Another type of social approach to drug use and addiction is to offer information
about how destructive drugs are, while still being biased against drugs
as something unworldly and horrible. Web sites exist (www.nida.nih.gov/STRC/Forms.html),
as well as brochures, which can enlighten our society to the evils of drugs.
It is good that the truth of the bodily harm caused by such chemicals is
made available, however, this attitude more often than not gives an impression
that the drug addict (or ‘social user’) is at fault, and is a bad person.
Once again the drug addict will feel forced to hide his/her problem, and
so will find it difficult to get the help he/she needs. One group
which has a similar outlook as the one described here, but which attempts
to reduce the amount of guilt normally associated with addiction, is narcotics
anonymous (www.na.org). As above,
it believes drugs are dangerous and addictive, and certainly to be avoided,
however, it acknowledges drug addiction as a problem to be worked through
and not some fairy tale disease which could not affect our ever superior
selves or those close to us.
Some outlying social factors:
1. "Nancy
Reagan" outlook
2. Informative
Negative Reinforcement
3. Decriminalization
More intimate social forces:
1. Role
Models
2. Peers
Home,
Definition,
Development,
Pathology,
Psychology,Sociology,
Treatment