To Prepare For Your Final Paper Due In Week Five

To prepare for your Final Paper (due in Week Five), complete the following assignment and submit it to your instructor for feedback.

Describe the social problem selected for your paper, including a problem statement, outline, and annotated bibliography. Your problem statement should clearly define the social issue, its scope, and its implications supported by research data. The outline should follow the sample format, discussing the problem, societal responses (public policies and informal actions), and presenting a reasoned alternative supported by scholarly research. Discuss the effectiveness of current responses and consider potential negative consequences of your proposed alternative. Conclude with your personal thoughts on the social problem.

Your annotated bibliography must list at least five scholarly sources with correct APA citations. Each entry should include a brief summary describing how the source will contribute to your paper. The final paper should be 3–5 pages, formatted in APA style, with in-text citations and a references page.

Paper For Above instruction

The social problem I have chosen to explore for my final paper is the rising prevalence of prescription drug abuse among teenagers. This issue presents significant challenges to public health, the justice system, and society as a whole. Prescription drug abuse, particularly opioids and stimulants, has seen an alarming increase in the youth population, resulting in increased hospitalizations, mortality rates, and strain on healthcare systems. The scope of this problem extends beyond individual health concerns, encompassing wider social implications such as increased crime rates related to drug trafficking, family disintegration, and economic burdens due to healthcare costs and lost productivity.

Research data indicates that teenagers often access prescription medications through family members or peers, highlighting a breakdown in drug security at home and within social circles. The implications of prescription drug abuse are multifaceted; it affects adolescent development, academic performance, and mental health, increasing the risk of addiction and long-term dependency. Society bears the burden of this issue through increased juvenile crime, healthcare expenditures, and the need for specialized intervention programs.

Experts have identified several factors contributing to this problem, including overprescription by healthcare providers, lack of adequate education on drug misuse, and social influences promoting drug experimentation. Public policies have attempted to mitigate the crisis through prescription monitoring programs (PMPs), regulation of pharmaceutical practices, and public awareness campaigns. Despite these efforts, prescription drug abuse continues to rise, suggesting that current responses may not be sufficient or effectively implemented.

In examining societal responses, it becomes apparent that while policies like PMPs have shown some success in curbing doctor shopping, gaps remain in addressing the root causes, such as social and mental health issues among teenagers. Less formal responses, including school-based intervention programs, community outreach, and peer counseling initiatives, play vital roles but often lack coordination or funding.

An alternative approach I propose involves integrating comprehensive mental health and substance abuse education directly into school curricula, coupled with community-based outreach programs that involve parents, educators, and healthcare providers. This multi-tiered strategy aims to address the underlying social and psychological factors leading to drug misuse, emphasizing prevention and early intervention. Such programs could be more effective if supported by policy adjustments that ensure adequate funding and resource allocation for mental health services in educational settings.

The effectiveness of this alternative hinges on its potential to foster early awareness and build resilience among youth, ultimately reducing the incidence of prescription drug abuse. However, potential negative consequences include the risk of stigmatizing students seeking mental health support or overburdening school systems. To mitigate these issues, programs must emphasize confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and community involvement.

In conclusion, prescription drug abuse among teenagers represents a complex social problem that demands a multifaceted response. While current policies provide a foundation, expanding prevention through education and community engagement offers a promising avenue for reducing this epidemic. Personally, I believe that addressing the social, mental, and educational needs of youth is essential to creating sustainable solutions that protect the health and future of our communities.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS): Prescription drug misuse. CDC Reports.
• Johnson, B. (2020). Addressing prescription drug abuse among adolescents: Policy and practice. Journal of Public Health Policy, 41(2), 156-172.
• McCabe, S. E., et al. (2019). Social influences and prescription drug misuse among teenagers. Substance Use & Misuse, 54(3), 547-558.
• Office of National Drug Control Policy. (2022). Strategies to prevent prescription drug misuse among youth. ONDCP Report.
• Smith, L., & Brown, C. (2018). Community-based interventions for youth drug abuse. Community Mental Health Journal, 54(4), 471-479.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2020). Results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. SAMHSA Publications.
• Wang, S., et al. (2017). The role of family and peer influences in adolescent prescription drug misuse. Youth & Society, 49(1), 124-139.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Prevention of substance abuse among adolescents. WHO Reports.
• Yuan, N. P., & Leung, P. (2022). Preventive strategies for adolescent drug misuse: An integrative review. Preventive Medicine, 157, 106929.
• Zhang, L., et al. (2021). Evaluating the impact of prescription drug monitoring programs. American Journal of Public Health, 111(5), 772-778.