Different Points of View

Illegal drug use in the US and many countries has escalated up to the highest level in nearly a decade. The different views to this issue has been point of attention among society; for quite a while now; but people are still debating and doing all there is to do to support their points of view. The percentage of people who do not support the legalization of illegal substances is higher than the percentage of people that supports the idea of legalization. The people who do not support this idea is the people who had friends or relatives that have died due to illegal substances, or people who have lost a loved one due to someone who was under the influence of an illegal substance. They also think that with legalization of illegal substances, even with the regulations people will find ways around those restrictions. Mr. Peter Delaney (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, from NPR News, 09/16/2010) said: "When I hear kids on campuses say hey, it's just pot, I'm saying, what's your grades like? you know, do you go to class? We have to stop having a relativistic discussion - saying oh, it's not harmful; please it's not like heroin - and start having a kind of clear discussion of, this is what this one does; this is what this one does. Drug use, it does impact you." on the other hand Ms. Heather Turner (student, UCLA, NPR News) who is in favor of legalization in one of the oldest known illegal substance, Marijuana said: "It's tremendous what it can do for people, you know, for everything from like, migraines to menstrual cramps, to people going through chemotherapy and stuff.'' Officials say the number of people who are getting treatment for drug abuse is still just about the tenth of those who need it. But we still don't know what the future laws will be like, meanwhile let the great debates engross us.

Survey Results

       In the survey i did i gave four names of different drugs, and asked which of those drugs was not a natural drug. I was expecting more wrong answers than right answers, but at the end it was the opposite. I am actually glad that what i was expecting did not happen, because that shows that people have been reading my blog or they are well informed about the big issue that drug problems represent in society. Based on this survey i think i will have to research more deeply into things that people may not know about this topic, and to begin i am going to tell you this shocking fact about one of the most dangerous drugs. Did you know that taking Ecstasy raises the body temperature? and when taken in hot atmosphere the risks are even worse because this can cause dehydration.

Other helpful information

       The website Above The Influence is an effective, and credible source of information about drug problems and how to help a friend who has these problems. The website is laid out effectively and it is organized, also it has subtitles which makes it easier to navigate in this website. This website is not so accurate because it does not gives all sides of the issue, although it gives helpful information like the signs of a person who might have a drug problem, and how you can help them. The website is not credible because it does not say who the editor is, though it has information in case you need more help. The content of this website is very good because it gives lots of different information it even helps you know when parents use drugs. The main goal of this website is to inform the people on how to help someone that has drug problems. What someone can learn from this website are the signs of someone who has a drug problem, and how you can talk to a friend and convince them that they have a problem and need to get help. Although the website does not have many visuals that would make it more interesting it has lots of great information for those who have drug problems, and even for persons who might want to help their parents, friends, anybody. And what is the link so you can go check out this great website????

 http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/help/help-friend-drug-alcohol-problem.aspx

Drugs Today!!

Did you know that the abuse of drugs goes up each year? Drugs are much easier to get these days, it doesn't matter what kind of drugs people manage to get them. Although we live in a state where illegal drugs is still a serious issue the state has legalized the use of marujuana for its medicinal purposes. Some people are in favor of this law and some are disturbed by the decision of legalizing marijuana, and a big question people are considering is: Does permitting medical marijuana amount to ''Back-door legalization'' of pot? some support  allowing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, but some say that this has nothing to do with medecine and has eveything to do with attempting to evade controlled-substance laws. The use of illegal sustances is a very questioned topic nowdays, because more and more people are being affected. Just think of how many persons have died or have lost friends due to these substances. Even though there are help centers and all kind of help people need to treat themselves there are still many problems related to drug abuse, and this is what worries the community because we don't know if we are doing enough to confront this problem or if this has just become a world wide problem.



Sources: CQ Researcher, june 12 2009, pg 541.
EBSCO database: Obama's rating at new low; drug take-back day, CNN saturday morning news

Drugs and its History

Originally, all drugs were natural substances. The use of narcotics made from plants dates back as far as 8,000 B.C. when the juice of the poppy was cultivated to produce opium in the Middle Eastern region(present day Iraq). Use of marijuana was recorded 3,000 years ago in China and in early Hindu religious rites. As drug use has changed from medicinal or religious purposes over the years, and with the invention of other drugs such as designer drugs; which are not natural substances; people started to become more concerned with drug addiction, and the reckless reactions of its users. With the change of drugs, a change in its users also occured. The banal and careless procedures to make these new substances is probably what led to such problems in society. Too often the person does not even know beforehand the actual content of the drug, and the unpredictability of such contaminants is precisely what makes illegal drugs so risky. However the people who are in greatest danger are those who use drugs excessively and frequently. Such sustained use can ruin a persons life. Drug use may lead to psychological problems that start with disturbing flashbacks and paranoia and can eventually can move on to depression, mood swings and delirium.

Drugs

Through this blog i will be answering, analyzing, and explaining what are drugs? who's the most affected? and the impact this problem has had on society. I chose to do this topic because i think is one of the things that has escalated up to a point where our community its being affected, not only mentally,but also physically due to the actions drugs can cause.