mesopotamians used the same extract to treat a variety of maladies. In fact, Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, recommended chewing on willow tree bark to patients suffering from fever and...

Benefits and Negative Effects of Aspirin

Aspirin is a common drug and one of the ten most important drugs. It has a lot of benefits, but it can also have adverse effects. In 1897, felix hoffman did first synthesize the substance that makes up aspirin. Aspirin, marketed in 1898, was also...

The History of LSD and Its Possible Uses

LSD, also known as Lysergic acid diethylamide-25 is a potent drug that is in fact, the most powerful out of all of the hallucinogens psychedelic drugs, this is due to the fact that is is approximately 100 times stronger than psilocybin and 4000 times stronger...

Analysing the Potential Benefits of LSD in Psychological Treatment

Psychedelic substance awareness until recently has been in the dark. Lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD was first developed by a Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1938. LSD is widely known for it’s psychedelic side effects, users often think profoundly and positively disassociate themselves....

Research on the Uses of LSD in Medical Settings

Psychedelics and dissociatives have a profound impact on human consciousness. Lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD, is a synthetic compound found in the psychedelic realm. This drug induces an altered state of consciousness by transfiguring brain activity (Dyck, 2015). LSD was first synthesized in 1938 by...

• Human Brain

Albert Hofmann LSD Discovery and How it Changed His Life

At first, you feel nothing. As the tablet dissolves, reality does as well. You look around the room. The room is spinning almost pulsating. It’s as if the world is breathing. It all started by taking a small tablet. This tablet is a form of...

Possible Solutions to Opiod and Healthcare Crisis

Children for so many years have been taught to stay away from drugs such as tobacco and weed, but in today’s day and age the scariest drug might just be the ones prescribed by doctors. Drug overdoses from prescription drugs is a current public health...

• Healthcare Crisis

The Analysis and Overview of Medical Drug Addiction

Medical Addiction is an issue that has been expanding enormously among our general public today. addictions can just obstruct or limit us from achieving objectives or dreams throughout everyday life. Individuals in some cases feel they are too fine, too effective, a lot in charge...

Drug Addiction and Its Effect on the Brain Function

Have you ever thought of drug addiction as a bad habit? Has it ever crossed your mind about it being a disease that is difficult to overcome instead of just a bad habit which someone could quit if they simply tried? Drug addiction is witnessed...

Discussion of the Causes of Drug Addiction on the Central Coast

Co-Occurring Mental Illness There are very high rates of substance use disorder among people who suffer from other mental illnesses. According to research compiled by Chambers, Krystal and Self (2001), schizophrenia is the second most co-occurring disorder with substance abuse falling only behind antisocial personality...

Declaration of the War on Drugs and Its Failure

Drugs in our world have been used for centuries, yet have been illegal for one 1% of our time. In 1971, President Nixon declared drug abuse to be public enemy number one. Tv shows and social media made it clear that drug dealers and cartels...

The Solution to the War on Drugs and Illegal Prescription

The War on Drugs is an articulation used to suggest an organization drove movement that hopes to stop unlawful prescription use, assignment, and trade by extending and actualizing disciplines for transgressors. The advancement started amid the 1970s is up 'til now propelling today. Consistently, people...

Drug Trafficking and Its Effects on Different Spheres of Life

Drug trafficking affects many parts of our lives. Drug trafficking is an illegal trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, and distribution. It has caused many problems for others. International conflict is being fought daily. It affects our social, mental, and academic life. Counter Argument There are...

• Drug Trafficking

Drug Trafficking from Central America: Why It Should Be Controlled in Any Way

Introduction The term “drug trafficking” does not have a specific definition. However, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) defines drug trafficking as “a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws” (Albanese,...

The Effects of Different Drugs on Cardiovascular System

Introduction Background Many drugs can affect the cardiovascular system and its functions. This experiment focused mainly on Propranolol, Salbutamol, and Glyceryl Trinitrate. Propranolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist that can affect the cardiovascular system and alter its function. It can be used to treat...

• Cardiovascular System

Breaking Bad: The Implications of Illegal Crimes

Movies and TV Shows have a huge influence on people. There are many different kinds of movies and TV Shows that you could watch. Some of them are rests on true stories and some others based on fictional stories. Breaking Bad is a crime and...

• Breaking Bad

Opioid Epidemic, Harm Reduction Approaches, And Rpns

Introduction Currently, the opioid crisis in the Lower Mainland has significantly increased, growing at a rapid pace in society, showcasing that an opioid epidemic is occurring causing a public health emergency (Government of Canada, 2018). Opioid overdose deaths are the number one leading cause of...

The Moral Ethics of Solution to Opioid Epidemic

Drug overdose is one of the leading causes of death in America and across the world. According to recent world headlines, “in 2015, about 300 million opioid prescriptions were written, with more than 80% being written in the United States” (Davidson). According to author Tish...

The Most Serious Issues Associated With Illegal Drug Use

Drugs have always been a problem in the UK, as well as the rest of the world. It’s a habit or rather an addiction that is almost impossible to get rid of, but with the right approach it’s possible for this problem to become smaller....

Analysis Of The Stages Of Determination For Drug Tourism

By its basic definition, drug tourism is travel expressly for the aim of getting and/or taking drugs. These drugs may not be out there within the user’s country of region, or they will be expensively priced, therefore the requirement to search out a supply of...

The Issue Of Substance Abuse In Belgium

“You know you’re an addict when you misplace things … like a decade. ” - Paul Williams There are naysayers, around the world, who believe that a global fight against illegal substances is unwinnable. The delegate of Belgium says emphatically that they are wrong. United...

How Antiviral Drugs Have Led to Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract The introductions of more effective and powerful antiviral drugs are common cause drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). The exact prevalence of nephrotoxicity induced by antiviral drugs is difficult to determine. It causes AKI through a variety of mechanisms including acute tubular necrosis (ATN), allergic...

Dims: Drug Information Management System

Medicine or drug is used for cure and prevention of disease or treatment of injury (1). Discovery, development, and manufacturing of medicines are carried out by scientists and pharmaceutical companies and medicine are dispensed in pharmacies or drug stores. It is common, medicine needs approval...

• Alternative Medicine

Drugs And Its Toxicity For Human Health

Drugs are substances if when taken decreases the rate of malady. These substances are configuration to fix and take out the hidden reason for infection. Most time drugs are utilized heedlessly by shoppers without understanding its unfavorable impact. Take for example, paracetamol, a medication known...

• Health Care Policy

Effects Of Heavy Use Of Marijuana

Up until recently, marijuana was a banned substance in Canada however, now with the legalization and government control, advocacy groups are concerned about how it will affect the public’s physical and mental health. Marijuana is the dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant which...

Emergency Drugs In Care Of Children

A study was conducted on 60 children (2-5 years old), admitted to the PER at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (Brazil), due to an episode of acute asthma, refractory to conventional therapy (an oral dose of steroids and at least three doses of inhaled...

Improvement & Characterization Of Voriconazole As Gel By Microparticle Based Drug Delivery Systems

Medication conveyance frameworks that can precisely control the discharge rate medications to a specific body site which hugy affected social insurance framework. Transporter innovation offers an insightful method for medicate conveyance by coupling medication to a bearer molecule, (for example, microspheres, nanoparticles, liposomes and so...

• Public Health

Pro-Legalization Of Drugs: A Constant Battle

As it is always a challenge for society to become pro-legalization, drugs have been an epitome example as to why we are always in a constant battle. Countries all over the world have a stand in using illegal drugs and some of them are way,...

Best topics on Drugs

1. Effects of Drugs on Community: Unraveling the Impact

2. Drugs and Drug Policy In America: Relationship Between Drugs and Crime

3. Legalization of Marijuana: Economic and Medicinal Benefits

4. Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana in Canada

5. The Effect of Drug Abuse on Many Writers

6. Opium Wars and the Global Supply of Narcotics

7. Reasons Why I Will Say No To Drugs And Alcohol

8. The Rise Of The Opioid Epidemic

9. Opioid Epidemic in The United States

10. History Of The Drug Transportation Controversy In The United States And Latin America

11. History of LSD and Its Beneficial Impacts on Culture

12. Drug Abuse in Sports and How Sport Organizations Deal With the Issue

13. The Issue of Excessive College Drinking and Drinking Age in US

14. Development of the pH Sensitive Drug Delivery System

15. Role of Medhya Rasayanas (Nootropic Drugs) in Developmental Disabilities of Children

• Mental Illness
• Blood Donation
• Antibiotics
• Cerebral Palsy
• Biomedical Engineering

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Drug Addiction Essay

In this Drug Addiction Essay , we had described drug addiction, its adverse effects; different types of drugs that are produced has different effects.

All these addictions are difficult to quit and has severe problem , health issues caused by drug addiction can persist even after a person has taken drugs.

In this article ‘ Essay on Drug Addiction ‘, we had provided the various essays in different word limits, which you can use as per your need:

Essay on Drug Addiction 200 words:

Drugs are a common problem this day, a large number of people worldwide suffer from this problem.

Drugs provide instant pleasure and stress relief; many people start taking drugs as an escape from their painful reality.

Few Peoples take drugs to experience how it feels or to give company to their friends before a person knows, it becomes addicted to drugs for him and it is difficult to get rid of this addiction.

Short-term enjoyment from the drugs can lead to serious long-term problems; this can cause serious health issues and behaviour changes.

Some of the symptoms of drug addiction include loss of appetite, impaired coordination and restlessness, lack of interest in work, financial issues and change of social cycle, covert behaviour, repeated mood swings and anxious behaviour.

Many argue that overcoming addiction simply requires willpower and determination; however, this is not the case, and it requires a lot.

To get rid of drug addiction, it is necessary to seek professional help and take appropriate medication.

This addiction can take years to overcome, and the possibility of relapse cannot be completely ruled out.

Drug Addiction Essay 300 words:

Intoxication weakens a person’s immune system; it causes various mental and physical illnesses; this problem can be short term or long term.

The kind of medicine a person consumes, how much he destroys it and the duration by which he takes it becomes the basis of various health problems.

Effect on Physical Health:

Drugs can affect a person’s physical health; it irritates various parts of the body, including the brain, throat, lungs, stomach, pancreas, liver, heart and nervous system.

It can cause health problems such as sickness, heart problems, damaged liver, stroke, lung disease, weight loss and even cancer.

There is a high risk of contracting AIDS by drug addicts because they usually share needles to inject drugs.

Driving under the influence of drugs or walking on the road can be risky because an accident is more likely to happen to such a person.

Effects on Mental Health:

Drugs have a severe effect on a person’s brain. Drugs delay decision making and affect a person’s psychosocial skills.

They can cause mental health issues such as depression, Alzheimer’s, insomnia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, conduct problems and psychosocial dysfunction.

Drug users have suicidal thoughts and often attempt suicide.

Effects on Unborn Babies:

Drug addiction can put unborn children at high risk. Pregnant women addicted to alcohol can harm the fetus.

Unborn babies are more likely to develop inherited disabilities and abnormal mental and physical abnormalities.

Intoxication can also lead to premature birth; some children also exhibit behavioural issues later in life.

Getting rid of drug addiction is highly recommended before planning a child.

Conclusion:

A person’s overall health becomes fragile due to regular doses of medicines; such a person often loses touch with reality and becomes confused.

Due to a nervous, immune system, he can catch infection very fast.

Essay on Drug Addiction 400 words:

People belonging to different age groups and from different walks of life are victims of intoxication.

While some can overcome this addiction with some difficulty, others are terrified into the dark world of drugs forever.

A person needs to be prepared to try as much as possible to get rid of drug addiction and to overcome this abuse.

Drug Addiction Risks:

While anyone can develop a drug addiction, some people are more likely to create it. Here’s a look at those who are at high risk of developing drug addiction:

People have had some heartbreaking/ painful experiences in life.

Those who have a family history of intoxication; also, suffers mental or physical abuse or neglect.

Those are suffering from depression and anxiety.

Ways to Overcome Drug Addiction:

Here are some ways to overcome addiction:

• Enrol in a rehabilitation centre.
• This is one of the main steps to overcome drug addiction.
• Good rehabilitation centres have qualified and experienced professionals who know how to deal with addicts and help them get rid of drug addiction.
• Meeting other drug addictions and seeing how hard they are trying to quit this addiction to regain a healthy life can also be encouraging.
• Seek help from friends and family
• Love and support from your near and dear ones can play an important role when it comes to getting rid of drug addiction.
• This can help determine dependency and may prompt you to give up this disgusting habit.
• Therefore, do not hesitate to discuss this problem with them; they will be more than willing to help you get rid of addiction.

As you stop the consumption of drugs, you may suffer from symptoms & medication is required to deal with these symptoms, it also helps prevent relapse.

Health issues caused by drug addiction also need to be corrected & medications will help cure them.

It can be challenging to give up the addiction; however, this is not impossible to do.

Strong determination and support from friends and family can help relieve addiction.

Drug Addiction Essay 500 words:

Intoxication affects physical health severely; this puts the addict at risk of health problems such as cardiac arrest, stroke and abdominal pain.

It also causes mental health issues such as depression, insomnia and bipolar disorder, etc.

Apart from affecting a person’s health, intoxication also affects human behaviour.

All types of drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, and weed, affect the brain’s instinct and cause mood swings, resulting in behavioural problems.

Common behavioural issues faced by drug addicts:

Intoxication falters with a person’s brain function; it interferes with the way a person behaves and the kind of choices they make.

Aggression:

A person who is under the influence of drugs can be highly aggressive. Drug addicts often get angry over trivial matters.

This behaviour is not seen only when they are experiencing high; the frequent use of drugs someway communicates aggression in their personality.

It is difficult to get along with such people; you need to be extremely vigilant around them as they can throw up frequent bouts of anger and aggression.

Poor judgment:

Drug addiction bars a person’s ability to reason; they are unable to make appropriate decisions.

They can no longer distinguish between what is right and what is wrong.

Drug users also display impulsive behaviour; they act and react without much thought. This behaviour is usually displayed when they are feeling high.

However, they may also exhibit impulsive behaviour when they return to their normal state.

Drug addicts mostly make decisions they later regret.

Loss of self-control:

Drug addiction dominates the minds of addicts, and they lose self-control.

They have an intense craving for drugs and are difficult to resist even if they want to.

Drugs dominate their decisions, actions, reactions and behaviour.

Low performance in work:

A person who is addicted to narcotics experiences a decline in performance at work/school.

He is unable to concentrate on his work and continually thinks about taking drugs.

When he does not get his supplies, he feels sluggish and low on energy; all this is a significant obstacle to work.

It has been noted that people under the influence of drugs often have hallucinations; they see things and hear noises that don’t exist.

Medications specifically known for hallucinations include salvia, mescaline, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and ketamine.

Venereal disease:

Trying to conceal your drug addiction from family and friends’ drug addicts often leads to underlying conditions.

They usually avoid spending time with their parents/children/spouse.

They often socialize with other drug addicts and stop hanging out with other friends; this often makes them socially awkward.

Drug addiction can cause behavioural problems that can negatively affect a person’s personal as well as professional life.

It is an addiction that the person should get rid of as soon as possible.

A person may struggle to make positive changes in his behaviour long after he has given up his intoxication.

Essay on Drug Addiction 600 words:

Large amounts of dopamine are released from the use of drugs, which puts a person in ecstasy.

People like to experience this blissful state and desire to come here again and again, which is one of the leading causes of intoxication.

Initially, most people take drugs voluntarily, but it soon becomes an addiction & it is the worst type of addiction.

It is difficult to quit and can also have negative consequences after a person gets rid of this addiction.

Drugs Type:

They are classified into three types.

Depressants: It includes cannabis, opiates, benzodiazepines, and alcohol.

They are known to slow the speed of messages going to and from the brain and thus reduce the ability to handle a situation.

When taken in small amounts, depression can make a person feel relaxed; however, when taken in large numbers, they can cause nausea, vomiting and fainting.

Stimulants: Stimulants, on the other hand, speed up messages going to and from the brain.

They have the power to boost a person’s confidence level immediately.

On the downside, they can cause high blood pressure, increase heart rate and cause restlessness, agitation and insomnia.

Frequent use of such drugs leads to panic attacks, anxiety and paranoia, stimulants include nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, and amphetamine.

Hallucinogen: Hallucinogen contains mescaline and psilocybin. These drugs cause hallucinations and distort the reality of a person.

When taken continuously, these medicines can cause high blood pressure, nausea, paranoia and numbness.

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction:

A person who is addicted to drugs is likely to show the following signs and symptoms:

• Change in appetite.
• Unexpected weight gain or weight loss.
• Change in sleep pattern.
• Slurred speech.
• Switch to the circle of friends.
• Suddenly angry.
• Bloodshot eyes.
• Lack of interest in work.
• Underperformance at work/school.
• Dishonest behaviour.
• Feeling of dullness, distant and apathetic.
• Frequent mood swings.
• Lack of motivation.
• Disgusting behaviour.
• Drug addiction impacts professional life.

Drugs have adverse effects on a person’s brain; People lose their self-control; they become so addicted to drugs that everyone thinking about them is eating them.

They are unable to concentrate on work and lose interest in it; even if they try to work, they feel tired and withdraw.

Drugs have an impact on their cognitive skills, analytical skills, and decision-making power & adversely affects their professional lives.

Drug addicts also exhibit irrational behaviour; they become aggressive, develop impaired judgment and grow impulsive.

Such behaviour is unacceptable in an office setting & puts them in a bad light and prevents the possibility of professional development.

Drug Addiction Affects Personal Relationship:

A drug addict loves the company of drug users and tries to spend most of his time with them; he is no longer interested in his family and friends.

This often leads to arguments and quarrels that spoil their family life as well as their equation with their friends.

A drug addict spoils not only his life but also peoples around him.

Also, read 1. Terr orism Essay 2. Corruption in India 3. Child labour Essay 4. Blood donation Essay

In this Drug Addiction Essay, we had described the Drugs can strengthen a person’s ability to think and act; it can rise to many health hazards, behavioural problems and relationship issues.

The safest way is to stay away from drugs; people who are addicted to drugs have little chance of quitting the addiction.

It ruins their lives and causes deep sorrow to their loved ones.

• Section Under Essays

Gupshups is the place to find the most inspirational & motivation quotes, essay, speechs & lot more.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Essay on Drugs In The Philippines

Students are often asked to write an essay on Drugs In The Philippines in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Drugs In The Philippines

Introduction to drug issues in the philippines.

In the Philippines, illegal drugs are a big problem. Many people, including the young, get caught in the trap of using drugs. This leads to health problems, crime, and even death.

Types of Drugs Used

The most common drugs in the Philippines are shabu (methamphetamine), marijuana, and ecstasy. These drugs are dangerous and can change the way a person thinks and acts.

Government Actions

The government fights hard against drugs. They make rules, arrest people who sell drugs, and try to help those who are using drugs to stop.

Community Efforts

Local groups and schools teach kids about the dangers of drugs. They want to prevent drug use by giving information and support to everyone.

Drugs are a serious problem in the Philippines. It’s important for the government and community to work together to stop drug use and keep everyone safe.

250 Words Essay on Drugs In The Philippines

The drug problem in the philippines.

The Philippines, like many countries, faces a big challenge with illegal drugs. These drugs harm people’s health and cause crime and violence to go up. The most common drugs in the Philippines are methamphetamine, known locally as shabu, and marijuana.

Effects on Society

Drugs can destroy families and communities. People who use drugs can lose their jobs, get sick, or act violently. This creates fear and sadness in neighborhoods. Children can be hurt when their parents use drugs or when there is violence in their area.

Government Action

The government of the Philippines has been very strict in stopping drug use and selling. They have police and other groups working hard to catch people who break the drug laws. The government’s actions are sometimes seen as too harsh, with reports of people being hurt or killed without a fair trial.

Education and Rehabilitation

It is important to teach kids and adults about the dangers of drugs. Schools and community groups try to help people understand why they should stay away from drugs. For those who are already using drugs, getting help to stop is important. Rehabilitation centers are places where people can get support to overcome addiction.

The problem with drugs in the Philippines is serious. It affects health, safety, and families. By working together, teaching people about the risks, and helping those in need, the country can fight against this issue. It is a tough battle, but one that can make the future brighter for everyone.

500 Words Essay on Drugs In The Philippines

The problem of illegal drugs in the philippines.

The Philippines, a country made up of more than 7,000 islands, is facing a big problem with illegal drugs. This issue affects many parts of Filipino society. Drugs like shabu (methamphetamine), marijuana, and others are used by people of different ages and backgrounds. The use of these drugs can lead to health problems, crime, and even death.

Effects on Health and Families

When people take illegal drugs, it can harm their health. They may get sick, feel weak, or have trouble thinking clearly. It’s not just the person using drugs who suffers. Their families can also be hurt by their actions. For example, when parents use drugs, they might not be able to take good care of their children. This can lead to children feeling alone or not having enough food or a safe place to live.

Crime and Violence

Drugs can also lead to more crime and violence. People might steal money to buy drugs. Sometimes, groups that sell drugs fight with each other. This can make neighborhoods unsafe. People might be scared to go outside or let their kids play in the park.

The Government’s Response

The government of the Philippines is trying to stop the drug problem. The police work hard to catch people who sell drugs. There are also programs to help people who want to stop using drugs. The government wants to make sure that drugs are not sold in the streets and that people are healthy and safe.

Education and Awareness

Teaching young people about the dangers of drugs is very important. Schools and community groups talk to students about why they should stay away from drugs. They also teach them what to do if they are offered drugs. Knowing the risks can help young people make good choices.

Communities are coming together to fight against drugs. Neighbors watch out for each other and report any drug activity to the police. There are also places where people who are addicted to drugs can get help. These centers give them support and advice on how to live without drugs.

The Road Ahead

The fight against illegal drugs in the Philippines is not easy. It will take time to solve this problem. Everyone—government, police, schools, families, and friends—must work together. It’s important to keep teaching people about the dangers of drugs and to support those who are trying to quit.

By working as a team, Filipinos can hope to see a future where drugs do not harm their communities. It will be a future where people are healthy, where neighborhoods are safe, and where children can grow up without the fear of drugs. This is a goal worth working for, and it starts with each person saying no to drugs and yes to a better life.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Drum
• Essay on Early Bird Catches The Worm
• Essay on Early Marriage

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Is the war on drugs back on? | The Excerpt podcast

On Sunday's episode of The Excerpt podcast: It's been just over 50 years since President Richard Nixon declared a war on drugs. Since then, drug policy at the state level has mostly been progressing toward legalization, embracing liberal attitudes that aim to destigmatize drug use. But that experiment may soon be drawing to a close. In the wake of surging overdose deaths, Oregon has recently moved to recriminalize drug use and possession. Are we back to square one? Kassandra Frederique, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, joins The Excerpt to argue that policy makers simply didn't put the right safeguards in place.

Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it.  This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Podcasts:  True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here

President George H. W. Bush:

All of us agree that the gravest domestic threat facing our nation today is drugs. Drugs have strained our faith in our system of justice. Our courts, our prisons, our legal system are stretched to the breaking point. The social costs of drugs are mounting. In short, drugs are sapping our strength as a nation.

Dana Taylor:

That was then President George HW Bush speaking in his first televised address from the Oval Office back on September 5th, 1989. Fast-forward 35 years, and a lot has changed with regards to how we view drug use, but have we really evolved our policy since then? Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. In 2020, voters in Oregon approved Measure 110, making it the first state in the US to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs.

Today, the Oregon legislature has just passed a bill to reinstate criminal penalties for drug possession. Does the demise of Measure 110 signal a return to America's war on drugs? Here to discuss Oregon's Measure 110 and drug decriminalization is Kassandra Frederique, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the US, working to end the drug war. Thanks for joining me, Kassandra.

 Kassandra Frederique:

Thank you so much for having me, Dana.

Measure 110, also known as the DATRA, the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act, was a significant win for drug decriminalization advocates. How did the drug policy shift in Oregon following its passage?

When Measure 110 passed, the point of it was to end the horrors of criminalization. So stopping the arresting of people with drug possession, because people recognized that arresting people for drug possession was not actually going to get people connected to the resources that they had or the resources that they needed. So when the measure passed, I think it had a rocky start in implementation, but the data and the research has shown that Measure 110 prevented tens of thousands of Oregonians from being shuttled into a horrific criminal legal system.

What we found, despite the rocky start of implementation that was created by the Oregonian bureaucracy, is that people did get connected to care. So in the first six months of implementation, Measure 110 increased services by 44%. It also improved the quality of care with 100% increase of people actually gaining access to everything from peer support to harm reduction services. And this includes 143% increase in people accessing substance use disorder treatment, as well as 296% increase in people accessing housing services, which was one of the biggest issues that people struggled with while Measure 110 was being implemented.

Your organization, the nonprofit Drug Policy Alliance, has said that Measure 110 has been scapegoated by drug war advocates. How so?

So, so much of what Oregonians express frustration around were the conditions on the street. There was chronic homelessness that was exploding. There was a density population of unsheltered individuals. There was a lot of public drug use. And people made the connection to Measure 110, despite the fact that a lot of the issues and conditions that people were witnessing on the street and experiencing were a result of decades of inaction around housing.

It was about the fact that in the larger country, fentanyl, which is a more fast-acting opioid, has just made it to the West Coast, including Oregon, and that, in general, people's ability to get access to support has long been hindered by the lack of infrastructure in Oregon. And when I say the lack of infrastructure of support, Measure 110's purpose was to supplement the Oregon infrastructure.

However, what we learned was that decades of divestment in that infrastructure, as well as the Oregon Health Authority not listening to advocates about ways to improve the citation process, the ways that they needed to increase training for law enforcement about what Measure 110 did and what it didn't do, made it really difficult and confusing for Oregonians to actually see what was in front of them.

According to the CDC, in the 12 months ending January of 2020, there were 621 overdose deaths reported in Oregon. Then in the 12 months ending January of 2023, there were 1,431 overdose deaths reported, a significant increase. Is it fair to tie that increase to the passage of Measure 110?

Absolutely not. And in fact, it's not just advocates that are saying that. RTI actually came out with a study, and they're not the only ones, that they looked at the same period. What they found was that there was not a shred of evidence that showed that Measure 110 actually increased crime, increased homelessness, or increase the overdose rate.

What people are attributing that astronomical increase to is the introduction of fentanyl into the West Coast drug supply. And we know this to be true because the pattern of growth that Oregon is experiencing is similar to the pattern of growth that we saw on the East Coast, in places like New York and Massachusetts, when fentanyl entered its drug supply. And so part of the thing that it's important to disentangle is that Measure 110 was coming into implementation at the same time that the Oregon drug supply was changing.

You mentioned RTI. Who is RTI?

RTI is a research institution that held a conference a few months ago that looked at all the issues around implementation. They're also one of the academic institutions that is running an evaluation on Measure 110, about what worked and what didn't work.

Measure 110 was also enacted, as you've said, to address concerns related to incarceration rates for people of color. What kind of movement have you seen there?

So here, one of the things that the Oregon officials that focus on criminal justice statistics have said is that the recriminalization of drug possession will increase the amount of Oregonians of color that are incarcerated, or arrested, or engaged by the criminal legal system. And so this is something that continues to be an area of concern for us because part of the impetus for pushing the end of criminalization or ending the arrest was because of the historic disproportionate law enforcement engagement in communities of color, specifically that of Black, Indigenous, and Latinx Oregonians.

I know that funding from marijuana tax revenue was allocated to expand access to addiction treatment services. Have any of those programs been successful?

You're seeing a 296% increase in people getting access to housing services. That would not have occurred outside of Measure 110. The money that people are able to put into these services have been really important. And I think you know that because when the conversation of recriminalization came up, everyone, all the elected officials said that that funding has to remain in place.

Kassandra, is there any argument that substance abuse became more visible in Oregon, particularly in the Portland area, after Measure 110 passed?

I think this is a great conversation. Public drug use happens because people usually don't have access to shelter or a home. Most people who use drugs have homes and don't use drugs in the street, and most people who are unhoused don't use drugs. There is a growing population of people who are unhoused, who are using drugs in the street, and the preeminent factor in that public drug use is that they don't have a home. And so I think if you're looking at the history of how homelessness rose in this time because of the eviction laws that were passed, because of the COVID eviction moratorium protections that were lifted during this time, you'll see that the unsheltered population rose, and those that are struggling and using drugs to cope with being unsheltered became more public and more visible. And those issues can't be attributed to Measure 110. They're attributed to the longstanding issues in Oregon around homelessness.

I want to turn now to the legalization of drugs versus the decriminalization was passed with Measure 110. You've advocated for legalization. What do you see as the upside of that?

I think in the moment that we're in right now, where our drug supply is continuously changing with more fast acting drugs, more powerful drugs, drugs that we have less scientific research around, it makes it more difficult for us to actually support people when the drug supply is shifting and shifting faster than we had in past years. And so, the conversation around the regulation of drugs is really about stabilizing the drug supply so that we can create the supports for people who use drugs.

In 1970, President Nixon signed the CSA, the Controlled Substances Act, into law. Was the signing of that act the beginning of the war on drugs.

The signing of the CSA was not the beginning of the war on drugs. Unfortunately, the war on drugs globally has been going on for a very long time. And in the United States, the first evidence of it here is in the late 1800s in California, where we passed the first drug laws, in part as a political tool to control Chinese migrants who had been working on the railroad. And so, we have had a long-standing strategy around drug criminalization and drug prohibition that has honestly set up the situation that we're in today.

What do you see as the specific failures of the war on drugs?

The war on drugs, as we see it, has really focused on criminalization. And that criminalization is not just something that we see in our criminal legal system. That strategy of criminalization, of surveillance, of stigma has infiltrated all our systems, and it's made it more difficult for us to give access to support for people who need it. It's also heavily relied on the legal system, which has incurred incredible amounts of incarceration, criminalization, deportation.

It's also really ripped apart families. People often don't speak to the ways that children are taken away from their parents, forcing other loved ones to be caretakers, and the disruption that is happening in the psychic impacts of what that looks like. And I think most urgently what we're seeing now is that our strategy of prohibition has made the drug supply more toxic and made it more difficult to manage, which has made it even more difficult for us to create the healthcare infrastructure to support people who are struggling with their use.

The Drug Policy Alliance has spent the last two decades in the pursuit of alternatives to criminalization. How do we stem the tide on the abuse of drugs like fentanyl?

Part of the things that we really need to focus on is what are the supports that are necessary for people? How are we giving people access to public education about fentanyl? How are we giving public education about all drugs? How we're giving public education around testing materials, giving people the opportunity to have testing materials so that they can know what is in their drug supply before they use them. How are we increasing access to different kinds of addiction services? So not just inpatient and outpatient treatment, as people traditionally have known. But what are the additional supports that can lead to someone stabilizing their use? And I think we have to look at our healthcare system, which has also really been impacted.

Kassandra, as you know, there are people who are opposed to Measure 110 and have been since the beginning. What do you see as the path forward that will benefit all of the communities that are grappling with drug addiction and the people living there?

I think we have to remind people that criminalization is not an appropriate way to deal with drug use. We know that because overdose has gone up in the hundredfold inside jails and prisons. We know that because when people come out of a jail in prison, they are 27 times more likely than the general public to have an overdose. People are frustrated, and I can appreciate that. I'm frustrated as well. My family members are frustrated with that as well. I'm living in the same wall that everyone else is, I'm experiencing the same wall that everyone else is, and I just truly believe that criminalization is not a pathway forward for us to get the things that we say that we want.

Kassandra, thank you for being on The Excerpt.

Thank you for having me.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Rae Green and Bradley Glanzrock, for their production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected]. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

• Your Health
• Treatments & Tests
• Health Inc.
• Public Health

In a pandemic milestone, the NIH ends guidance on COVID treatment

Pfizer's Paxlovid combines two antiviral drugs to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

Pfizer's Paxlovid combines two antiviral drugs to fight the virus that causes COVID-19.

These days, if you're sick with COVID-19 and you're at risk of getting worse, you could take pills like Paxlovid or get an antiviral infusion.

By now, these drugs have a track record of doing pretty well at keeping people with mild to moderate COVID-19 out of the hospital.

The availability of COVID-19 treatments has evolved over the past four years, pushed forward by the rapid accumulation of data and by scientists and doctors who pored over every new piece of information to create evidence-based guidance on how to best care for COVID-19 patients.

One very influential set of guidelines — viewed more than 50 million times and used by doctors around the world — is the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"I think everyone [reading this] will remember [spring of] 2020, when we did not know how to treat COVID and around the country, people were trying different things," recalls Dr. Rajesh Gandhi , an infectious diseases specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a member of the NIH's COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel. Around that time, people were popping tablets of hydroxychloroquine and buying livestock stores out of ivermectin, when there was no proof that either of these drugs worked against infection by the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 ( later studies showed that they are ineffective ).

Coronavirus Live Updates

Nih panel recommends against drug combination promoted by trump for covid-19.

It was early in the COVID-19 pandemic when the NIH convened a panel of more than 40 experts and put out its first guidelines, which became a reference for doctors around the world.

For the next few years, it was an "all hands on deck" endeavor, says Dr. Cliff Lane , director of the clinical research division at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and a co-chair of the panel.

Panel members met several times a week to review the latest scientific literature and debate data in preprints. They updated their official guidance frequently, sometimes two or three times a month.

End of an era

Lately, the development of new COVID-19 treatments has slowed to a drip, prompting the guideline group to rethink its efforts. "I don't know that there was a perfect moment [to end it], but ... the frequency of calls that we needed to have began to decrease, and then on occasion we would be canceling one of our regularly scheduled calls," says Lane. "It's probably six months ago we started talking about — What will be the end? How do we end it in a way that we don't create a void?"

The last version of the NIH's COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines was issued in February. The archives of the guidance — available online until August — document how scientific understanding and technological progress evolved during the pandemic.

Lane says specialty doctors groups — such as the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America — will be the keepers of COVID-19 treatment guidance from now on. They're the usual stewards of best-practice guidelines anyway, he says.

At this transition point, panel members say the evolution of COVID-19 treatments offers lessons for dealing with new emerging infectious diseases.

Turning points in treatment

In the spring of 2020, hospitals in parts of the U.S. were filling up with the first pandemic wave of COVID-19 patients. "We were just learning how the disease progressed. Our first guideline [ issued that April ] was, basically, we don't know what does and doesn't work," says Gandhi, of Massachusetts General Hospital. "But we did learn fairly quickly — mostly in hospitalized patients — what did work."

By June 2020, data supported a treatment plan for very ill patients: Use steroids like dexamethasone to stop the body's immune system from attacking itself, and combine them with antivirals, to stop the virus from replicating.

Then, about a year into the pandemic, came another turning point: solid evidence that early treatment with lab-made antibodies could help keep COVID-19 patients out of the hospital. "This was a somewhat unexpected and dramatic [positive] effect," Lane says, noting that previous attempts to develop antibody therapies against influenza were unsuccessful.

The way these drugs, called monoclonal antibodies, worked out "provided so much insight into the virus itself," says Dr. Phyllis Tien , of the University of California, San Francisco, and a member of the COVID-19 treatment panel. While initially successful, the antibodies targeted the coronavirus's fast-changing spike protein. New strains of the coronavirus would knock out each new antibody version in about a year .

This cat-and-mouse strategy didn't last.

Shots - Health News

How monoclonal antibodies lost the fight with new covid variants.

By the end of 2021, the Food and Drug Administration authorized two pill courses that COVID-19 patients could try taking at home to get better: Merck's molnupiravir and Pfizer's Paxlovid, a combination of two antiviral drugs: ritonavir and nirmatrelvir.

"Both have, as I like to say, warts," says Carl Dieffenbach , director of the AIDS division at NIAID and part of the agency's program to develop antivirals for pandemics. "Molnupiravir's warts are that it works marginally," meaning the data shows that it isn't very effective. And while Paxlovid works pretty well, it can't be taken with a lot of common drugs. "[Many] doctors are uncomfortable or unwilling to manage ... [patients] who should take it, but are on a statin or some other drug through the process," Dieffenbach says.

Another antiviral drug, remdesivir , is also considered fairly effective for treating mild to moderate COVID-19, though it's harder for patients to access, as it's administered intravenously. The drug company Gilead tried to make it into a pill, but it didn't work .

Underuse of effective treatment

The hurdles that come with each of these outpatient treatments have contributed to low usage rates among the patients they're intended to help, says Jenny Shen , a research scientist at the CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health.

Shen's research found that at the height of the pandemic, just 2% of COVID-19 patients reported getting molnupiravir and 15% reported getting Paxlovid, among those considered to be eligible for the drugs.

The study uses data from 2021-2022 — a time when the federal government bought these drugs from manufacturers and provided them free to states, health centers and pharmacies. Shen notes that rates of use have likely further declined since late 2023, after the drugs got transitioned to the commercial market , since they're "not as free as before" and, in many cases, require copayments.

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus faq: is paxlovid the best treatment is it underused in the u.s..

Another part of the problem is that doctors can be reluctant to prescribe these outpatient treatments, since they can be difficult to manage if a patient has other health problems, Shen says.

Yet another challenge is that many patients with risk factors just don't believe they'll get very sick. "A dilemma we have observed is that patients want to see how severe their disease may become," but in waiting, they become ill beyond the point where the treatment would help, Shen says.

Even now, when some 13,000 people are getting hospitalized with COVID-19 each week, more patient education on how the drugs work and when they're most effective could help those who are sick make better-informed decisions, she says.

There's one more COVID-19 drug in late-stage clinical trials that could be promising, says Dieffenbach. It's a pill course by the Japanese company Shionogi that's getting tested for its efficacy against both acute and long COVID. "I'm waiting to see how this all turns out," he says, "But then that's it. That's what's in the pipeline" for the near future.

• COVID treatments

A new Ozempic rival helps patients lose fat, but keep their muscle — the holy grail for a weight-loss drug

• A new GLP-1 drug, pemvidutide, helped patients lose fat while guarding muscle like exercise does. 
• The weekly injectable from Altimmune saw trial participants lose about 75% fat and 25% muscle.
• Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are also researching how to preserve muscle mass in GLP-1 users.

It's the holy grail for a weight-loss drug : Stay strong, but lose the fat.

The drugmaker Altimmune says its new weekly injectable, pemvidutide, saw patients lose about 75% fat and only 25% muscle in results of a Phase II clinical trial the company announced on Wednesday.

That's impressive when you compare it to existing GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which use semaglutide, or Mounjaro and Zepbound, which use tirzepatide.

Related stories

On those drugs, patients can lose as much as 40% of their muscle mass. Their muscle-to-fat ratio usually still improves, but in particularly vulnerable populations, such as older adults, rapid and significant muscle loss can be a dangerous issue. This is why doctors recommend patients on weight-loss drugs do some strength training in tandem with taking their medication.

But representatives for Altimmune say its drug may mimic the beneficial effects of weightlifting without making you do the work. Pemvidutide, like tirzepatide, is a two-part drug that combines a GLP-1 drug with another in a single shot. In this case, it's boosting glucagon, a key blood-sugar-regulating hormone. While the GLP-1 reduces a person's appetite, the glucagon is thought to mimic the effects of exercise, the company says.

"There is a growing appreciation that the quality of weight loss is as important as the quantity of weight loss," Scott Harris, Altimmune's chief medical officer, said in a release. "We believe that pemvidutide, if approved, could stand out as an attractive option for weight loss and weight maintenance."

Other drugmakers are trying to solve the issue of patients losing muscle while on drugs like Ozempic

In July, Eli Lilly, which makes Zepbound and Mounjaro, acquired Versanis, a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The deal was worth $1.9 billion , FierceBiotech reported.

Versanis makes a monoclonal antibody called bimagrumab, which is thought to help preserve more muscle mass, even through weight loss.

The same antibody is also being tried with semaglutide in a worldwide Phase II clinical trial run by Eli Lilly.

Watch: Ozempic explained: how a miracle diabetes drug became the center of a weight loss craze

• Main content

Drug Abuse as an Ethical Issue Essay

Theories explaining how life should be lived are defied by the addicts, they device their new ways of living which are inconsistent with the societal rules and norms. Drugs change an individual’s ego making him/her to have desires and aspirations different from those of the society (Thiroux 5).

The addict develop new desires equivalent to those of other addicts, which act to destabilize the whole society. On the side of duties and obligations, the societal norms stipulate that individuals should be caring to other members of the society especially the children and the old. Able members need to be providing the basic needs to the unable ones such as the sick and elderly. A drug causes the able members to spend all resources on them at the expense of those in need in the society (Warner 1).

Every society has its own rules and norms that guide the conduct and behavior of individuals, it is expected that at all times the society will continue to exist peacefully. The addicts introduce other forms of conducts to the society consequently changing the social structure of the society. It is observed that the society experiences changes in social roles and positions, results to playing of reversed roles (Zalta 3).

Utilitarianism as a theory argue that before people think of the consequences of their behavior, they always weigh whether the action is right or wrong, others consider the pain and pleasure of a particular action before concluding on the action. To members of society, it is evident that some consideration is given to an action before acting. For the addicts, this is not the case because they have no business in societal norms and rules (Zalta 1).

The universal law of Kant says that people act in their best very ever and wish that other people could also act in the same way as they do. The challenge is whether people will accept to follow the rules of nature that they participated in making them. The theorist further argues that while the universal laws are made, people should not be forced to accept some that are not within their maxim.

Some universal laws such as those associated with human rights were made basing on this theory. People in various states agree that some of the most pressing needs are the basic ones that include shelter, food, clothing and security. It becomes the role of the governments and other humanitarian institutions to guarantee the basic needs to every one worldwide.

When making decisions, it is necessary that a combination of theories be marshaled to explain particular phenomena effectively. Theories in the modern world are never applied singly because they will only give narrow understanding of problems. Without proper application, theories will not have attained their function of widening understanding on world issue.

Works Cited

Thiroux, Jacques. Ethics Theory and Practice . 9 Ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2007. pp. 406-428.

Warner, Keith. Using Ethical Principles in Moral Reasoning about the Environment . Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. 2009. Web.

Zalta, Edward. Introduction: The Challenge of Environmental Ethics . The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. The Metaphysics Research Lab Center for the Study of Languages and Information. 2009. Web.

Zalta, Edward. Traditional Ethical Theories and Contemporary Environmental Ethics . The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. The Metaphysics Research Lab Center for the Study of Languages and Information. 2009. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, December 23). Drug Abuse as an Ethical Issue. https://ivypanda.com/essays/drug-abuse-as-an-ethical-issue/

"Drug Abuse as an Ethical Issue." IvyPanda , 23 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/drug-abuse-as-an-ethical-issue/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Drug Abuse as an Ethical Issue'. 23 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Drug Abuse as an Ethical Issue." December 23, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/drug-abuse-as-an-ethical-issue/.

1. IvyPanda . "Drug Abuse as an Ethical Issue." December 23, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/drug-abuse-as-an-ethical-issue/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Drug Abuse as an Ethical Issue." December 23, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/drug-abuse-as-an-ethical-issue/.

• Ageism: The Problem of Modern Society
• Healthcare Issues of Elderly Population
• Chinese Democratic Dictatorship Essence
• Blocking Paradigm. Conditioned Learning Variables
• Awakening of the United States of America
• Maxim's Caterer in the Hong Kong Market
• Widening of Roadways With Additional Lanes
• Gender Roles and Sexuality in Media: Cosmopolitan & Maxim
• Net Widening in the Juvenile Justice System
• The Maxim Hotel: Design and Market Feasibility
• Is It Ethical to Abort Based On Genetic Disability?
• Concept of Utilitarianism Theory
• Necessary Evil: Synthesis and Analysis
• Ethical Problem - Tony Nicklinson's Legal Battle
• Limitations of Utilitarianism

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Public Health Issues — Drug Addiction

Drug Addiction Essay Examples

Hook examples for drug addiction essays, the personal story hook.

Start your essay with a personal story or anecdote related to drug addiction. Share an experience or the journey of someone who has struggled with addiction to create an emotional connection with your readers.

The Shocking Statistics Hook

Begin with alarming statistics or data about drug addiction rates, overdoses, or the economic impact of addiction. Highlight the gravity of the issue to capture the reader's attention.

The Historical Perspective Hook

Explore the historical context of drug addiction. Discuss the evolution of drug policies, societal perceptions, and the impact of substances on different cultures and time periods.

The Celebrity Case Study Hook

Examine the stories of well-known individuals who have battled drug addiction. Discuss their struggles, treatment, and how their experiences shed light on the broader issue of addiction.

The Societal Consequences Hook

Highlight the societal consequences of drug addiction, such as family breakdowns, crime rates, and the burden on healthcare systems. Explain why addressing addiction is essential for the well-being of communities.

The Brain Science Hook

Introduce the science behind addiction by discussing how drugs affect the brain's reward system. Explain the neurological aspects and why addiction is considered a complex brain disorder.

The Recovery Success Hook

Share stories of individuals who have successfully recovered from addiction. Emphasize the themes of resilience, rehabilitation, and hope to inspire readers and showcase the possibility of recovery.

The Policy and Legislation Hook

Discuss drug policies and legislation related to addiction. Explain how policies have evolved and their impact on addiction treatment, prevention, and societal attitudes.

The Prevention and Education Hook

Highlight the importance of prevention and education programs. Discuss initiatives aimed at raising awareness, providing resources, and educating the public about the dangers of drug addiction.

The Personal Reflection Hook

Begin with a thought-provoking question or reflection on the broader implications of drug addiction. Encourage readers to consider their own perspectives and attitudes toward addiction.

Analysis of The Roles and Challenges in Addressing Substance Abuse

What are drug courts, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Argument Drug Addiction

The problem of drug addiction: causes, effects and solutions, drug addiction is a powerful evil demon, the terrible social problem of drug abuse, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Substance Abuse: Drug Types, Alcohol, Tobacco, and More

Drug abuse, its effect on health, and preventative measures, the relation between drug addiction and crimes among the youth, hidden impact of substance abuse, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

Drug Addiction in Our Brain

An examination of the genetic risk factors in drug addiction, biological basis of addiction, the drug abuse problem, teenage drug abuse in the united states, impact of drug abuse on today's society, the theme of drug and alcohol abuse in books and films, investigating causes of drug abuse /effects /intervention strategies in kenya, technology addiction among youth and its impact, the negative consequences of drugs consumption, the effects and possible solutions of drug abuse in society, the addiction of america with drugs, analysis of substance abuse through biological, psychological and sociological perspectives, prescription drug abuse among teenagers, arguments against legalization of illicit street drugs, a view of the usage of suboxone in the battle against dependency on opioid, the downtown eastside community of people, important ideas on perceptions & attitude of youth towards narcotic drugs, hate being sober: why african americans experience substance abuse in their community, drug abuse in kenya.

Contrary to the popular belief, drug addiction is an issue that is not only met among famous rock stars or people living in the streets with no home or shelter of any kind. In truth, since the evolution of synthetic drugs, even middle school children have become the victims of drug addiction. The same can be said about people who tend to live with the help of strong painkillers and medication that contains narcotic substances. Finally, we can take the ongoing issue of recreational marijuana, which is also addictive. It shows that once you start exploring this social issue, it goes way further than we initially think.

While the subject of drug addiction can be met all over the world for decades, it does not get enough coverage or statistics regarding the range or scope of the problem. It has always been in discussion since the famous Opium Wars that you might have heard of while at school or in college. Still, the modern side of the problem has been linked to the nightclubs and entertainment among young people. You can see some of our free samples on this subject to get a better idea. Regardless if you take the past or the modern times, it will have enough to write about.

Starting with the World Federation Against Drugs (an international NGO) to famous celebrities who have battled addiction, we have several people who have started an international movement to show young people how a person cannot battle the woes of addiction alone without professional medical help. The examples include Robert Downey Jr, Demi Lovato, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Drew Barrymore who has announced that she was an addict while being only 13, Elton John, Jamie Lee Curtis, a famous children’s book author, Keith Urban, Daniel Radcliffe, Eric Clapton, Carrie Fisher (Star Wars), and many others.

• Mental and physical degradation.
• Violation of the federal laws.
• Inability to recover without ruining one’s body.
• The physical danger of overdose.

Even if you have not faced any person with an addiction in your life, it is still something that we should not ignore. As a college student and a responsible person, you can make a major difference by protecting people from this awful situation with the help of education and social help. It also relates to people in recovery who require help and support. As the social stigma is quite strong, the addicts are usually left on their own and rarely ask for help, not only because they do not realize that they need help. By providing better information and exploring this subject, you can make a difference and save lives.

It does not matter what topic you may be given or have the freedom to choose for your college essay, you can explore the economical state, criminal situation, and many other aspects of life. For example, one of our paper samples talks about Bangladesh and drug addiction among young people while the other one explores the process of overcoming this problem. You can also start a debate regarding recreational marijuana and all those dangerous cocktails in modern nightclubs. The possibilities are virtually endless, which is why this topic is often approached by colleges worldwide.

The most important aspect here is understanding that you (or your friend) cannot cope alone without professional medical help. One of the reasons why addiction rehabs are present in the life of the ex-addicts is the role of the chemical processes in one’s body, which means that a person receives special medication to decrease the reception of the elements that lead to dangerous consequences. In addition, providing mental support is also important, which is something you can do as a student. Finally, the best method is to prevent something bad from happening, which can be done with the help of educational materials and discussions with young people.

Relevant topics

• Eating Disorders
• Mental Health

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Bibliography

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

From IVF to birth control, Supreme Court abortion pill case could spark challenges to other drugs

WASHINGTON — Vaccines, birth control pills, hormone therapies and fertility drugs would be subject to new litigation if the Supreme Court endorses a challenge to abortion pill mifepristone, pharmaceutical industry experts warn.

When the court on Tuesday weighs whether to roll back Food and Drug Administration findings that made mifepristone more readily available, it is not just access to that particular drug, used for the majority of abortions nationwide, that is on the line.

The pharmaceutical industry has raised the alarm, telling both the justices in court filings and anyone else who will listen that giving individual federal judges the power to cast aside the agency’s scientific health and safety findings would cause chaos within the sector.

It would likely lead to litigation over other drugs, both current and those yet to be approved, on which people have strong feelings.

If the anti-abortion groups win, “anyone with an ideological disagreement, coupled with a scientifically untrained judge, could challenge the FDA’s authority,” said Amanda Banks, a physician and entrepreneur who signed a brief along with dozens of other pharmaceutical executives and companies backing the FDA.

The main pharmaceutical industry group, PhRMA, also filed a brief in support of the government.

Some activists have long railed against certain vaccines, claiming without evidence that they can cause autism. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were largely unfounded concerns raised by vaccine skeptics that the vaccines were not safe.

Anti-abortion activists, some of whom oppose all contraceptives, have long opposed the morning-after pill, viewing it as akin to abortion despite evidence suggesting otherwise .

LGBTQ activists have called on the FDA to specifically approve the use of hormone therapies for gender-affirming treatments. Groups that oppose gender-affirming care for transgender youth have asked the FDA to prevent puberty blockers from being prescribed to minors.

Other medications that could be subject to challenge include those developed using embryonic stem cells, drugs that treat HIV/AIDS and fertility drugs used for in vitro fertilization, industry experts and others who back the FDA say.

For business leaders, there’s also a concern a ruling against the government could stifle innovation by deterring investors in an industry that relies on billions of dollars in upfront research and development in order to bring drugs to market.

“My biggest concern is the precedent it sets ... could have a chilling effect on investors coming into our business and investing in our innovative companies,” said Paul Hastings, an industry veteran who is the CEO of Nkarta Therapeutics and signed on to the same brief as Banks.

He and others stressed that the FDA is considered the “gold standard” of drug regulation worldwide. For investors, FDA approval is the final part of a rigorous and expensive process. Only 1 in 10 drugs under development ever end up being marketed, Hastings said.

Investors might look for safer bets if FDA approval merely leads to constant litigation, he added.

In court papers , the FDA itself said that no court has ever restricted access to an approved drug “by second-guessing FDA’s expert judgment about the conditions required to ensure that drug’s safe use.”

When the agency in 2016 began the process of lifting restrictions on the drug, its actions were “supported by an exhausting review of a record including dozens of scientific studies and decades of safe use of mifepristone by millions of women,” the brief said.

The challengers, doctors and other medical professionals who oppose abortion argue that FDA failed to sufficiently take into account safety concerns when the restrictions on mifepristone were lifted.

Erin Hawley, a lawyer with conservative Christian group Alliance Defending Freedom, who is arguing the case for the plaintiffs, rejected the notion that the case could have such far-reaching effects, calling it a “red herring.”

She said in an interview that the FDA has not identified any other drug approval that would be threatened.

“The reason being is that what FDA did in deciding to remove long-standing protections for women who choose to take mifepristone is quite extraordinary,” she added.

ADF has no plans to challenge any other drug approvals, a spokeswoman said.

The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority hostile to abortion rights, as illustrated most starkly by the 2022 ruling that overturned abortion rights landmark Roe v. Wade.

The legal question in Tuesday’s case does not focus on abortion itself but in part on whether the FDA followed the correct processes in easing restrictions on mifepristone.

The plaintiffs sued in a federal court in Texas where the case was guaranteed to be assigned to Matthew Kacsmaryk, a conservative judge appointed by President Donald Trump.

Kacsmaryk in April of last year issued a sweeping ruling that invalidated the FDA’s approval of the drug decades ago.

That ruling was put on hold by the Supreme Court and has subsequently been narrowed by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The original approval of mifepristone in 2000 is not at issue before the justices. The case focuses on FDA actions from 2016 onward that made it easier to access the pill, including the initial 2021 decision that made it available by mail, which was finalized last year.

The justices will also probe 2016 decisions to extend the window in which mifepristone could be used to terminate pregnancies from seven weeks’ gestation to 10 weeks and reduce the number of in-person visits for patients from three to one. In another 2016 move, the FDA altered the dosing regimen, finding that a lower dose of mifepristone was sufficient.

The FDA-approved regimen for a medication abortion involves two drugs: mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone, and misoprostol, which induces contractions.

That the justices put Kascmaryk’s ruling on hold could be a sign that a majority is inclined to reject the challenge. Only two of the nine justices, conservatives Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, objected to that decision.

It is possible the court could resolve the case without delving into the knotty legal issues around the FDA’s approval process. The government has argued strenuously that the doctors and others who filed the lawsuit do not have legal standing because they cannot show any injury that can be traced to the FDA’s decisions.

The doctors themselves do not prescribe mifepristone, but they suggest they are injured because they could be required to treat patients who have taken the pill and have serious side effects. As they oppose abortion, any actions they are forced to take to help a woman complete the process would make them complicit, the plaintiffs argued in court papers .

The FDA’s lawyers wrote in the government’s brief that the plaintiffs can at best point at a “hypothetical scenario,” which is not enough to establish standing.

The challengers, the brief stated, “cannot identify even a single case where any of their members has been forced to provide such care.”

Lawrence Hurley covers the Supreme Court for NBC News.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• March Madness
• AP Top 25 Poll
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Easter 2024

Supreme Court again confronts the issue of abortion, this time over access to widely used medication

Two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and paved the way for bans or severe restrictions on abortion in many Republican-led states, the justices are considering a new abortion case that would affect women across the country.

FILE - Boxes of the drug mifepristone sit on a shelf at the West Alabama Women’s Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on March 16, 2022. The Supreme Court will again wade into the fractious issue of abortion when it hears arguments Tuesday, March 26, 2024, over mifepristone, a medication used in the most common way to end a pregnancy, for a case with profound implications for millions of women no matter where they live in America and, perhaps, the race for the White House. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)

• Copy Link copied

File - The Supreme Court is seen on Friday, April 21, 2023, in Washington. The Supreme Court will again wade into the fractious issue of abortion when it hears arguments Tuesday, March 26, 2024, over mifepristone, a medication used in the most common way to end a pregnancy, for a case with profound implications for millions of women no matter where they live in America and, perhaps, the race for the White House. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - People march through downtown Amarillo to protest a lawsuit to ban the abortion drug mifepristone, Feb. 11, 2023, in Amarillo, Texas. The Supreme Court will again wade into the fractious issue of abortion when it hears arguments Tuesday, March 26, 2024, over mifepristone, a medication used in the most common way to end a pregnancy, for a case with profound implications for millions of women no matter where they live in America and, perhaps, the race for the White House. (AP Photo/Justin Rex, File)

FILE - Erin Hawley, with Alliance Defending Freedom, exits the federal courthouse on March 15, 2023, in Amarillo, Texas. The Supreme Court will again wade into the fractious issue of abortion when it hears arguments Tuesday, March 26, 2024, over mifepristone, a medication used in the most common way to end a pregnancy. Hawley, who is married to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is representing the abortion opponents at the Supreme Court. Both Hawleys served as law clerks to Chief Justice John Roberts early in their careers. (AP Photo/David Erickson, File)

FILE - The Supreme Court is seen in Washington, March 7, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

FILE - The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

FILE - The Supreme Court is photographed, Feb. 28, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will again wade into the fractious issue of abortion this week when it hears arguments over a medication used in the most common way to end a pregnancy , a case with profound implications for millions of women no matter where they live in America and, perhaps, for the race for the White House.

Two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and cleared the way for bans or severe restrictions on abortion in many Republican-led states, abortion opponents on Tuesday will ask the high court to ratify a ruling from a conservative federal appeals court that would limit access to the medication mifepristone, which was used in nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the United States last year.

That decision to reverse Roe had immediate political consequences, with Democrats making the case that the court had taken away a right that women held for half a century and winning elections as a result. Even conservative-leaning states like Kansas and Ohio voted against abortion restrictions. If the court were to uphold restrictions on medication abortions it could roil the election landscape in races for Congress and the presidency.

By rolling back Food and Drug Administration changes to the use of mifepristone, the ruling would cut off access to the drug through the mail and impose other restrictions, even in states where abortion remains legal. The restrictions would shorten the time when mifepristone can be used in pregnancy, to seven weeks from 10 currently.

Most adults in the U.S., 55%, believe medication abortion pills are very or somewhat safe when taken as directed by a doctor, according to a KFF poll from May 2023, and 65% have “a lot” or “some” confidence in the FDA to ensure that medications sold in the U.S. are safe and effective.

A decision should come by late June. But no matter the outcome, the Supreme Court has not seen its last abortion case. Legal battles are pending over state restrictions, and new federal limits are likely if former President Donald Trump, Republicans’ presumptive nominee for 2024, returns to the White House.

Next month, the justices will hear arguments over whether a federal law on emergency treatment at hospitals must include abortions, even in states that have otherwise banned them.

AP AUDIO: Supreme Court again confronts the issue of abortion, this time over access to widely used medication.

AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports on a Supreme Court hearing Tuesday surrounding access to an abortion pill.

Mifepristone, made by New York-based Danco Laboratories, is one of two drugs, along with misoprostol, used in medication abortions. Their numbers have been rising for years, and they accounted for 63% of the more than 1 million abortions in the U.S. last year, according to an estimate by the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. More than 5 million people have used mifepristone since 2000.

Mifepristone is taken first to dilate the cervix and block the hormone progesterone, which is needed to sustain a pregnancy. Misoprostol is taken 24 to 48 hours later, causing the uterus to contract and expel pregnancy tissue.

Health care providers have said that if mifepristone is no longer available or is too hard to obtain, they would switch to using only misoprostol, which is somewhat less effective in ending pregnancies.

Underscoring the importance of the case, the number of medication abortions is rising for several reasons. Taking pills at home to end a pregnancy is less invasive than surgery, more convenient than having to travel to an abortion clinic and more private, allowing women to avoid anti-abortion protesters who picket clinics.

It’s becoming even easier to get the two drugs in some states now that CVS and Walgreens have announced pilot programs to dispense the pills at their pharmacies.

For women living in states with abortion bans or restrictions, mail order delivery may be their only practical option, said Julie F. Kay, executive director of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine.

The medication is sent by providers in states that have laws meant to shield them from any legal trouble for working with people who live in states that don’t permit medication abortions. The pills cost $150 and usually arrive within three to five days, Kay said.

Last year, 85,000 women worked with order-by-mail abortion provider Aid Access to obtain the medication, said Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, the group’s founder. Of those, 50,000 live in states with abortion restrictions, she said.

The current case followed closely the Supreme Court decision in June 2022 that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion. That ruling has led to bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy in 14 states, with some exceptions, and once cardiac activity can be detected, which is around six weeks, in two others.

Abortion opponents filed their challenge to mifepristone the following November and initially won a sweeping ruling six months later from U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk , a Trump nominee in Texas, which would have revoked the drug’s approval entirely. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals left intact the FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone. But it would reverse changes regulators made in 2016 and 2021 that eased some conditions for administering the drug.

The Supreme Court put the appeals court’s modified ruling on hold, then agreed to hear the case, though Justices Samuel Alito, the author of the decision overturning Roe, and Clarence Thomas would have allowed some restrictions to take effect while the case proceeded.

The doctors and groups that initially wanted mifepristone pulled from the market now say, in their main Supreme Court brief, that those recent changes “jeopardize women’s health throughout the nation” and didn’t follow the rigorous procedures required by federal law to alter safety restrictions on drugs.

“The Supreme Court’s got a chance to decide whether some agencies get a pass in decision making,” said Sarah Parshall Perry, a lawyer at the Heritage Foundation who supports the challenge.

Pregnant women who wish to take mifepristone, for example, no longer need an in-person visit with a doctor before getting a prescription, said Erin Hawley, the Alliance Defending Freedom lawyer who is representing the abortion opponents at the Supreme Court.

“Our clients are asking the FDA to put back in place safeguards that were there for nearly 20 years,” Hawley told The Associated Press. She is married to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Both Hawleys served as law clerks to Chief Justice John Roberts early in their careers.

But the administration said the elimination of doctor visits and the other changes were the product of more than 20 years of experience in regulating mifepristone, including evaluating safety data and studies of thousands of women. Its view is shared by several leading medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Seven former FDA commissioners said in a court filing that the agency exercised special care in its initial approval of mifepristone because it was dealing with an abortion drug. Subsequent changes were “driven by a straightforward and thorough application of the expert scientific review process that Congress entrusted to FDA,” they wrote.

Mary Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California at Davis who has written extensively about abortion, said rolling back the FDA rules “would render pretty much all the doses of mifepristone on the market potentially misbranded and mislabeled, which could mean, I think, you know, months of disruption in terms of the drug being available.”

More broadly, Ziegler said, the “case has the potential, obviously, to upend how drug approvals function.” The prescription drug industry also has weighed in forcefully on the administration’s side.

The administration and Danco both make extensive arguments, contested by the other side, that the abortion opponents lack the legal right, or standing, to bring the case.

If the court agrees they’re right, it would preserve access for mifepristone without touching on the more politically sensitive issues in the dispute.

Associated Press writer Linley Sanders contributed to this report.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

HHS Announces Savings for 41 Prescription Drugs Thanks to Inflation Rebates from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Lower Cost Prescription Drug Law

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, people with Medicare may pay a lower coinsurance for some Part B drugs if the drug’s price increases faster than the rate of inflation.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), today announced 41 drugs available through Medicare Part B will have a lowered Part B coinsurance rate from April 1 – June 30, 2024, if the drug company raises prices faster than the rate of inflation.  An estimated 763,700 people with Medicare use one or more of these drugs annually.

Because of the President’s lower cost prescription drug law, the Inflation Reduction Act, which establishes the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program, some people with Medicare who use these drugs during that time period may save between $1 and $3,575 per average dose depending on their individual coverage.

“Thanks to President Biden’s lower cost prescription drug law, the cost of prescription drugs is coming down for people with Medicare. We are putting money back in the pockets of older Americans and people with disabilities instead of Big Pharma,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “President Biden made lowering prescription drug costs for Americans a top priority, and he has delivered.  We will continue to use every lever we have to lower health care costs for more Americans.”

The Inflation Reduction Act requires drug companies to pay rebates to Medicare when prices increase faster than the rate of inflation for certain drugs. CMS intends to begin invoicing prescription drug companies for rebates owed to Medicare no later than fall 2025. The rebate amounts paid by drug companies will be deposited in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, which will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the Medicare program for future generations. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to lowering drug prices for everyone – and discouraging price increases above the rate of inflation by drug companies is a key part of this effort,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “All people should be able to afford their medication, and the Inflation Reduction Act continues to deliver on this promise.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program is just one of the Inflation Reduction Act’s prescription drug provisions aimed at lowering prescription drug and health care costs. In addition to this program, the law expanded eligibility for full benefits under the Low-Income Subsidy program (LIS or “Extra Help”) under Medicare Part D at the beginning of this year. Nearly 300,000 people with low and modest incomes are now benefiting from the program’s expansion. A comprehensive public education campaign is underway to reach the more than three million people who are likely eligible for the program but not yet enrolled. In addition, as of January 1, 2024, some people enrolled in Medicare Part D who have high drug costs have their annual out-of-pocket costs capped at about $3,500. In 2025, all people with Medicare Part D will benefit from a $2,000 cap on annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.

More information is available here on the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program.

Learn more about the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program including a fact sheet on the 41 Part B drugs with a coinsurance reduction for the quarter April 1 – June 30, 2024.

More information and helpful resources about the Inflation Reduction Act and how it is helping lower costs for people with Medicare can be found at LowerDrugCosts.gov.

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Subscribe to RSS

Receive latest updates

Related News Releases

Fact sheet: the biden-harris administration urges congress to lower drug costs for americans with commercial insurance, biden-harris administration receives counteroffers from drug companies as part of ongoing negotiations to lower drug prices, biden-harris administration issues final guidance to help people with medicare prescription drug coverage manage prescription drug costs, media inquiries.

For general media inquiries, please contact  [email protected] .

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces sweeping sex-trafficking inquiry: What the feds have, need to prove

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Over the last few months, a legendary name in the music world has faced a series of shocking allegations of sexual abuse.

In civil lawsuits, four women have accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of rape, assault and other abuses, dating back three decades. One of the allegations involved a minor. The claims sent shock waves through the music industry and put Combs’ entertainment empire in jeopardy.

Now, the hip-hop mogul’s legal troubles have worsened considerably.

Law enforcement sources told The Times that Combs is the subject of a sweeping inquiry into sex-trafficking allegations that resulted in a federal raid Monday at his estates in Los Angeles and Miami.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ L.A., Miami homes raided in sex-trafficking inquiry, sources say

Agents search Sean Combs’ Holmby Hills and Miami mansions as part of a federal inquiry into sex trafficking allegations, law enforcement sources said.

March 26, 2024

Authorities have declined to comment on the case, and Combs has not been charged with any crime. But the scene of dozens of Department of Homeland Security agents — guns drawn — searching Combs’ properties underscored the seriousness of the investigation.

At the same time as the raids, police in Miami arrested Brendan Paul, a man described in a recent lawsuit against Combs as a confidant and drug “mule.” Miami-Dade police took Paul, 25, into custody on suspicion of possession of cocaine and a controlled substance-laced candy, records show.

Paul was arrested at Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport, where TMZ posted video showing Combs walking around Monday afternoon. An affidavit reviewed by the Miami Herald alleged that police working with Homeland Security found drugs in Paul’s bag. There is nothing in Miami court records connecting Combs to Paul, who was later released on $2,500 bail.

The arrest, however, is the latest in a string of legal woes tied to Combs.

Sources with knowledge of the sex-trafficking investigation into Combs, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said federal authorities have interviewed at least three women, but it’s unclear whether any are among those who have filed suit.

Behind the calamitous fall of hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

In the wake of multiple lawsuits filed against him, former members of Combs’ inner circle told The Times that his alleged misconduct against women goes back decades.

Dec. 13, 2023

Legal experts say it could take time to build a criminal case against Combs but note that the civil suits could offer investigators a road map.

Dmitry Gorin, a former L.A. County sex-crimes prosecutor who is now in private practice, said the allegations in the lawsuits would likely have been enough for a judge to grant search warrants for Combs’ homes.

Investigators probably would seek authorization to “search for videos or photographs on any devices connected to the target ... anywhere where digital images can be found in connection to sexual conduct that would have been recorded,” Gorin said.

Shawn Holley, an attorney for Combs, did not respond to requests for comment, but Aaron Dyer, another of his lawyers, on Tuesday called the raids a “witch hunt” and “a gross overuse of military-level force.”

“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” Dyer said in a statement. “This unprecedented ambush — paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence — leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations.”

Combs has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Gorin and other legal experts said investigators could be focused, in part, on the sexual assault allegations involving a minor. If a minor is moved across state lines for the purpose of sex, “that is enough for at least an argument ... of sex trafficking because somebody underage cannot consent,” Gorin said.

“Sex trafficking for adults usually involves some sort of coercion or other restraints,” he said, and can be tougher to prove. Prosecutors would need to show you “encouraged somebody to engage in sexual activity for money or some other inducement.”

Coercion, he added, is not limited to threats of violence. It could involve being held against one’s will or someone simply saying, “I don’t want to participate in group sex, and now I’m being forced to.”

Homeland Security investigates most sex-trafficking operations for the federal government. Legal experts say one possibility why the agency could be involved in this case is because the women involved in the allegations against Combs could be from other countries.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sexual harassment suit includes notable music industry names

A new suit from music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones makes new, explosive claims about Combs’ alleged assaults and misconduct in granular detail, naming several prominent artists and music executives as well.

Feb. 28, 2024

Meghan Blanco, a defense attorney who has handled sexual trafficking cases, said they can be “incredibly difficult cases to prove.”

“They have [in the Combs case] convinced one or more federal magistrates they had enough probable cause for one or more search warrants,” Blanco said. “Given the scope of the investigation, it seems they are further along than most investigations.”

Combs’ legal troubles have been building for months.

His former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, the singer known as Cassie, accused him of rape and repeated physical assaults and said he forced her to have sex with male prostitutes in front of him. Joi Dickerson-Neal accused Combs in a suit of drugging and raping her in 1991, recording the attack and then distributing the footage without her consent.

Liza Gardner filed a third suit in which she claimed Combs and R&B singer Aaron Hall sexually assaulted her. Hall could not be reached for comment.

Another lawsuit alleges that Combs and former Bad Boy label president Harve Pierre gang-raped and sex-trafficked a 17-year-old girl. Pierre said in a statement that the allegations were “disgusting,” “false” and a “desperate attempt for financial gain.”

After the filing of the fourth suit, Combs wrote on Instagram: “Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

Last month, producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones filed a federal lawsuit against Combs accusing him of sexually harassing and threatening him for more than a year. The suit includes mention of Paul in connection with “the affairs ... involving dealing in controlled substances.”

On Monday, the suit was amended to include Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. as a co-defendant in the lawsuit.

Cuba Gooding Jr. added as co-defendant in Lil Rod’s lawsuit against Diddy

Cuba Gooding Jr. is added as a co-defendant in a lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Record producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones accuses the actor of sexual assault.

Blanco said prosecutors “are going to look carefully for corroboration — the numbers of people accusing the person of similar acts.” Beyond that, they will be looking for videos, recordings and cellphone records that place people in the same locations or text messages or other discussions at the time of the alleged acts.

She said prosecutors are trying to build a record of incidents that happened some time ago.

Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura and another, unnamed plaintiff, said in response to reports of the search warrant issued against Combs: “We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.”

Wigdor on Tuesday called his clients “courageous and credible witnesses.”

“To the extent there is a prosecution and they want our clients to testify truthfully,” he said, “I think they will and that will be damning evidence.”

The searches Monday in L.A. and Miami sparked worldwide attention.

Diddy’s ‘Love’ producer Lil Rod accuses him and associates of sexual assault, illicit behavior

Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones has filed a bombshell lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accusing the media mogul of sexually harassing and threatening him.

Feb. 27, 2024

His 17,000-square-foot Holmby Hills mansion, where Combs debuted his last album a year ago, was flooded with Homeland Security agents who gathered evidence on behalf of an investigation being run by the Southern District of New York, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the inquiry.

Two of Combs’ sons were briefly detained at the Holmby Hills property as agents searched the mansion in footage captured by FOX11 Los Angeles.

Both Blanco and Gorin said prosecutors will have to examine the accusers’ motives for coming forward and whether they are motivated by financial gain. They are sure to look for inconsistencies in any allegations, they said.

Any defense, Blanco added, will question why the accusers are only now coming forward and whether they have an incentive beyond justice.

“It comes down to credibility,” she said.

Times staff writers Stacy Perman and Nardine Saad contributed to this report.

More to Read

Feds want Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ communications, flight records in sex-trafficking probe

March 29, 2024

50 Cent denies Daphne Joy’s rape allegation after trolling her over mention in Diddy lawsuit

Inside the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ raids: Emptied safes, dismantled electronics, gun-toting feds

March 28, 2024

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Richard Winton is an investigative crime writer for the Los Angeles Times and part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2011. Known as @lacrimes on Twitter, during almost 30 years at The Times he also has been part of the breaking news staff that won Pulitzers in 1998, 2004 and 2016.

More From the Los Angeles Times

A South L.A. teen died after a fight at school. Officials ruled the death an accident. What comes next?

A Compton couple fixed neighborhood potholes. The city has ordered them to stop

Winner of $1-billion Powerball has been revealed. Another jackpot is up for grabs

To catch a thief: Oakland installs hundreds of surveillance cameras to try to thwart crime