Why Recreational Drug Use is Harmful to People and Society
Law enforcement officers and institutions charged with addressing the issues of drug and substance abuse in communities prioritize dealing with hard illicit drugs and substances such as prescription drugs, most of which are illegally acquired. However, they fail to acknowledge a cancer slowly eating away the human population in the name of recreational drugs. The implications of using recreational drugs in the US are a problem neglected by government officials and lawmakers because of numerous interests, including reaping profits from the drug industry. However, recreational drug use is harmful because all mind-altering substances can lead to addiction, deteriorated health, social problems, and economic problems, thus endangering people and society.
Background of the Issue
The use of drugs for recreation is a habit that has evolved with the human race over time. For thousands of years, individuals have used substances such as marijuana, alcohol, and hallucinogens to achieve an altered state of consciousness. However, the prevalence of recreational drug use is alarming because more individuals experiment with narcotics yearly and end up suffering from adverse effects (Sewell et al. 495). Many individuals assume that people who use drugs for pleasure stick to substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. Nevertheless,most prefer drugs such as nicotine, cocaine, and other hard substances. Thus, the term ‘recreational drug’ describes any mind-altering substance used for motives other than curing an ailment (Mooney-Leber et al. 482). Recreational drugs are destructive as they lead to abusing other substances and diminish individuals’ life quality.
Arguments against the Safety of Recreational Drug Use
Although most people champion recreational drugs due to their mild implications, they are still harmful because they alter individuals’ perceptions of reality and enable them to lose touch with the world. As a result, it is easy to become addicted to these drugs as users may adopt them as a solution to evade their troubles, ultimately leading to addiction (Güzel et al. 123). When someone is addicted to a drug, they experience reduced life quality regardless of whether they use it for recreation. Drug addiction prevents individuals from living normal life. Instead, they focus on getting their hands on more drugs and avoiding their consciousness(Acuff et al. 739). Physical and psychological dependence on illicit substances inhibits individuals from advancing in various areas of life and doing what they love. In addition, it discourages victims from interacting with others due to high levels of discomfort when sober(Blundell 145). Thus, it is advisable to avoid recreational drug use at all costs, as it can slowly develop into a habit with negative implications.
People use recreational drugs to achieve pleasure and pass the time. On the contrary, these substances lead to human suffering due to their harmful health effects. For example, individuals who smoke increase their chances of developing tracheal complications and lung cancer (Walker 307).Additionally, people who become alcoholics because of recreational preferences put themselves at risk of liver cirrhosis and poor health due to their inability to sustain a balanced diet and physical exercise (Sewell et al. 496). Individuals who use hard drugs like nicotine and cocaine are exposed to more severe implications, such as an overdose that can lead to death and transmissible diseases like HIV, spread through sharing injections and promiscuity due to impaired judgement (Blundell 146). In addition, intoxicated people can hardly operate machinery, thus posing threats if they drive or engage in activities requiring high levels of control and concentration. Thus, the severe health implications of recreational drugs support that it is detrimental to humans and society.
The uncontrolled use of recreational drugs can lead to social problems such as the inability to succeed in careers, increased rates of divorce, broken families, immorality, higher school dropout rates, and the neglect of critical human responsibilities.The inability to limit one’s drug intake can interfere with their dedication to work and other social activities (Güzel et al. 124). In addition, abusing drugs during recreation can erode personal relationships and increase the rates of gender violence, resulting in divorce and broken families. Additionally, using drugs for leisure encourages immorality due to hampered judgement. Moreover, teenagers and youth are at risk since they perceive using these drugs as fun (Mooney-Leber et al. 490). Nevertheless, overindulgence results in poor concentration in school, diminished interest in learning, and more instances of students dropping out of educational institutions. Thus, the recreational use of drugs is a path to a destructive society because it allows individuals to condone behaviours that go against moral principles.
Recreational drug use harms individuals and society due to its economic implications. Individuals unable to concentrate in their job responsibilities risk losing their jobs and struggling to make ends meet. Additionally, people addicted to drugs prioritize getting high over all other responsibilities, which limits them from taking care of their families and living sustainable lifestyles(Walker 308). As a result, the recreational use of drugs champions unsustainable habits that drive individuals to poverty and depreciate their living standards. Moreover, the habit has far-reaching implications as it inhibits individuals’ productivity. Instead of focusing on development, people spend their time abusing drugs and wasting money (Acuff et al. 739). Thus, a society where people prefer recreational drugs experiences diminished advancements and more issues that obligate them to utilize funds for community programs and aid. However, these issues are avoidable by advising people to spend their time constructively rather than relying on drugs. Creating awareness of the implications of recreational drugs can encourage more people to refrain from the practice.
Opposition’s Arguments
Some argue that recreational drugs benefit individuals and society as they assist in alleviating stress from life pressures. Cold drinks after a long day’s work are refreshing and allow people to prepare for the next day’s challenges. Therefore, its supporters claim that forbidding drugs for recreational purposes enables individuals going through hardships or strain to relax and persevere (Blundell 148). Additionally, some individuals claim that recreational drugs serve the purpose of reducing the rates of drug trafficking and preventing individuals from accessing hard drugs by driving down demand(Güzel et al. 124). As a result, recreational drugs prevent drug lords and criminals from controlling the industry and reaping profits while citizens suffer. In addition, it prevents the youth and others in society from falling victim to the trap of drug trafficking and getting addicted to hard drugs. Hence, supporters of recreational drug use suggest that its inhibition will lead to the booming illicit drug business and increase societal risks. Regardless, these arguments are biased to support recreational drug use while they neglect critical issues.
Supporters of recreational drug use suggest that prohibiting their access is against democracy and human rights because people are free to do as they please. Therefore, preventing people from spending their free time as they wish can introduce atrocities in society. Governments might take advantage of the lack of activism to impose unreasonable restrictions on their citizens (Walker 308). Thus, people should moderate their intake of these drugs and avoid misusing them as they have control. Moreover, supporters of using drugs for luxurious purposes propose that the business generates government revenue channelled to other areas of social development. In addition, the use of legal recreational drugs gives the government more control over their safety and quality. As a result, imposing a ban on recreational drugs prevent standardization authorities from assuring the well-being of the people as suppliers will use underground methods to manufacture and distribute these drugs.
Counterarguments
Recreation opportunities provide individuals valuable time to enjoy themselves and share memorable experiences. However, drugs and alcohol must not accompany these activities as there are several other fun things to do with free time. Instead of abusing drugs and alcohol, it is advisable to engage in hobbies such as sports (Blundell 147). Neglecting the adversities of recreational drug use prevents adults from setting an excellent example that their children and the youth can emulate(Mooney-Leber et al. 499). Thus, shifting societal focus to the value of future generations can allow individuals to make better decisions about what to do with their free time. With time, more people will disregard these habits and develop a constructive culture that leads the youth on the right path.
The government is responsible for ensuring individuals’ well-being. Therefore, they must intervene when society is exposed to critical factors such as drug and substance use (Walker 310). Hence, instead of condoning immoral behaviours to observe freedom and human rights, it is advisable to establish more strict measures against habits such as binge drinking or set curfews to ensure that people do not waste most of their time abusing drugs for recreational purposes(Blundell 148). In addition, the government should diversify its revenue resources in areas such as agriculture and industries to limit its dependence on revenue from tax and drug sales.
Conclusion
Drug and substance abuse is one of the most destructive societal problems because it prevents individuals from focusing on personal and community development. Instead, drugs make people non-responsive to others in their immediate environment and encourage them to engage in immoral behaviours. Although most individuals are familiar with the negative implications of drug and alcohol abuse, some hold that drugs used for recreational purposes are safe because users can control their intake and limit adverse implications. In addition, its supporters proclaim that limiting people from accessing recreational drugs will give criminals more power, reduce government revenue obtained through taxing the industry, and infringe on human rights. Nevertheless, the onset of drug addiction is slow and unnoticeable. Moreover, individuals may overindulge in drug use regardless of whether their habits are intended for recreational purposes. Similarly, the government can adopt various solutions to restrict drug trafficking while keeping people safe from the harmful effects of drugs. Thus, it is advisable to advocate for limited access to drugs and substances to assist individuals in avoiding adverse implications like addiction, and health, social, and economic problems that lead to crime.
Works Cited
Acuff, Samuel F., Jalie A. Tucker, and James G. Murphy. “Behavioral economics of
substance use: Understanding and reducing harmful use during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology 29.6 2021: 739. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/pha0000431
Blundell, M. S., P. I. Dargan, and D. M. Wood. “The dark cloud of recreational drugs and
vaping.” QJM: An International Journal of Medicine 111.3 2018: 145–148. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcx049
Güzel, Pınar, et al. “Know-how” to spend time in home isolation during COVID-19;
restrictions and recreational activities.” International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies 7.2 2020: 122–131. https://doi.org/10.17220/ijpes.2020.02.011
Mooney-Leber, Sean M., and Thomas J. Gould. “The long-term cognitive consequences of
adolescent exposure to recreational drugs of abuse.” Learning & memory 25.9 2018: 481–491. http://www.learnmem.org/cgi/doi/10.1101/lm.046672.117
Sewell, Janey, et al. “Changes in recreational drug use, drug use associated with chemsex,
and HIV-related behaviours, among HIV-negative men who have sex with men in London and Brighton, 2013–2016.” Sexually Transmitted Infections 94.7 2018: 494–501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2017-053439
Walker, Ingrid. “Pleasure and the New Normal of Recreational Cannabis in the United
States.” The Routledge Handbook of Post-Prohibition Cannabis Research.Routledge, 2021.306–313.
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