The Impact of Drugs in Society

Drug and substance abuse and addiction have a severe impact and affect not only the individual but those closest to them and society as a whole. In the United States alone, substance addictions cost the government over 200 billion USD each year. These costs can be attributed to crime, disease, accidents, domestic violence, abuse, job loss, and homelessness. It is said that substance use causes one in four deaths and results in numerous economic and social consequences.

A substance addiction deteriorates an individual’s physical and mental well-being. Many times, an individual will lose their job and their family, resulting in them having to seek support from society.

How Does Drug and Substance Abuse Affect Society?

We’ll outline some of the ways that drugs and other substances, like alcohol, can negatively impact family, friends, loved ones and society in general, and how it can deplete social and financial resources in a community.

Society Impact 1: Loss of Family

Families of those caught in the downward spiral of addiction suffer many difficulties. Often, they are subjected to domestic violence, abuse, and financial struggles. Children in these types of environments are at risk of being removed from their homes and placed into state custody. In the US, the cost of putting children into state custody is approximately 1 billion USD each year. Being brought up in these types of environments can also cause ongoing problems. The children’s education may suffer, making them less likely to find meaningful employment as adults. They are also more likely to develop a drug or substance problem themselves and have problems contributing to society later in life.

Society Impact 2: Over-crowded Institutions

Public health systems are extremely overworked. In 2008, 15% of all patients admitted to hospitals had a substance addiction. Nearly 25% of money spent by Medicare in the US is on inpatient treatment that is directly related to substance addiction. A pre-existing substance abuse problem in admitted patients has altered the way patients are cared for and increased private healthcare and Medicare costs. The problem is so prevalent that there have been studies done and papers written on how to care for patients admitted to a hospital with a substance abuse problem.

Around 80% of prisoners incarcerated since 1985 are there because of a drug-related offence. This is causing the prisons in the United States to be overpopulated. Inside prison, 70% of inmates are involved in regular substance abuse.

Society Impact 3: Crime

A large percentage of crime can be attributed to substance addictions. This is because many addicts are trying to obtain money to purchase their substance of choice. When a purchase goes wrong, they need more money, and violence typically occurs during these situations. A significant number of individuals arrested for a serious crime, such as murder, robbery, and assault, were under the influence of an addictive and usually illegal substance. Society then must pick up the cost of law enforcement, court, and incarceration.

Society Impact 4: Public Welfare

Drug use and abuse also affect society because of the way the justice system operates. Many substance offenders are on probation or parole. Incarceration and parole are only partially successful at encouraging people to seek help for their substance abuse problems. Drugs can often be found in prison, so incarceration alone isn’t an effective deterrent. People with substance abuse problems may also continue their abusive habits upon their release with the added urgency of feeding an addiction. This urgency can lead to more crimes, and the cycle of incarceration continues. More positive results are often found in a specialised justice programme, social work, or vocational rehabilitation. These are all necessary to re-integrate individuals back into society; however, unless private, all of these drug and substance programmes are funded by society.

Society Impact 5: Public Impairment

Those in occupations that rely on alertness and maintaining a high level of performance for an extended period are particularly susceptible to substance abuse. Workers may rely on substances to boost their performance. There have been several accidents causing injuries and fatalities that were the fault of a driver who was under the influence at the time of the incident. Many doctors working long hours who are accused of malpractice have also been found to have a substance addiction.

Social Impact 6: Environment

The environmental impact of substances is mainly the result of outdoor marijuana cultivation and methamphetamine production. The chemicals that are used to produce meth are flammable and hazardous. Many times, these chemicals are stored improperly, causing fire and explosions at labs. As drug labs can be located in populated neighbourhoods, the flammable and explosive nature of these labs is particularly dangerous to society.

The process used to make meth creates between 5 and 7 pounds of waste per pound of meth; this waste is typically discarded into streams, forests, and sewers. It costs approximately $3,500-5,000 USD to clean up one meth lab or dumpsite. In 2009, 232 sites were cleaned up in California alone.

Outdoor marijuana cultivation, especially on public land, is another environmental impact that is causing concern. Cultivators often dam streams and redirect the water through plastic, gravity-fed irrigation systems in order to water the plants. Because there is a high demand for this water, streams become strained, and the natural vegetation that is dependent upon the water dries up, causing additional erosion damage and other problems. More dumpsites are being discovered with highly toxic insecticides, repellants, and poisons produced in Mexico. These products, usually illegal in the US, are smuggled in through Mexico because they are cheaper. They are contaminating the groundwater and watersheds, as well as killing local wildlife. Over time, these dangerous products can enter the public drinking supply.

Drugs Impact All Societies

While these statistics are from the United States, it is safe to assume that countries throughout the world have similar problems in their societies due to drug use and substance addictions.

Education Can and Will Help

While it is too late to take these illegal drugs and substances completely out of society, responsible individuals can take the time to educate themselves and others about harmful, addictive substances. Education on the impacts that these substances have on the addict and society as a whole should be taught and understood.

At our drug and alcohol treatment centre in Northern Thailand, we discuss the negative impact on society of drug and substance issues as part of our programme. If you or a loved one has a substance abuse problem and would like to seek qualified treatment, please contact The Cabin Chiang Mai.