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Paper Abstract: Consideration as a public order crime. Social context of drug abuse. Social theories that explain drug abuse. Durkheim's and Merton's theories of anomie; alienation and self-destructive behavior in modern society. Best strategy for reduction or elimination of drug abuse in young people as interventions via school or family based programs. Paper Introduction: The type of deviance addressed in this paper is drug abuse that falls under the category of public order crimes. Essentially, public order crimes differ significantly from most other crimes because no “victims” are involved. Crimes such as the illegal use of drugs are committed by individuals who have voluntarily chosen to abuse drugs. No other individuals are directly harmed from the crime of drug abuse (Welch, ?). Considering the fact that an individual’s use of drug is often related to their relationships with others and their environment, the measurement of drug abuse needs to take into account the larger social context. The ability of individuals to control the extent of their drug use is thus dependent on their support network and interaction with mainstream society (Zinberg & Jacobson, 1974). Thus, the measurement of drug use should Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Emile Durkheim: Selected writings. Furthermore, it is important to note that relationships suchas family and work dynamics need to be observed over a significant periodof time in order to reveal their distinctive characteristics (Etz et al.,p. (1972). E., & Jacobson, R. The Social Controls of Non- medical Drug Use. The patterns of drug abuse are likely to vary inaccordance with changes in the drug abusers' relationships and theenvironment. By preventing the occurrence of drug use amongyoung people, the population of adult drug users will diminishsignificantly in the future. Merton's (1968) theory of anomie is applied directly to Americansociety in which deviant behavior such as drug abuse occurs because of alarge discrepancy between the socially acceptable goals of society and thelegitimate means for achieving them. Welch, M. [Online], 1-11. For example, in the case of drug abuse amongadolescents, the interrelationships among variables including parentalattachment, connections with gangs and deviant peers and academicperformance should be incorporated in the measurement of drug abuse (Etz,Robertson, & Ashery, p. Theseprograms are premised on the fact that the creation of a strong andpositive support network for young people will reduce their susceptibilityto the lifestyles of deviant peers and more importantly, increase theirability to deal with life's challenges and disappointments. Although this strategy targets primarily young people, it alsoexerts a substantial impact on adults such as parents and other members ofthe family. Furthermore, it is important to recognize that young peoplegrow up to become adults. Available: www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/monographs/ 1- 11-Etz.pdf [2 2, January 4]. Based on the theory of anomie, the best strategy for the reduction orelimination of drug abuse should focus on drug abuse interventions amongsusceptible young people via school- or family-based programs. Thus, modern individuals areprone to self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse in order to liberatethemselves from their feelings of disillusionment and isolation. 6). 173). The ability of individuals to control the extent of their drug useis thus dependent on their support network and interaction with mainstreamsociety (Zinberg & Jacobson, 1974). Corrections: A critical approach. Thus, the risk and protective factors that are applied to apredominantly white population should not be used for a predominantlyHispanic population without extensive adaptation (Etz et al., p. Their frustration with their inability to realize theirgoals can often lead to incessant frustration and misery - a condition ofanomie (Durkheim, in Giddens, 1972, p. Psychology Bulletin, 112(1), 64-1 5. Although Durkheim and Merton espouse two different versions of thetheory of anomie, they offer a compelling explanation of why many peoplechoose to engage in drug abuse in American society. Considering the fact that an individual's use of drug is oftenrelated to their relationships with others and their environment, themeasurement of drug abuse needs to take into account the larger socialcontext. Second, thecharacteristics of the family or the environment such as the existence ofphysical or sexual abuse, the parent-child relationships and the type ofdiscipline can also determine whether the young individual takes drugs. Hawkins, J.D., Catalano, R.F., & Miller, J.Y. In school-based intervention programs, programeducators address the need for students to focus on their academicachievement and school- or community-based extracurricular activities.Furthermore, the students are also trained in social skills that willenable them to make good decisions in difficult situations and learn how torefuse invitations to use drugs (Etz et al., pp. Rather, programeducators seek to develop the parenting and communication skills of parentsand other family members. Essentially, public order crimesdiffer significantly from most other crimes because no "victims" areinvolved. 6). According to Durkheim,the condition of anomie will never occur in a socially integrated societyin which individuals are aware of their interdependence and connection withone another (in Giddens, 1972, p. 6). However, the rapid socio-economicchanges over the last decades have led to the compartmentalization of livesand separation of people into isolated units. Crimes such as the illegal use of drugs are committed byindividuals who have voluntarily chosen to abuse drugs. The strategy is highly likely to work because it involves acomprehensive intervention that involves both the family and schoolsettings-the two most influential environments in the lives of youngpeople. (1968). Their feelings offrustration over their failure to achieve the goals of mainstream societycan push many individuals to engage in deviant behavior such as drug abuse. Apart from short-term studies, longitudinal studies should also beused to assess drug abuse. Zinberg, N. The type of deviance addressed in this paper is drug abuse that fallsunder the category of public order crimes. The theory of anomie, as developed by Emile Durkheim and Robert K.Merton, offers a strong explanation for drug abuse. According to Hawkins, Catalano and Miller (1992), family-basedinterventions are important because parents and siblings play aninfluential role in the individuals' decisions to engage in drug use.First, the family members' use of drugs and their attitudes towards druguse can affect a young person's interest in drugs. Although the dream of having a homeand well-paid job is regarded as the ultimate goal in American society formost members in mainstream society, not all individuals are given the sameopportunities to realize this dream. New York: Free Press. Thus, in family-based prevention programs, families acquire strategiesor techniques on parent-child interaction, communication, and the creationof a positive family environment. The focus of successful programs is notsimply to inform parents about parenting practices. No otherindividuals are directly harmed from the crime of drug abuse (Welch, ?). Giddens, A. Risk and protective factors need to bedetermined in relationship to the specific culture of the population beingevaluated. 172). Risk and protective factors for alcohol and other drug problems in adolescence and early adulthood: Implications for substance abuse treatments. Social theory and social structure. London: Cambridge University Press. Thus, the inequality of opportunity,along with the society's celebration of achievement, can place high stresson individuals (pp. Washington, D.C.: The Drug Abuse Council. 1-2). Becauseof the lack of a viable support network for many individuals, they are ableto resort to self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse during criseswithout external checks or assistance. Thus, the measurement of drug useshould incorporate a variety of social settings such as family,neighborhood, school and work. 186-9 ). (?). (1974). Consequently, some members of society mayresort to the use of drugs to escape from their problems or even sell drugsin order to acquire material wealth. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Drug abuse prevention through family-based interventions: Future research. Finally, in a culturally diverse society such as the U.S., variablesused for measuring drug use should reflect the distinctive characteristicsof minority population groups. At the same time, Merton has painteda powerful image of how the economic and social inequalities of Americansociety have led to the individuals' sense of disillusionment andalienation from society (the condition of anomia). While people weretraditionally governed by the dictates of morality and social order,individuals in modern society are increasingly susceptible to their ownlimitless desires. Merton, R.K. (1992). References Etz, K.E., Robertson, E.B., & Ashery, R.S. In the modern societythat is characterized by computer technology, the widespread use of theInternet, increasing specialization in the workplace, the bonds ofconnections between people in community have virtually dissolved. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.