Q: What exactly is the prevalence of the problem?
A: Illegal drugs cause an enormous toll to be taken on society, taking tens of thousands of lives annually and draining the economy of billions of dollars every year. This toll is payed for by America in the form of higher health care costs, dangerous neighborhoods, and an overcrowded criminal justice system. half of students today have tried an illicit drug by the time they finish high school. About 112 million Americans reported using an illegal drug at least once in their lives in 2005, and more than 35 million had used an illegal drug in the past year while 38 percent of 10th graders and 50 percent of 12th graders were reported to have ever tried any illicit drug in their lifetimes. This is a very prevalent problem in the United States.
Q: What are the costs of illegal drug abuse in the United States?
A: Illegal drugs cost America a staggering amount in many aspects including emotionally, financially, and psychologically. Illegal drug abuse accounts for about 52,000 drug-related deaths and an estimated $160 billion in economic costs each year, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Drug dependence is a chronic, relapsing disorder that takes an enormous toll on individuals, families, businesses, and communities. Addicted individuals often engage in self-destructive and criminal behavior and experts would even go as far as to say that illegal drugs constitute a threat to the national security of the United States.
Q: What are some of the signs or tips to look for that might indicate that someone is using illegal drugs?
A: Possible signs might include a change in attitude or behavior. The individual may become more irritable, secretive, withdrawn or overly sensitive. Extreme mood swings such as depression and inappropriate anger are also often an indication of illegal drug abuse. Change in things such as friends, lifestyle, interests, hygiene, relationships or eating habits are also signs to look for. Other results could also include difficulty in concentrating, loss of coordination, weight loss, slurred speech, red or glassy eyes, sniffly or runny nose and appearing spaced/zoned out. The presence of drugs or paraphernalia such as pipes, clips, lighters, spoons, broken light bulbs and cigarette papers are a very clear indication of illegal drug abuse as well.
Q: What should you do if you suspect your child is using illegal drugs?
A: The American College of Emergency Physicians provides the following counsel in response to this question:
If your child has developed a pattern of drug use or has engaged in heavy use, intervention is key. Contact a drug treatment program in your area or call your doctor, local hospital or county mental health society for a referral. Your school district should have a substance abuse coordinator or a counselor who can refer you to treatment programs, too.
Parents whose children have been through treatment programs can also provide information. Parents are the first defense in preventing drug use. They must show by example that drugs are not a healthy choice and must educate themselves so they can provide accurate information to their children, explaining the negative consequences of specific drugs.
Q: What are the different types of illegal drugs and their effects?
A: The following websites can offer an extensive list of different types of illicit substances
- http://www.streetdrugs.org/
- http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/index.html
- http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/concern.htm
- http://www.street-drugs.org/
- http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312847/drugs_illegal.htm
- http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/drugs.cfm
Q: What is the difference between “illegal” drugs and “illicit” drugs?
A: In Reference to drugs they are often used interchangably, but in general that which is illegal is against established law, while that which is illicit may be offensive to the general public, while not necessarily illegal.
Q: Where can I report illegal drug activity?
A: The best thing to do would be to contact your local law enforcement agencies (city police department and/or County sheriff’s office) with any information you may have. You can also submit information anonymously using the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Submit a Tip online form or you can also contact the DEA Field Office responsible for your area.
Q: What could happen if caught with drugs?
A: If drugs are found on you, you could be charged with one of two offenses: Possession or Possession with intent to supply drugs. If charged with Possession the police has the following options to choose from:
If charged with Possession with intent to supply drugs, the police can take the same courses of action as in simple possession cases, but this time the liklihood of you actually being charged are much higher and your case will go to court where penalties will be classified and applied.
Q: How long does it take to become addicted to drugs?
A: Because every drug is different and every person is different there is no set answer of number of days. One thing is for certain, however, it does not take long. HealthExpertAdvice.org describes an addiction as something you do because you like what you get and you dont want to stop. Alcoholics Anonymous also offers a checklist that you can go through:
1. when you see “it” you can’t say no.
2. you crave for it the moment you wake up
3. you crave for it right before you go to sleep or you can’t sleep without first having it.
4. you’re circle of friends have changed and either carry one or inviting you to have one or buy one.
5. you absolutely cannot and will not go on living unless you get to have one.
6. you have a lot of unresolved problems in your life and you wish to escape it as soon as possible.
7. you’d rather lose all your relatives and friends than it.
8. when you don’t have it for one day you get sick (vomit, have chills, can’t concentrate, feel shaky, irritable)
9. Have mood swings
10. family and friends are considering an intervention.
If you agree to all or at least half of this checklist then it would be safe to say that you are addicted and need to seek help.
Q: Is relapse common among illegal drug abusers?
A: Yes, extremely so, because there are psychiatric, social, and biological components to illegal drug dependence, there is a high likelihood of relapse. Key triggers to relapse are being around drug-using friends or environments, familiar sights, sounds or smells, stress and as well as others.
