Running Head: DRUGS, A COMMUNITY PROBLEM

Drugs, A Community Problem

Erick Perchez

University of Texas at El Paso

RWS 1301

Professor Saul Hernandez

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Drugs, A Community Problem

Drugs have been a controversial topic since the late 20th century when they started to be

greatly used for recreational reasons. With that, synthetic drugs such as heroin and

methamphetamine have grown in popularity, especially in smaller towns and communities. In

New Mexico there is a small town just north of its capital, Santa Fe, called Espanola. Their

population is just a fraction of the population of the capital, which would make you think that its

a quiet town. That is not so, in contribution to the state of New Mexico, the overdose death

rate during 2016 at 24.8 deaths per 1,000 residents (Lee, 2017). Hard drugs, like those

previously stated, have become an epidemic, affecting lives left and right in both mental and

physical aspects. This is what we need to prevent.

The effects of drugs on the brain are much more than just a high. Most drugs affect and

stimulate the DAs, dopamine receptors. dopamine is involved in the control of locomotion,

cognition, affect and neuroendocrine secretion.(Jaber et al, n.d.) The effects of

methamphetamine and heroin acts on the vesicles of neurons that contain DA acts like

dopamine neurotransmitter This causes excessive DA in the synapse that binds repeatedly to

the DA receptors some of the DA receptors stop functioning or die out.(Brier, Dahlberg,

2007) All of the data presented in the article Modeling the effects of drugs on the brain, shows
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how drugs affect the brain in a negative way. The fact that there are negative neurological effects

go to show that drugs can also lead to behavioral problems.

According to the article Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction, there are

multiple reasons why people take drugs. Mostly, people take them to feel good or to feel better.

The euphoria caused by opiates such as heroin is followed by feelings of relaxation and

satisfaction Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress-related disorders, and

depression begin abusing drugs in an attempt to lessen feelings of distress. (Drugs, Brains, and

Behavior: The Science of Addiction, 2014). In addition to this, there is a question people ask that

usually falls on morality; what is the problem if drugs make people happy? In the same article,

the author states that the problem is that a person will soon get used to the high and will begin to

feel normal. This will result to the urge of acquiring whichever drug they use even if it affects

their loved ones. The influence of the home environment, especially during childhood, is a very

important factor. (Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction, 2014). This suggests

that by giving children an insight to drug abuse at home, it would risk them acquiring a drug

problem as well.

Surveys were done in New Mexico that asked youths if they used or had used any drugs.

[New Mexico] ranked second highest for cocaine and Ecstasy use, Fifth highest for

methamphetamine and eighth highest for heroin.(Uyttebrouck, 2016). According to the same
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article, it states that officials were not surprised by the findings. The history of drugs have

become a part of New Mexico, making it easier to find drugs. This comes to show that the

history of drug abuse in New Mexico has allowed youths to become addicts and abuse drugs

themselves. The history of drugs that has been engrained in New Mexicos social behavior is like

an addicted parent. The fact that there is a history there allows their child (newer generations) to

acquire and abuse drugs and opioids. Advocates for addicts point to an abundance of illegal

drugs in New Mexico, and a shortage of addiction treatment options.(Uyttebrouck, 2016) In my

opinion, the reason there is a higher rate of young addicts is because there is not any education

on drugs and their danger in public schools, or at least in Santa Fe where I was born and raised.

According to the article, Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, there is this

comprehensive chart called the Continuum of Care. It contains four steps for prevention and

treatment of both drug abuse and mental illnesses. The four steps are promotion, prevention,

treatment, and recovery. Promotion states These strategies are designed to create environments

and conditions that support behavioral health and the ability of individuals to withstand

challenges.(Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, 2017). Prevention deals with

interventions to reduce behavioral health problems. According to this article, behavioral health

problems are underage alcohol use, prescription drug misuse and abuse, and illicit drug use

(Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, 2017). Treatment has subgroups under it,
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case identification and standard treatment for known disorders. It states these services are for

people diagnosed with a substance use or other behavioral health disorder(Prevention of

Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, 2017). The last step is recovery, or as others call it, rehab.

According to all of the evidence presented, the best way to prevent addiction and underaged

substance abuse is to provide the proper education and the proper care when addiction is in

effect.

New Mexico is a state that is plagued with drugs and the horrible side effects that drugs

can cause. If we can provide the education so the people can know what exactly is affecting them

and the resources necessary for the people to fight it. Sooner can the Land of Enchantment be

disconnected from drugs and the people live safe and sound.
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Reference

A.(2017, September 20). Prevention of substance Abuse and Mental Illness. Retrieved

November 12, 2017, from https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention

Brier, G., & Dahlberg, L. (2007). Modeling the effects of drugs on the brain. Science

Scope, 31(3), 58-63. Retrieved from http://0-www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/stable/43182297

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/preface

Jaber, M., Robinson, S. W., Missale, C., & Caron, M. G. (n.d.). Dopamine receptors and brain

function. Retrieved November 12, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9025098

Types of Commonly Misused or Abused Drugs. (2015, October 27). Retrieved from

https://www.samhsa.gov/prescription-drug-misuse-abuse/types

Understanding Drug Use and Addiction. (2016, August). Retrieved from

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction

Uyttebrouck, O. (2016, August 6). New Mexico teens' drug use among highest in nation.

Retrieved October 27, 2017, from https://www.abqjournal.com/821348/nm-youth-drug-use-

rates-among-tops-in-us.html
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Lee, M.(2017, July 12). Drug Overdose Deaths up Slightly in New Mexico. Retrieved October

27, 2017, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-mexico/articles/2017-07-12/drug-

overdose-deaths-increase-slightly-in-new-mexico