Drug Statistics
The Department of Justice reports that over 25 million people 12 years of age and older used illicit drugs or controlled prescription drugs for recreational purposes in 2008. Marijuana is the most used illicit drug in the U.S., followed by prescription drug abuse and after that is the use of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs.
In 2008, 19.6% of 8th graders reported using illegal drugs during their lifetime. In that same year 34.1% of 10th graders and 47.4% of 12th graders reported illegal drug use during their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health Monitoring the Future Study.
Each year, drug-related deaths number in the thousands, and treatment admissions and emergency departments visits both exceed a million. These and other consequences of drug abuse, including lost productivity associated with abuse, the impact on the criminal justice system, and the environmental impact that results from the production of illicit drugs, are estimated at nearly $215 billions annually.
Marijuana Use and Abuse
Marijuana is a mixture of brown, green, or gray leaves, stems, seeds and flowers from the hemp plant. The mind altering chemical in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol also called THC. All marijuana is psychoactive, and alters the functioning of the brain. Additionally, as much as 400 other chemicals are found in marijuana, some of these chemicals may be cancerous. The use of marijuana has short-term effects. These effects include inducing feelings of euphoria, impairment of memory, distorted thinking and perception problems. The loss of motor coordination, decreased alertness, increased appetite (munchies) and increased aggression are also potential side effects. Some people like these effects and feel they are free from their usual pre-occupations. However, this does not last more than a few hours.
Cocaine Use And Addiction
The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, reported that nearly 37 million people in the U.S. aged 12 and older used cocaine at least once in their lifetimes. Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug that is used in powder form or injected. The health consequences of cocaine use is that it increases cardiovascular activities like heart rate and blood pressure. Headaches, nausea, anxiety, irritability, malnutrition, and abdominal pain are typical consequences of use.
Because of elevated cardiovascular response to cocaine use, a heart attack can result, even among young abusers. Long term use can result in problems with breathing, swallowing, smelling and runny nose.
Cocaine addiction treatment can prevent losing one’s job, family and money.
Controlled Prescription Drug (CPD) Abuse
The public health threat posed by increasing prescription drug abuse, particularly pain relievers has resulted in an increase in overdose. Narcotic painkillers, sedatives and tranquilizers, and stimulants can all lead to an addiction when abused. According to the Department of Justice almost 7 million people in the U.S. are abusing controlled prescription drugs (CPDs), more than the combined number of people abusing heroin, hallucinogens, ecstasy, cocaine and inhalants. Prescription pain killers are used by all demographics . Almost 1 in 10 high school students admits to having tried prescription painkillers. From 1995 to 2005, admissions to facilities for the treatment of prescription painkiller addiction grew more than 300 percent.
Those who abuse prescription drugs for the first time by age 16 have a greater risk of dependence during later stages of life. Getting at the reason for using drugs is the best way to get to the root of things.