I+TOOK+DRUGS+EVERYDAY

"I TOOK DRUGS EVERY DAY" "I'D RATHER BE A DRUG ADDICT"

Eva Carless n8861790



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“I TOOK DRUGS EVERY DAY”, Russell Brand’s recent BBC documentary depicts the life of a drug addict. The documentary not only gives an insight into Brand’s story of tribulation and triumph, but also the struggles and barriers that society associates with drug use and addicts. Delving deep, the documentary sheds light on the vicious cycle of drug abuse, in coralation with corectional facilities. The theory that by criminalisng and marginalising drug users, society is placing a career in the hands of criminals. Not only that, but by shaming drug users, society is not only making it difficult to seek treatment, but are also punishing those with a disease, the disease of addiction. Brand challenges the current stance that society has leaving the view of the drug epidemic in the way of a health concern and not just a criminal issue.
 * ARTEFACT **

Depicting the life of a drug addict, Brand's documentary reveals the common journey that an illict drug user finds themself following. A journey filled with pain and agony, and that is usually fueled with the stigma and the judgment of society. The journey is often dark and lonley, seeming to never end, but to leave one spining in and out of prison. One often looses not only their identity, but also their health, family and friends. Health is a forever dynamicly changing scale, that can never be defined, but redefined. The ramification that society leaves through attitudes, is often the imposing factor for a health issue, and drug abuse and addiction is a seemingly complex issue that falls inbetween these lines. The need to not just lock them away and throw away the key, but to treat addiction in a compassionate and empathetic way is the solution.
 * PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE CENTRAL TO ANALYSIS **

Illicit drug use’ describes the use of illegal drugs, volatile substances and the use ofprescription drugs for non-medical purposes (AIHW, 2012, 74). Drug use has long been associated with prison and criminals. This is due to not only the laws of society, but the attitudes portrayed. By all means society should understand that illicit drug use has many negative impacts on one’s health including physical, mental and emotional. Therefore drugs should been seen as a health risk behavior. Therefore the argument presented is that prison doesn’t cure the disease of addiction. Many prisoners who used drugs before prison continue to do so during their imprisonment. While some might stop using drugs altogether, others might start (AIHW, 2012, 79). According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, seven out of 10 (70%) prison entrants reported using illicitdrugs in the 12 months prior to prison entry. It was found that male entrants were more likely to have used illicit drugs than females in the 12 months prior to prison (71% and 61%, respectively), (Table 1), (2013, p1). **Table 1: Prison entrants, illicit drug use in last 12 months by sex, age group and Indigenous status, 2012** []
 * LITERATURE REVIEW **
 * || **Numbers** || **Per cent** ||
 * **Sex** ||  ||   ||
 * Male || 504 || 71 ||
 * Female || 49 || 6 ||
 * **Age group** ||  ||   ||
 * 18-24 years || 167 || 73 ||
 * 25-34 years || 198 || 72 ||
 * 35-44 years || 145 || 74 ||
 * 45+ years || 37 || 44 ||
 * **Indigenous status** ||  ||   ||
 * Indigenous || 183 || 67 ||
 * Non-Indigenous || 353 || 71 ||
 * **Total** || 553 || 70 ||

Research shows that prison doesn’t help or cure ones addiction. Prison offers the ideal setting for treatment, as maximum compliance and security is what is needed for rehabilitation. Where it goes wrong, is the culture that is bestowed through prison and prisoners, along with the outside views of society. The health impacts are more severe and greatly increased whilst using in prison. Not only does drug use impact on physical health, but it also impacts, all aspects of health and wellness (emotional, intellectual, occupational, spiritual and social). Health professionals have devised a multi-dimensional module of health that includes all the aspects of health and wellness. With drug use having such a significant influence on ones health, the individual is often affected over all six areas. Mixing these health issues of addiction with the environment of prison is like trying to put a fire out with fuel, which is not only devastating to the persons involved, but also the wider community.

The ramifications that drug use in prison has on the health of individuals are greatly increased. Needle sharing, and un-hygienic practices are consistent through correctional facilities, with prison being known as a playground for communicable and chronic disease. The term communicable disease, or infectious disease, refers to an illness, fever or rash due to harmful organisms or their toxic products. Their distinctive feature is the ability to spread from human to human by air, food, water, objects or insects, or by direct contact with an infected person. Examples of communicable diseases include acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), bacterial infection, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, malaria, meningitis and meningococcal infections, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), viral infections and vaccine-preventable diseases such as chickenpox and influenza (AIHW, 2012, p52).

The practice of illicit drugs within correctional facilities leads to an increase in the prevalence of chronic conditions for entrants and current serving inmates. A chronic condition is described as an ongoing impairment that can be a physical or mental condition with functional limitation and service use or need beyond routine care. Chronic diseases contribute significantly to the burden of illness and injury in Australia. Overall, around one-third (32%) of all entrants reported that they had ever been diagnosed with one of the following chronic conditions—asthma, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer. All of which are included in the Australian Government’s National Health Priority Areas. Almost one-quarter (24%) reported asthma, 7% reported arthritis and 5% reported CVD (AIHW, 2012, p60).

As shown illicit drug use leads to multiple types of health conditions, which ultimately can lead to death. The current programs surrounding drug use, prevention and treatment are such things as rehab, the methadone program and imprisonment. As society is aware, rehab is often used unsuccessfully and by dazed down trodden actors, but research shows that if used correctly are one if not the best solution. Another approach is the methadone program; this is run by trained health professionals and is currently quite popular throughout societies. The methadone treatment is a program that is aimed at heroin addicts, a t the basis of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), and all opioid replacement therapy, is the observation that opioid analgesics can be substituted for one another. The cross-tolerance between methadone and heroin means that a person tolerant to heroin will also be tolerant to a dose-equivalent amount of methadone. Cross-suppression between heroin and methadone allows methadone to prevent or reverse withdrawal symptoms, and thus reduce the need for the person to use illegal heroin.

Methadone accumulates in body tissues, being released as the blood concentration falls, apparently buffering serum levels and minimising withdrawal and sedative effects. Higher doses of methadone can "block" the euphoric effects of heroin, discouraging illicit use and thereby relieving the user of the need or desire to seek heroin. This allows the opportunity to engage in normative activities, and "rehabilitation" if necessary (Australian Government Department of Health, 1995, p1). (Table 10.2- Prison entrants, types of used drugs for non-medical purposes in the last 12 months, 2012. @http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129543945)
 * **Substance used ** || **Number ** || **Per Cent ** ||
 * Cannabis/marijuana || 397 || 50 ||
 * Methamphetamine || 292 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">37 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Analgesics/pain-killers || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">135 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">17 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Tranquillisers/sleeping pills || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">131 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">16 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Other analgesics eg. opiates/opioids || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">101 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">13 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Heroin || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">119 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">15 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Methadone/buprenorphine/Suboxone || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">81 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">10 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Ecstasy || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">73 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">9 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Cocoaine || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">63 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">8 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Hallucinogens || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">31 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">4 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">GHB || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">23 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">3 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Ketamine || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">13 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">2 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Barbiturates || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">13 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">2 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Steriods || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">8 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">1 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Inhalants || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">5 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">1 ||
 * **<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Total ** || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">794 || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">100 ||

Research has found that methadone users often use on top off daily doses, with other illicit drugs. The AIHW’s 2012 report surrounding prison health, showed that methadone was used illegally more frequently then ecstasy and cocaine, but not heroin (table 2) (AIHW, 2012, p55). So if research shows that the methadone program and prison doesn’t cure addiction then why does society continue to use these treatments as they continue to cost the government valuable money? Why can’t society apply the funding to treatments such a secure rehabilitation centers, because society has two views; one is that drug users, also known as “drugos or junkies”, should pay the consequences and the other is the fact that the understanding of the complexity of the issue isn’t there. Like Brand’s documentary displays, the attitudes towards drug addicts, those who suffer from the disease of addiction, need to be treated in an emphatic and compassionate way.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Australia’s current drug laws take a stance on the use of illegal drugs. Illicit drug use often results in a punishment of imprisonment. Prison is almost like a quick fix towards drugs, but it never actually fixes the problem of addiction. Like any posing health issue the common influence is socially constructed views, and this has always had an impact on drug use and addiction in Australia. Patterns of drug use and social attitudes to drug use have changed dramatically over time. The concept of making drug use illegal did not really emerge in Western societies until the late nineteenth century. Before that, in Australia, Britain, Europe, and the United States, whether people used drugs was considered a personal decision—subject to social disapproval, but not illegal. The first Australian drug law was an 1857 Act imposing an import duty on opium. In the following years, a number of other laws were passed imposing often-prohibitive tariffs on opium. Since then society in Australia has had a zero tolerance towards illicit drug use (NSW Government, 2012, p1). These attitudes often hinder the success of treatment for those who suffer from drug addiction. The government plays a may part in the attitudes that society are bestowed, with the different governing bodies and the way in which these bodies believe society should run. The current stance and research surrounding drug addiction shows that prison doesn’t help cure the addiction, either does the current methadone program. But that society needs to change the views that have about drug addicts, instead of labeling them with demoralizing names such as “drugos” or “junkies”, they should see them as struggling addicts with a disease. Society needs to compromise historical views and beliefs for those that will better change and help societies current drug epidemic. The awareness and support that surrounds other health issues needs to surround the health issue of drug addicts. This imposing health issue needs to be dealt with, with empathetic and compassion, so that treatment be viewed less shameful and more acceptable. When society can stop considering drug addiction as a criminal issue and more of a health issue, then change in the right direction can be made.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS **

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Russell Brand’s documentary “I took drugs every day” represents the social views and moral panic that drug addicts must deal with, on top of the devastation of the addiction its self. This artefact confronts this cycle and gives viewers a real insight in to the unsuccessful rates that surrounds current laws, programs and solutions. it really digs deap down and through the epidemic of drugs and prison. This resource tested views of drug addiction, and the complexity and the severity that it has on ones health, mentally and physically, also the impacts that it had on society and the family and friends of the user. I really displayed the lack in understanding as to why addicts never seek the proper help and when they do why they relapse. It seemed so simple, go to the doctors, check yourself in and use the support and resources of the center. This documentary shared the reasons why it wasn't as simple as this. The methadone program is a classic example, the so called "quick fix" that doesn't actually help, infact it hinders one chances at recovery. It does so as it reinforces that drug use will numb the pain and ease the troubles, and in the mind of a drug addict that is gold. The documentary also gave an insight into the influence that secure rehabilitation programs had on ones recovery. Although Brand argues that by criminalzing drug users, we as a society place a career in the hands of criminals, he also discussed the success that certain correctional facilities are having when a rehabilitation program is implemented. But what Brand really proves is that in order to get "clean" drug addicts need to stop using, and that the best mthod is abstinence. Abstinence may not be the most ethical, but in order see improvement, the government needs to seek ways in which they can make absitience, with rehabilitation ethnical and accessable for society.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">ANALYSIS OF THE ARTEFACT AND OWN LEARNING REFLECTIONS **


 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY **

Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Program. (2010). Problem drug use. Retrieved from []

Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2013). Illicit drug use. Retrieved from []

Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2012). //Risky behaviors, Illicit drug use and needle sharing//. Retrieved October 30 2013, fromThe health of Australian prisoner’s 2012 []

Australian Government, Department of Health (1995). Review of methadone treatment program in Australia. Retrieved from []

Australian Government, Australian Institute of Criminology. (2012). //How much crime is drug or alcohol related? Self-reported attributions of police detainees//. Retrieved October 5, 2013, from Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice report no.439 []

Australian Government, Australian Institute of Criminology. (2011). //Prison-based correctional rehabilitation: An overview of intensive interventions for moderate to high-risk offenders.// Retrieved October 5, 2013, from Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice report no. 412 []

Australian Institute of Criminology - Harm reduction strategies. (2010, August 20).//Australian Institute of Criminology//. Retrieved October 2, 2013, from []

Candace, K.M. (2008). Drug Courts: A Social Capital Perspective. //Sociological Inquiry,// //78//(4), 513-535. Doi: [|10.1111/j.1475-682X.2008.00261.x]

Commission of Narcotic Drugs, Economic and Social Council. (2002). //Prevention of the recreational and leisure use of drugs among young people.// Retrieved from []

D, Wyatt. (2013, June 22). Recovering drug addict Russell Brand calls for 'compassion, not drug laws'. //Independent.ie.// Retrieved from []

Nation Institute of Wellness (2013). The Six Dimensions of Wellness. Retrieved from []

New South Wales Government (2012). History of drug laws. Retrieved from []

Russell Brand. (2013, April 12). Russell Brand on awareness of Drugs addiction as a health issue - Medical Documentary [Video file]. Retrieved from []

Seddon, T. (2011). What is a problem drug user. //Addiction Research and Theory, 19//(4), 334-343. Doi: 10.3109/16066359.2010.512109

Tieu, M. (2010). Bioethics Research Notes. //Understanding the Nature of Drug Addiction 22//(1), 7-11. Retrieved from []


 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">REFLECTION **

Reflection #1 <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/page/messages/%27Rape+Culture+or+Cultural+Rape%27

Reflection #2 http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/page/messages/Be+a+real+man%21