Agony+to+Ecstasy

Name: Hayley Raso Student Number: n8861358 Unit Coordinator: Julie-Anne Carroll Tutor: Jey Rodgers

** ‘THE DRUGS DON’T WORK, THEY JUST MAKE IT WORSE…’ ** ** AGONY TO ECSTASY **

CULTURAL ARTEFACT This symbolic photographic found in our social and cultural world, depicts the topic ‘drugs’. This item clearly demonstrates a mix of tablets resting in the palm of an individual’s hand. The background and hand in the photograph are black and white, whilst the tablets are represented in different colours, which draws the viewer’s attention to this being the focal point of the item. Each tablet is a different size, shape and colour, with a variety of words (perfection, peace, truth, love, beauty, dreams, hope, sanity, joy and relief) written across each tablet. The main interpretation of the photograph is the idea that if a specific aspect of a person’s life (such as the words represented in the image) is personally viewed as negative, than the individual will turn to drugs in order to fulfil their desires or change the negative aspects in their lives. PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE Individuals in society use different kinds of drugs to change the way they feel or view certain aspects of their lives or the outside world. The Public Health Association of Australia’s drug policy states that the use and abuse of illicit drugs in Australia is a social, legal and health issue that creates an annual illegal market estimated to be worth 6.7 billion dollars (Public Health Association Australia, 2010). Illicit drug use accounted for 2% of Australia’s total disease burden with drug related problems playing a significant role in disparities in health and life expectancy of individuals (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). LITERATURE REVIEW The online dictionary defines an illicit drugs as one that is not legally permitted or authorised, it is unlicensed, unlawful, disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons (Dictionary, 2013). The 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey reports that 10.3% of the Australian population use cannabis, 4.2% use pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes, 2.1% use cocaine and 1.4% use hallucinogens (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). The most common age for drug use is between 18-29 years with males being far more likely to use drugs, with the exception of pharmaceuticals which is the same for both men and women (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). The cost to the Australian society of illicit drug misuse is estimated at $8.2 billion per year. This includes costs to the health and hospital system, lost work place productivity, road accidents and crime (Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy, 2011). Illicit drug use accounted for 2% of Australia’s total disease burden, mostly attributed to hepatitis C which is contracted by unsafe injecting practises (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). The impacts and outcomes of illicit drug use includes premature death, mental health disorders, transmission of HIV/AIDS and other blood borne diseases (Queensland Government, 2013). The Public Health Association of Australia's drug policy states that the use and abuse of illicit drugs in Australia is a social, legal and health issue that creates an annual illegal market estimated to be worth $6.7 billion (Public Health Association Australia, 2010). These alarming statistics prove the problem of drug misuse, abuse and addiction to be a confronting and important issue relating to public health. The frequent and increasing use of drugs by individuals has proved to be evidence enough to address this issue as a need for concern. When individuals look at the prevalence and cost of drug abuse in the community, it cannot be questioned that further research into minimisation, prevention and treatment are required. A major type of theory for drug use is the challenge to explain why people use and abuse drugs. There are two necessary preconditions for drug use that researchers and theorists are discussing – these are the availability of the substances and the predisposition and motive to use drugs (Goode, 2012). If specific drugs are not available in a particular location, whether there is a predisposition to use or not, drug use is not possible (Goode, 2012). Similarly, if there is a lack of predisposition to use, drug abuse will not take place. Each of these ideas is an essential and necessary condition for use, with the factors involved with each concept the main focus as to why drug use seems desirable or enticing to help solve problems or issues that individuals are facing in their lives. This abnormal, deviant and unconventional behaviour favours an explanation associated with psychological, social and biological characteristics of the individual drug users (Goode, 2012). Biological theories are those that focus on particular physical mechanisms in individuals that influence and compel them to use drugs, experiment with drugs or to continue using or abusing drugs once they have been exposed to them (Goode, 2012). This theory places an emphasis on non-normative drug use and addiction, with two distinct concepts (genetic theory and metabolic imbalance) explaining the theory (Goode, 2012). The genetic theory reinforces the idea that the genetic makeup of an individual predisposes them toward drug misuse, with a gene or combination of genes affecting the particular biological mechanism related to substance abuse (Goode, 2012). Another theory, metabolic imbalance, localises the cause of one type of drug misuse (narcotic addiction). With this concept, it is argued that once an individual with a metabolic imbalance begins using drugs, a psychological process takes effect, causing their bodies to crave narcotics and increase the likelihood of them becoming drug addicts (Goode, 2012). The psychological theory emphasises three concepts – positive and negative reinforcement, inadequate personality and problem-behaviour proneness (Goode, 2012). Positive reinforcement occurs when an individual is motivated to repeat a certain behaviour due to the pleasurable sensation it caused. Negative reinforcement occurs when an individual feels rewarded and motivated by doing something that seeks relief or avoids pain. The inadequate personality concept depends on the idea of a psychological defect, pathology or inadequacy. These individuals use drugs as a means to escape from reality in order to avoid life’s problems and to make them feel satisfied, pleasured and overjoyed (Goode, 2012). Problem-behaviour proneness offers a different perspective on drug use, one in which individuals display specific personalities or behaviours. These individuals are more likely to have strayed away from society’s mainstream behaviours and values, whilst also being seen to stray in other aspects and dimensions. This idea demonstrates a rebellious nature, proving them more likely to abuse drugs and other substances. The sociological theory creates a perspective around substance abuse in which there is a great emphasis on understanding the individual within a group environment (O'Keel, 2012). This theory explains drug abuse as a societal phenomenon, having essentially large social, cultural and economic concepts (Miller, 2000). These ideas are often caused by external factors to the individual and are not physiological, biological or genetic traits (Miller, 2000). This theory accentuates the idea that individuals are strongly influenced by their social groups and that these people socialise what they want, need and expect based on these societal norms. CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS Taking drugs and the misuse and abuse of these substances is interpreted, understood and considered differently among different individuals due to their personal circumstances, cultural beliefs and social environments. Drug misuse is depicted as a way of expressing one’s self, feelings, experiences, attitudes, beliefs and the situations and encounters that they are facing in regards to their individual, social, cultural and environmental surroundings. There are links between the behaviours, values, ideologies and history of each culture and an individual’s social group in regards to the use and abuse of specific drugs and illegal substances. The 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey found that the highest prevalence of recent illegal drug use was reported to be by unemployed people whilst some culturally and linguistically diverse populations (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex populations may have, or are at greater risk of drug use and may also experience more difficulty in accessing drug treatment and achieving successful outcomes (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). There is also strong evidence of an association between social determinants such as unemployment, homelessness, poverty, family breakdown and drug use (Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy, 2011). Children living in households where parents misuse drugs are more likely to develop behavioural and emotional problems, perform more poorly at school and be victims of maltreatment. Children are also more likely to become drug users if their parents use, leading to intergenerational patterns of misuse and harm. Disadvantaged populations are at greater risk of harm from drug use. Drug related problems play a significant role in disparities in health and life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Illicit drugs not only have dangerous health impacts, they also are a significant contributor to crime. They contribute to road accidents, violent incidents, family breakdown and social dysfunction. There were more than 85,000 arrests in 2009-10 for illicit drug offences. The National Drug Strategy is a co-operative venture between Australian, State and Territory governments and the non-government sector aimed at improving health, social and economic outcomes for Australians by preventing the use and reducing the harmful effects of illicit drugs in our society. It seeks to build a multi-faceted approach encompassing 3 equally important pillars – demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction, to play a critical role in Australia's success in addressing drug use. Strategies that have been introduced include early intervention, diversional programmes, detoxification and pharmacological and psychosocial treatment approaches. As evidence has shown that people may be more vulnerable to experimenting with illicit drugs at transition points in their lives such as moving from school to work, most anti-drug and social marketing is targeted toward youth aged between 15-21 years. The National Drugs Campaign targets youth and their parents and specifically aims at reducing young Australians motivation to start using illicit drugs by increasing their knowledge about the negative consequences of drug use. Specifically targeting this age group is done with the aim of influencing and educating young people in their formative years to attempt to stop experimentation and ultimately, the cycle of drug use. 60% of young people reported that they had taken action after seeing an anti-drug campaign. This targeted approach has been effective in significantly reducing the use of marijuana in adolescence, and seems to be more effective in other demographic groups, than a universal approach. As evident, drug abuse is not a natural obsession, it comes as a result of one’s emotional state, personal circumstances, feelings, experiences, behaviours, cultural attitudes and social influences. Drugs can affect individuals in many different ways, whilst also affecting their health and social well-being. Drug users need to be aware of the consequences and risks so they can make informed and appropriate decisions, whilst also overcoming their personal, social and cultural problems that have ultimately lead them to experiment or begin abusing drugs and other dangerous substances. ANALYSIS AND LEARNING REFLECTION This cultural artefact demonstrates and reinforces the topic of drugs and the health and cultural concepts about experimentation, misuse, abuse and addiction with these dangerous substances. This image represents the idea that individuals will consume and experiment with drugs as a way of escaping the troubles or negative aspects that they may be experiencing in their lives. In doing so, the user believes that they will experience the feelings expressed on each tablet, therefore using these dangerous and addictive substances as a means of escaping reality, negativity and their everyday lives. Along with these individual circumstances, drug abusers may also be influenced by their social and cultural environments, with all of these determinants affecting the individual and their overall health outcomes. Through the analysis of this image I have discovered many important issues relating to drug use as well as increasing my understanding of how a large number of Australian individuals experiment with or misuse drugs and other dangerous substances. The alarming statistics noted in the research is evidence enough to prove that this is an issue needing concern and ongoing implementation plans in order to reduce the number of drug abusers. Drug use is a major issue in Australian society, so it is extremely important to understand the dangers and impacts involved as well as understanding the personal, social and cultural influences that drug abuse has on an individual’s overall health and welfare. BIBLIOGRAPHY Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Report. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737421314 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). Drugs in Australia 2010: Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737420455

Dictionary. (2013). Illicit. Retrieved from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/illicit

Goode, E. (2012). Theories of Drug Use. In Drugs in American Society (pp. 58-88). Hill-McGraw.

Miller. (2000). Sociological Theories of Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.udel.edu/soc/tammya/pdf/crju369_theory.pdf

Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy. (2011). National Drug Strategy: 2010-2015. Retrieved from http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/DB4076D49F13309FCA257854007BAF30/$File/nds2015.pdf

O'Keel, R. (2012). Theories of Drug Use. Retrieved from http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/180/theordrg.html

Public Health Association Australia. (2010). Illicit Drug Problems Policy. Retrieved from http://www.phaa.net.au/documents/AttachmentDIllicitDrugsProblemsPolicy.pdf

Queensland Government. (2013). Illicit Drugs. Retrieved from Queensland Health: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/atod/drug_info/illicit_drugs.asp

LEARNING ENGAGEMENT & REFLECTION

http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/page/messages/The+Price+of+Love

http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/page/messages/Just+A+Leisurely+High