Dangerous+Drugs...

=Kaitlyn Lange: n8320004= =Cultural Artefact Wiki= =Assignment 2= =Tutor: Michelle Newcomb=

Comment 1:
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Comment 2:
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**Artefact**
====This cultural artefact represents the public health issue of illicit drugs. The comic above portrays stereotypical stigmas about illegal drugs verses legal drugs. The top picture shows a scientist running in panic towards a boy smoking cannabis, the scientists says “Keep away from that! That’s a dangerous drug!” The bottom picture then shows the scientist offering an abundance and wide variety of prescription drugs to the boy with a cheerful smile. The artefact clearly states that natural drugs, such as cannabis, are ‘dangerous’ and shouldn’t be available to the public, but prescription drugs such as antidepressants, anti-inflammatory, antipsychotic and mood balancing medications are safe, innocent alternatives. Is this a true depiction of drugs?====

**Public Health Issue**
====The public health issue being addressed is society’s addiction to drugs, specifically the non-medical use and misuse of prescription drugs. There are many angles to address when talking about the addiction of prescription drugs. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are, after marijuana and alcohol, the most commonly abused substances by Americans 14 and older (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011). Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids for pain, central nervous system (CNS) depressants for anxiety and sleep disorders, and stimulants for ADHD and narcolepsy (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011). Clearly with those figures and facts known, this is a serious issue within international public health systems, not just Australia. This leads to one simple question, how is the public getting the medically prescribed drugs for non-medical use?====

**Literature Review**
====The infatuation and curiosity with illicit drugs is an evolving trend in our current culture. Today’s statistics state that 21.3% of Australians, 18 years and older, have tried a form of illicit drug in their lifetime (Australian Government, 2011). Addiction is a horrible compulsion that takes over people’s lives, turning them into epitomes of dependence (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011). Prescription drugs are advised to only be used under the guidance of a medical professional, but statistics show that people are clearly not following this advice. The rates of prescription drug abuse are rising within Australia and it has become a forefront issue of Australian health. A prescribed drug is a synthetic drug; meaning it’s designed and made in a lab. They are licit drugs; which is purely based on the fact that they are concocted in a safe laboratory by professionals and are diagnosed and approved by a qualified health professional (Therapeutic Goods administration Australia, 2013). These agents are safe therapeutic medications when used within medical directions and guidelines. The use of prescribed drugs can potentially develop into abuse when the following variables are manipulated; dosage, route of administration, co-administration with other drugs, context of use and the user’s expectations (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011).====

====The use of pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes is rising. This can be seen in the Australian drug statistic series conducted in 2010, a government report focusing on Australian drug use patterns and trends over a lifetime period. Research found that 3.2% of 14-17 year olds and 10.3% of 20-29 year olds had used pharmaceuticals for non-medical use in their lifetime (Australian Government, 2011). The frequency of use is a reliable determinant of addiction; astonishingly, it was found that 27.6% of Australians will use a pharmaceutical drug for non-medical use daily or weekly (Australian Government, 2011). The principle classes of prescription drugs that are misused in Australia are opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines (Australian Crime Commission, 2012). Opioids are therapeutically used for pain relief. They act on three opiate receptors of the brain, which are responsible for both desirable and undesirable effects including profound analgesia, mood changes, physical dependence, tolerance and a hedonic effect. All for which may lead to compulsive drug use (Australian Crime Commission, 2012). Benzodiazepines depress the CNS and are primarily used in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs (Australian Crime Commission, 2012). A growing concern in relation to the illicit use of pharmaceuticals is the methods of obtaining the drugs. The use of these drugs becomes illicit based on its means of access. Many people steal the medications from pharmacies, the general public and GP clinics. Others purchase them from the internet or from dealers who doctor-shop (visit an abundance of GP’s and pharmacies to gather a large collection for private sales) (Public Health Association Australia, 2010).====

====A readily emerging trend seen amongst all levels of education is the misuse of prescribed psycho-stimulant medications. Adolescents and young adults are purchasing drugs such as methylphenidate, Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine from fellow students with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) (Wilens. et al, 2008). Recent studies state that, 9% of primary to high school aged children and 35% of college aged individuals have used non-prescribed stimulant drugs (Kaloyanides. et al, 2007 & McCabe. et al, 2004). The studies also state that 29% of diagnosed ADHD students have been approached to give, sell or trade their medications to other students (Wilens. et al, 2008). Kaloyanides examined undergraduate students directly and discovered that the most prominent reason for the misuse of these stimulants was to “concentrate and improve alertness” when studying (Kaloyanides. et al, 2007). Others wanted to experience a ‘high’ or simply wanted to experiment and feel the side effects of an unknown drug (Kaloyanides. et al, 2007). The findings from these studies are providing the health and law systems with valuable and insightful information. However, it evident that there are many limitations to these studies. Specific details such as age, ethnicity, socioeconomic and geographic statuses must be incorporated into statistic reports on adolescent and young adult pharmaceutical misuse. In future research, these details will help show that societal factors are powerful determinants of health in relation to drug addiction.====

**Cultural and Social Analysis**
====The analysis of society and its culture is a vital consideration when understanding and redressing the abuse of non-medical prescription drugs. There are many groups within society who are affected by this health issue. One focus group who has been previously mentioned is students. Some of these abusers are still children; they need to be educated about the life threatening risks of consuming non-prescribed mediations as well as the dangerous path of potential drug abuse they are walking down. Another main focus group is current drug abusers who use pharmaceutical drugs to ‘balance’ their come downs from other psycho-stimulants such as cocaine and speed.====

====The social stigma associated with drug abuse is linked to low socioeconomic statuses, low incomes and poverty stricken lifestyles. This stereotype is a universal label that links with Bourdieu’s theory of social capital (Carol, 2013). Social capital is a concept that states that those belonging to a specific social class engage in behaviors, rituals and practices that keep other classes out of their ‘culture’ (Carol, 2013). For example, the wealthy attend the theater, spend Sunday afternoons in boats on the water and dine at awarded restaurants. Those who live in housing commission, eat fast food and can’t afford to socialise are restrained from the wealthy culture (Carol, 2013). It’s important to understand these social trends in order to break a pattern of drug abuse. The characteristics of a stereotypical drug addict can also be represented by statistic data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2013). This source is a research based analysis that shows the correlations between drug usage and the aforementioned determinants of health. These statistics and determinants are vital to understand when redressing the abuse of non-medical prescription drugs.====

====The non-medical use of prescription medications needs more awareness and promotion. Our society has created specific images around the use and misuse of different types of drugs. Unfortunately, it’s seen that our culture doesn’t acknowledge or judge the use of prescription drugs with equality, in comparison to other illicit drugs. School aged children are taught about cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and meth, but why not Ritalin or Adderall? The kids abusing these drugs believe that they are using them for a greater good; to be better students. Awareness of this public health issue needs to start at a school aged level before the children are provided the chance to use. Another step to fixing the health issue is the establishment of stricter, more precise pharmacy data bases. These laws and/or guidelines should be implemented to reduce the number of private sales and doctor-shopping.====

**Analysis of Artefact and Personal Reflection**
====My chosen artefact could start political debates about many public health issues troubling today’s society. Although, I think the underlining message being portrayed is that our society accepts the overuse of prescription drugs. People may think that doctors over prescribe medications or lure people into believing medication is the answer but this isn’t the problem we should be addressing. These are simply mere, sub issues around the overpowering abuse of the drugs once only used as therapeutic agents. It astonishes me the number of secondary students being taught at such a young age to use mystical means to excel in their studies; these children are clearly under too much pressure to perform if they are turning to drugs to concentrate. The Australian education and health system must work together to control this epidemic; if being a genius means being a drug addict, we as a nation need to get our priorities straight. This brings us back to the original question, is this artefact a true depiction of drugs? With the knowledge I’ve gained through evidence based research, theories and various studies, I think the answer is yes. Society, as a whole, has been taught, in today’s culture, that a natural drug such as marijuana is completely and undeniably more dangerous than drugs being labels as ‘prescribed’. Whether this is because marijuana is labelled as illegal or educators and majority of studies only address its negative side effects, I’m unsure, that answer, I believe, is in the eye of the beholder. So with all that said, I leave you with the question, what makes a drug dangerous?====

**Reference List**

====Australian Crime Commission. (2012). Illicit Drug Data Report [EBL version]. Retrieved from []====

====Health Science [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved from []====

====Kaloyanides, K., McCabe, S., Cranford, J, & Teler, C. (2007). Prevalence of illicit use and abuse of prescription stimulants, alcohol and other drugs among college students: relationship with age at initiation of prescription stimulants. The Journal of Pharmacotherapy, 27(5), 666-674. doi: 10.1592/phco.27.5.666====

====McCabe, S., Teler, C, & Boyd. C. (2004). The use, misuse and diversion of prescription stimulants among middle and high school students. Substance use & misuse, 39(7), 1095-1116. doi: 10.1081/JA-120038031====

====National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2011). Research Report Series: prescription drugs: abuse and addiction. [EBL version]. Retrieved from []====

====Wilens, T., Alder, L., Adams, J, & Sgambati, S. (2008). Misuse & diversion of stimulants prescribed for ADHD: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(1), 21-31. Retrieved from [|https://www-clinicalkey-com-au.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/#!/ContentPlayerCtrl/doPlayContent/1-s2.0-S0890856709620815]====