The effects of drugs in
our society are horrific. Drug abuse results in crime, depleted resources,
injuries, worsened livelihoods and the deprivation of childcare and healthcare
to innocent citizens.
How does drug abuse affect the community?
It costs everyone money
According
to DrugRehab.org, drug and alcohol abuse rake up an annual fee of nearly
$600 billion. Abusing drugs and alcohol comes side effects, requiring
support and resources from health care, lost revenue, damages with many and
health care. The ripple effects of drug use include sexual assault, prison sentences,
foster care placement, child abuse and work-related injuries. The more society
abuses drugs, the more we pay for it as a whole.
It monopolizes
health care resources
Every
year, drug abuse costs the healthcare industry over $180 billion. Health care
is responsible for rehabilitation programs and services, mental disorders and
injuries related to drug abuse or addiction.
Drug
abuse demands tax dollars and hospital resources that could be directed
toward other more positively beneficial efforts and life-saving endeavors.
It disrupts
the family unit
Drug abuse takes an extensive toll on the family, which
in turn has a negative impact on society. Studies show the tendency of one
family member to abuse drugs or alcohol and this one family member’s problem
causes tension amongst all members.
If
a parent is misusing drugs or alcohol, it creates strain in the spousal (if
any) relationship, driving the parent’s partner into frustration and fatigue,
possibly resulting in a lack of effort at work, in parenting, in friendships or
in the ability to care for himself or herself.
parent
abusing drugs always leads to the children receiving inadequate care. This
results in poorer childhood health, reduced academic performance, neglected
emotional support and more.
As
the children of a drug abuser are denied basic necessities of parenting (often
including shelter and food), their involvement in and contribution to society,
later on, is hindered. In some cases, the emotional burden is too great,
causing the affected children to turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism
and recreating the cyclical negative process.
When
one child in the family is addicted to or abusing drugs, it affects everyone.
Parenting efforts and financial resources tend to go toward helping the one
child, neglecting the needs of the other seemingly stable kids in the family.
The stable children are denied necessary parenting attention and fail to be
pushed toward their potential that would lead to greater positive influence in
society in their adulthood.
It results in
crime
Over
half of federal prison occupancy is accounted for by individuals with
incarcerations related to drug abuse or addiction. Each year, drug-related
incarcerations in state prisons cost taxpayers $45 billion as well as $144
million in federal prison incarcerations.
More
crimes are committed by individuals under the use of drugs and alcohol, costing
society its resources, time, efforts and safety.
Everybody else
has to work harder
Drug abusers bring down the productivity at work.
They
are late, absent or mentally impaired on the job, requiring other employees to
make up for their lack of productivity. Straining the work capacity of
fellow employees triggers irritation and exhaustion in these employees, which
has a ripple effect on their relationships with partners, family and friends
and eventually, on their ability to function optimally at work.
These
consequences of drug abuse on society are not necessary outcomes of every drug
abuse situation, but they are unfortunately the common result and just some
examples of how substance abuse worsen feelings of stress. Abusing drugs takes
a toll on everyone, stemming from the abuser to close connections, family, work,
health care and society as a whole.
If
you or a loved one is facing drug addiction or abuse, reach out to United
Recovery Project. We have the knowledge, resources, experience, and facilities
necessary to help you or your loved ones get through this drug-related trying
time. Contact us today and enjoy our services which include detox, inpatient
programs and alumni programs among others.
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