Sociology

Thesis Statement
While the frequent use of drugs and its effects menace Americans in their socio-economic setting, geographic area, educational level, and racial identity, the consequences of drug use are felt badly. For example, the neighborhoods where unlawful drug markets thrive tend to be prone to repeated crime and violence cases. On the other hand, Americans who are short of ample health plans and have lesser incomes, for instance the youth, may be unable to pay for healing programs designed to conquer drug addiction.

What Americans need to comprehend is that no individual is invulnerable to the effects of drug use. Every individual is susceptible. Hence, there is a need to make a commitment to trim down drug abuse and not erroneously presume that unlawful drugs are someone elses responsibility. The purpose of this essay is to deliberate on recent public concern from the media on drug use, its causes or reactions and discuss a policy implication of drug use among the youth

Introduction
The youth drug abuse is in existence within the United States, Canada and the world as a whole. The epidemic is very costly to society but in particular to youth. The recent concern by the US Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske in his endeavor to clear up the Obama White Houses ostensibly indistinguishable stand on drugs, especially marijuana prohibition, gave a well researched speech delineating why drugs are bad for prosperous America. This came as a rebuttal to dispute of marijuana legalization many Americans (policy critics) have believed this to be the push by the government (Vandermeer, 2010). Kerlikowske refuted these claims in his speech that condemned drug (cannabis) dreadful consequences, citing examples of motor performance and claims concerning pot users whose test scores as well as educational performance, according to him, were influenced by drugs. He accused those who believed that Obamas budget on war on drugs could destroy change by asserting that they were dreaming. The conflict within various stakeholders (conflict theory) may appear to derail the fight against unlawful drugs. On the other hand, majority of senior people in government appear to participate in this business.

Kerlikowske (2010) argues that it was hard to mention drug policy issue which ranges from prevention to policing from a drug treatment drive point of view, without a clear mention of the role of the commonly used unlawful drugs among the youth, like marijuana. It is believed that marijuana is grown on public lands besides indoor growth, imposing drastic effects on the youth. He asserted that ever since the time he was sworn in, marijuana authorization, for any purpose if any is a hopeless case in the Obama Administration. This argument was based on the issue of marijuana medication, as Kerlikowske stressed that marijuana is thought to be a medicinal drug-where kids have been told it is safe-which is not the case. With his meeting with fellow counter parts from the Netherlands who confirmed to him that they were closing all marijuana outlets in the country because of its dreadful effects among the youth and other citizens, Kerlikowske emphasized on effective strategy that was to be implemented very soon to curb the menace.

Effects of drug abuse among the youth
The causes of drug use among the youth are really indefinite however, the consequences of this pandemic are very severe. Many young people tend to take pills or else enjoy the way such unlawful drugs make them feel. They may with no trouble get obsessed and misuse those drugs, which is the major problem. Majority of this youth who get addicted to the drugs may experience numerous problems, which may either be physical, psychological or economic ones.

The primary end result of drug abuse among the youth is physical effect. These are very severe because they could cause either death or permanent damage. For instance, drug misuse injures essential organs like heart, lungs and liver. It can also lead to neurological impairment, hence variations in body movements, lack of appetite, depression and hang-over (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2001).

The second effect could be psychological. In the beginning, drugs may make an individual feel more relaxed, however, with more consumption of it comes nervousness that could ultimately lead to depression. More so, drug abuse causes a set of family and legal problems, for example violence, dire change in behavior and to a large extent suicide (Vandermeer, 2010). The third consequence of drugs is related to economic life. Individuals spend lots of money on drugs, majority of them rarely think about the dollars they spend. Those who are addicted will spend each coin they get on drugs the younger generation will likely go to an extent of stealing to get money for drugs. This is seen as the worst practice of those who society tends to hold high hopes in.

Policy on implication of drugs
Gil Kerlikowske (2010) confirmed that the U.S. Senate had made a step forward on fight against illicit drugs with the appointment of Dr. Tom McClellan who is well versed with issues to deal with drug and treatment. The two are very passionate on need to devote resources in prevention, cure and recuperation sustenance nevertheless, they also welcomed the fundamental role that was being played by criminal justice system, through its supervision, handling or other interventions that were geared to curb the nuisance of drug, as well as the help extended to the addicted by the system. This balanced advance entails the synchronized and paired hard work of prevention, treatment, and law enforcement experts. In the midst of this perception in mind, the forthcoming policy on drug control strategy puts emphasis on proof-based agendas, steadiness, and partnership.

The United States policy which is deemed to be released very soon will focus on its commitment to decrease drug use among the youth. More investment has been initiated in fundamental plans, while upholding the continuing dedication of distracting drug traffickers both locally and internationally. The key subject matters of the policy, as it will be replicated in fiscal year budget of 2011 will incorporate

Community-Based Prevention
This will basically focus on prevention of drugs as it is presumed that individuals of age 21 who have not shown any signs of developing drug abuse will never do so. Also, prevention of drug consumption before it commences is termed as a cost-effective means, a sound approach of building secure and healthy communities.


Early Intervention
Screening arrangements have continually demonstrated to be really cost-effective as a result of disrupting drug-use forms before unrelenting addiction develops. Research has shown that drug abuse costs the United States over 50 billion on health care spending yearly, with the majority of funds being spent on preventable, calamitous effects of addiction.

Treatment and Recovery
The treatment of addictions needs to be of a high class and voluntarily accessible. More focus should be given to youth who are the generation of tomorrow. Furthermore, the policy must incorporate addiction cure keen on typical medication, and this treatment should be steered through the paramount scientific confirmation.

Drugs and Crime
The use of drugs among the youth is over and over again linked to criminal conduct that interrupts family and surrounding community life. The criminal justice system should come in handy to reduce drug consumption and its effects. The outcomes from respected programs, like drug courts, and latest options of confinement have been exceptionally encouraging (Kerlikowske, 2010). Such innovative plans are more cost-effective as compared to long-term imprisonment. Based on strain theory, society will not condone any cases of drug criminals, the checks and balances of social structures will be done on time and again to make sure that the menace is curbed.

International Partnerships
It is well understood that the U.S. drug use openly affects scores of countries around the globe via support of unlawful drug markets, production, and trafficking. Thus, the policy efforts towards provision of law enforcement as well as prohibition backing to various countries around the globe will persist (Hedlund et al, 2001). As distinguished in the United Nations Security Council Statement last year that West African countries have experienced depressing effects of drug trafficking connected to offense and aggression, the drugs and unlawful earnings could be destined to another place. The U.S. has a duty to back other nations to curb this epidemic making it a special duty.

The United States Priorities for 2010 Commitment to Narcotic Drug (CND)
Protecting the young generation in relation to the calamity of drug addiction is vital in dealing with the drug predicament. To sustain improved support meant for drug abuse prevention worldwide, and a further healthy swap of information on successful prevention advances, the U.S. has planned a resolution on prevention.

One more vital concern is the unlawful change and misuse of pharmaceutical drugs. This issue is fundamental to the United Nation Drug Treaties as well as the effort of the Commitment to Narcotic Drug (Kerlikowske, 2010). The countrys difficult familiarity short-lists the need to help superior access to desirable medicine, at the same time expanding the power to examine and bestow them beneath appropriate medical control. Prescriptions on drugs are distressing entire sectors of the country, and are a menace to the millions of young generation who misuse these drugs every day.

Conclusion
It is believed that the pursuits of the Office of National Drug Control Policy is promising, given the fact that it is seen as a step forward in preventing drugs consumption. There are many confirmed ways of minimizing the demand for drugs, for example through widespread, proof-founded prevention plans that need to focus on youth, who are seen to be at the peak period for drug-use and are prone to addiction. More programs should be carried out in homes, schools, churches and work places to enlighten youth on the dangers that are associated with drug addiction. A good program, which has shown some hope in fight against drug abuse, is the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign which has invested more efforts in linking with youth through well-liked television shows, Internet sites like Facebook and Myspace, famous magazines, as well as films. Furthermore, community based anti-drug groupings can also help in creating a good environment that is free from drugs.