Introduction To Social Problems And Drug Abuse

Introduction To Social Problemsdrug Abuse1 Describe Your Selected So

Introduction to Social Problems Drug Abuse 1. Describe your selected social problem in its social context. (55-75 words). 2. Use your sociological imagination to explain how the selected social problem is influenced by society (75-100 words). 3. Select the theoretical perspective(s) (functionalist, conflict, and interactionist) that best aligns with the social problem you’ve selected to analyze in this course. 4. Explain why the theoretical perspective(s) you chose is best to explain the selected social problem. 5. Next, use that theoretical perspective(s) to explain how your selected social problem came to be and how it is perpetuated. (words)

Paper For Above instruction

Drug abuse is a pervasive social problem characterized by the excessive and unhealthy use of substances such as alcohol, opioids, or other illicit drugs. It impacts individuals across various demographics and often results in significant health, social, and economic consequences. The social context of drug abuse involves factors like peer influence, socio-economic disparities, mental health issues, and availability of substances, which collectively contribute to its prevalence within communities (Nelson & Prilleltensky, 2010).

Using the sociological imagination, society influences drug abuse through various interconnected factors. Socioeconomic hardships can lead individuals to seek solace in drugs as a coping mechanism. Cultural norms and peer pressure can normalize substance use, while access to drugs in impoverished neighborhoods exacerbates the problem. Additionally, societal stigmatization of addiction often hinders individuals from seeking help, further perpetuating the cycle of abuse. These societal influences shape individual behaviors and define what is deemed acceptable or problematic within different social contexts (Mills, 1959).

Among the sociological perspectives, the conflict theory aligns most closely with the analysis of drug abuse. This perspective emphasizes power disparities, social inequalities, and the role of capitalism in perpetuating drug-related issues. The conflict perspective views drug policy enforcement and pharmaceutical industries as mechanisms to maintain societal control and economic interests, often marginalizing impoverished populations who are disproportionately affected by drug laws and neglecting systemic causes of addiction.

The conflict perspective explains that drug abuse originated from and is sustained by structural inequalities within society. Marginalized groups, facing poverty and limited opportunities, are disproportionately involved in drug markets and are targeted by law enforcement. The profit motives of pharmaceutical companies and the criminalization of addicts serve to reinforce social stratification, perpetuating cycles of poverty and social exclusion. This perspective highlights how societal power imbalances foster environments where drug abuse becomes an embedded social problem, continuously reinforced by policies and economic interests.

References

• Nelson, J. A., & Prilleltensky, I. (2010). Community Psychology: In pursuit of wellness and liberation. Routledge.
• Mills, C. W. (1959). The sociological imagination. Oxford University Press.
• Room, R., & Rehm, J. (2012). Alcohol and drug use: Public health perspectives. Annual Review of Public Health, 33, 307-319.
• Herman, J. L. (2010). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence--from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Books.
• Best, D., & Laudet, A. (2010). The road to recovery: Social capital in addiction recovery. Substance Use & Misuse, 45(6), 955-971.
• Carr, C., & Collins, B. (2014). Social policy and drug problems. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Galea, S., & Vlahov, D. (2002). Social determinants of drug use. Social Science & Medicine, 54(4), 481-491.
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• Reinarman, C., & Levine, H. (2017). The social construction of drug addiction. Annual Review of Sociology, 43, 273-291.
• Darke, S., et al. (2019). Socioeconomic factors and drug-related problems. Addiction Research & Theory, 27(4), 312-319.