FREE ESSAY ON DRUG ABUSE

DRUG ABUSE

DRUG ABUSE in the United States of America, we, the people value several things, some of
which are freedom, expanding and taking care of our families and our financial security.
We, the people, take such things for granted. We also discourage some behavior, such as
crime, laziness and use of illegal drugs. Drug abuse is one of the most discouraged
behaviors in our country. Use of illegal drugs is harmful to the user and all those with
whom the user comes in contact. There are over 40 million illegal drug users in the world
today and America is the biggest market for drugs. There are more drug dealers in this
country, than there are dentists. Illegal drug abuse must be stopped; it hurts our
society, hurts us, and, most of all, hurts the user. Drug users are parasites, feeding
off society's money, taxes and insurance. Every type of insurance goes up because of drug
abuse, including auto, health and homeowners. Worst of all, the crime rate will sky
rocket if we let this behavior continue. Illegal drugs and their abusers are a plague to
society for many different reasons.. 
Drugs have very harmful effects on the user and the people with whom the user interacts.
The user is affected in many ways. The most popular drug in America, alcohol, is
generally thought of as socially acceptable and relatively harmless. But it can have
devastating effects. Alcohol might seem very harmless but it can harm the user very
easily. Alcohol is easy to obtain and consume. It is taken as a beverage and, since it is
legal, it can be purchased at the corner store. The immediate effects on the user are
relaxation and a slight anesthetic effect. Alcohol is a very addictive drug. There are
more than 18 million alcoholics in America2 , an indication of how widespread its harmful
effects are. Alcoholics normally drink a lot on mornings and weeknights, at times which
separate them for normal social drinkers. Often, the alcohol will bring out a violent
temper and often, alcoholics abuse, physically and mentally, their friends and family.
Drinking makes the drinker feel he is more confident. The drinker thinks he is in
control, even if a little high, and he might get behind the wheel of his car and go for a
drive. Drunk driving is deadly. Hundreds of thousands of people get killed every year due
to drunk driving. Other physical effects of drinking are vomiting, passing out and
sometimes, if enough alcohol is consumed over a long enough period of time, or if mixed
with other drugs, death. 
Marijuana is a popular, and illegal, drug. Its largest consumers are young adults.
Marijuana is smoked in a pipe or rolled in a cigarette. Thirty-seven percent of people
between ages 12-17 have tried marijuana.3 Marijuana gives a slight buzzing feeling of
light-headedness. Experimentation with marijuana is dangerous because studies show that
60% of people who smoke marijuana on a regular basis move on to try harder drugs soon
after.4 Marijuana tends to diminish the ambition and motivation in the user. In the long
run, it may cause lung cancer and other respiratory problems. 
Cocaine is another popular, illegal, street drug. Cocaine is snorted or smoked as 
crack(a cheaper and, as a result of being so affordable, more addictive way). Cocaine
gives the user a sense of well-being and extra energy. Cocaine is one of the most