Part 2 of a social work policy paper

Current program or policy

· Rationale for proposed change/new program or policy 

o Why the proposed change is needed. Provide an argument based on your analysis from Part 1

o Why it will make a positive difference. Describe, using evidence, 

o Why it is most appropriate at this time

· Key initial steps moving forward (Advocacy TEMPLATE) 

o Possible supportive stakeholders to engage

o Addressing opposition

o Research and policy analysis

o Feasibility

o BASED ON ANSWERS FROM TEMPLATE, LIST THE IMMEDIATE NEXT 3 STEPS IN STARTING ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN

Running Head: ADDICTION IN TEENAGERS

 1

ADDICTION IN TEENAGERS 9

Addiction in Teenagers

Susan Castro

University of Louisville

Addition in Teenagers

Problem definition

Addiction can be defined as a chronic and repulsive disorder of the brain, which is characterized by seeking and use of drugs that are compulsive, regardless of their harmful consequences. Drug dependence is a complicated brain disease. Brain disease is distinguished by neurotic, occasionally uncontrolled, drug desire, trying, and has that continue even into the face of highly harmful effects. -Drug-seeking turns into compulsive, in large part as the consequence of the consequences of extended drug use onto brain functioning and, Therefore, on behavior. For some people, drug dependency turns into habitual, by means of relapses likely still after extended periods of abstinence. Drug addiction is a chronic, frequently relapsing brain disease that induces compulsive drug search and usage despite detrimental effects to the person that is addicted and to those in them. Drug dependency is a brain disease because the misuse of drugs contributes to alterations in the structure and use of the mind.

Scale/Magnitude

Dependency is a social problem that crosses all the boundaries; that is; it is universal. It is a global problem because of its compulsive, progressive, obsessive, and repetitive nature. This chronic and progressive condition affects all people irrespective of their race, gender, occupation, age, as well as socioeconomic status.

Target Population

Teenagers possess a threateningly higher risk of drug usage and the development of a dangerous addiction. The first drug use in teenagers is voluntary, but after continuous consumption, one becomes unable to resist the drugs as a result of the changes that occur in the brain. An investigation into dependency has also played a significant part in society’s perspective on drugs. The research has demonstrated that adolescents are more inclined and vulnerable to growing dependence. Some adults have even changed their views onto allowing their kids to take specific drugs. One could hope that the research has increased consciousness into dependency amongst teenagers, yet the number of teens applying and hearing drugs like never before is increasing. Investing and growth in management opportunities has been significant over the last few decades showing both the necessity and demand for drug management. The community has tried to change the drug culture by stopping the most significant users by treating this illness. Care may be useful, but only when the drug addict needs it.

These adolescent years are a crucial period to prevent drug usage. Seeking drugs as a teen increases the chance of developing substance usage disorders. The earlier the year of initial use, the higher the probability of later dependency. Adults are at an increased risk of the addiction when they find instruction pain-relieving drugs following the surgery or else because of the prolonged pain issue. People with the history of addiction should be especially cautious with opioid hurt relievers and confirm to inform their doctors about previous drug usage.

Addiction is an affliction that is both tragic and destructive since it can result in physical and emotional harm, and in the end, it costs lives. Addictive substances lead to crises in mental health, thus leading to an increase in deaths that are related to drug abuse (Edelfield, 2012).

Gender

Adolescence boys are not as susceptible to drug addiction as adolescent girls. Girls are typically pressured in private and by people they trust. Boys are usually pressured in groups and out in the open giving them more reasons to say no or even walk away. Girls get hooked faster and suffer from the consequences sooner than boys their same age who experience they same type and amount of drug. Researchers say girls face many unique risks that can make alcohol and drug use potentially more dangerous for them, for example:

· Girls are more likely than boys to be depressed, have

eating disorders

, or be

sex

ually or physically abused — all of which can increase the likelihood of substance abuse.

· Girls using alcohol and drugs are more likely to attempt suicide.

· Substance use can lead to abuse and addiction more quickly for girls than boys even when using the same amount or less of a particular substance.

· Girls are more susceptible to

lung

damage as a result of

smoking

and alcohol-induced

brain damage

.

· Girls and young women who frequently use drugs or alcohol are more likely to engage in risky sex or be the victim of sexual assault (Edelfield, 2012).

Causal Analysis

Causes

In most cases, substance use by teenagers is usually substantially imprudent and motivated by their peers. Other youths who develop drug addiction tend to have been abused in someway. Drug abuse can be for recreational purposes among adolescents, while other teenagers begin using drugs due to their exposure to prescribed medications. (Edelfield, 2012). Also, it can be as a result of the family history of dependency. In some families, drug addiction is more common and involves genetic tendencies.

Consequences

The introduction of substances that are unnatural or addictive to their brains can affect the teens’ body chemicals, thus leading to insufficient healthy development. The signals between the neurons can be shut by the dopamine that some drugs release in large quantities. These substances also can damage the hardwiring of an individual, thus making dependent on these unnatural substances, and this generates a biochemical change.

Sometimes, cross-addiction may happen as the result of regular drugs. Mostly, these drugs affect the part of the brain that governs addictive behaviors and dependence as a summary. The dopamine receptors placed in the brain are not able to differentiate between the two. The mind releases the “look good” material called dopamine in reaction to anything pleasant. The dopamine masks any suffering; therefore, the person feels pleasant. That suffering from dependency starts to feel like they need it. They no longer feel pleasant and began to have cravings, and these cravings cause the person to regress. People in recovery even want that feeling. Essentially, they need to reach this up again, and they might try that via another matter.

Scientists believe that all habit-forming drugs modify the mind’s ‘reward structure,’ by increasing the release of the material dopamine from neurons in essential regions of the brain. Dopamine action happens after pleasant experiences, for instance, after food or sex, but may also be caused by some drugs. Drugs that artificially alter dopamine release in the manner may have a craving for more. Some people may likely have the genetic inclination to make them produce drug addictions exceptionally quickly.

Anyone may grow addicted to drugs because physical activity is the same for all humans. When drugs or alcohol are taken in, they have the release of the chemical component in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is in charge of “great feelings” and the happy high that drugs make. Any substance that causes dopamine to be created will be addictive because, at the time, the body can generate an attitude to the drug.

Addiction of the youths affects their families because they tend to have strained relationships with their family members. In most cases, drug abuse results in dysfunction of the family because it causes crises in the family and endangers numerous aspects of the family.

Teenagers’ addiction makes them become a burden to society as they are not able to be self-supporting. It also increases the cases of crimes because most of the youths are unemployed, and in the attempt to quench their thirst for drugs may end up stealing to raise funds to purchase these drugs (Hanson et al. 2011).

Ideological analysis

Liberals

The liberals support the legalization of some drugs such as marijuana. This is because when such drugs are legalized, the government will be in a position to regulate and control its sale, and this will ensure that teens will face difficulties in obtaining such drugs, thus reducing the problem of drug addiction among the youths (Scheier & Hansen, 2014). 

Legalization has had a positive outcome for consumers, too. The legalization of cannabis has led to better quality and safety rules and the reduction in drug-related mob violence, and it provides for enforcement to concentrate on more violent crimes. Cannabis has been known to be intertwined with other toxic drugs. If the marketing of cannabis is governed by the government, consumers know what is going in their goods. The report published in Addiction shows that consumers are inclined to pay the premium for regulated cannabis.

Conservatives

According to conservatives, addiction and substance misuse among teenagers is a pivotal contributor to crime, can lead to mental health crises and lead to an early death. A preventive approach ought to be put in place to help in stopping the problem of addiction from ruining the lives of the youths as well as causing drug-related deaths among them.

People having addictive disorders might be conscious of their trouble but remain incapable of breaking it. This addiction might have health issues, too, as issues at work as well as with family members and friends. This abuse of drugs and alcohol is the leading cause of avoidable illnesses and untimely demise. Since dependency affects some aspect of the person’s life, numerous kinds of care are frequently taken. For the most, the combination of individual and group therapy is most useful. A management approach that addresses the individual’s condition and reoccurring medical, medicinal and social issues will lead to continuous improvement.

Psychological health issues and illnesses are often complicated by the existence of different health conditions and may be compounded by a variety of societal problems. In particular, mental state and substance usage issues, and addictions more broadly, have large and vital areas of overlap. Substance abuse is often the result of the underlying mental illness or illness; conversely, substance abuse may contribute to the growth of psychological health issues and diseases.

Analysis of gainers and losers

Gainers- The government

The government will gain when the issues of addiction among teenagers are addressed. This is because the government of the United States of America has been spending a lot of money that is tens of billions yearly attempting the use of harmful drugs. Developing drug use prevention programs such as a nationwide school-based program will help the government in reducing its cost because the program will only use a small fraction of the funds that the government spends on controlling drug abuse.

Losers

The family

If the issue of addiction among teenagers is not well addressed, their families are likely to suffer financial losses. As a result, losing family income when their kids end up not completing their high school or college studies or fail to obtain an advanced degree (Scheier &Hansen, 2014).  The family is likely to suffer considerable losses in their finances as a result of higher medical costs since a lot of addictions lead to health complications that can lead to increased costs in the entire life of the teenagers. The family ends up bearing such burdens.

The society

Failure to address the addiction problem sufficiently affects society economically. This is because drug abuse leads to increased costs on a societal scale due to higher incarceration rates, theft, and other criminal justice costs. Also, drug addiction costs society billions of dollars in health care expenditures, enforcement of drug laws, lost productivity (Hanson et al. 2011).

References

Edelfield, B. (2012). Drug Abuse, :(Teen Mental Health).

Hanson, G., Venturelli, P., & Fleckenstein, A. (2011). Drugs and society.Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Jimenez, Jillian (2014). Social Policy and Social Change: Toward the Creation of Social and Economic Justice, 2nd Edition. Los Angeles: Sage.

Scheier, L. M., & Hansen, W. B. (2014). Parenting and teen drug use: The most recent findings from research, prevention, and treatment. Oxford University Press.

Ritter, Jessica A (2019) Social Work Policy Practice: Changing Our Community, Nation and the World, 2nd Edition, Cognella Academic Publishing.

ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN PLANNING FOR: (
Your Plan) ________

· Current program or policy

· Rationale for proposed change/new program or policy

. Why the proposed change is needed. Provide an argument based on your analysis from Part 1

. Why it will make a positive difference. Describe, using evidence,

. Why it is most appropriate at this time

· Key initial steps moving forward (Advocacy TEMPLATE)

. Possible supportive stakeholders to engage

. Addressing opposition

. Research and policy analysis

. Feasibility

. BASED ON ANSWERS FROM TEMPLATE, LIST THE IMMEDIATE NEXT 3 STEPS IN STARTING ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN