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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper discusses the complexities of defining 'drug abuse' and then proceeds to explain how labeling theory is used as an explanation for drug abuse. Furthermore, this paper highlights the ways in which labeling theory can be employed as a strategy to reduce drug abuse in our society. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_GSDrugab.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
is important to first determine what the precise definition of drug abuse is. There are a number of obstacles in regards to successfully determining this, since a number of
important issues are raised in the pursuit of trying to define drug abuse. One of the reasons why drug abuse is
so hard to define lies in regards to defining the drugs themselves (Arnao, 2003). For instance, narcotics, from a pharmacological perspective, are defined as the sedative effect that is
produced from a specific group of substances - mainly opiates and alcohol (Arnao, 2003). And yet, "narcotics" often refers instead to substances that are illegal (Arnao, 2003).
The term drug is defined by the Glossary of the 1961 Single Convention as "any of the substances in the Schedules I
and II, whether natural or synthetic". However, by 1988 the glossary of the Single Convention defined the term narcotic drug as "any ... substances ... in Schedules I and II".
That means that the drugs are defined not by their objective qualities, but by their classification into a subjectively sanctioned category (Arnao, 2003).
Clearly, even the World Health Organization cannot succinctly define "drug abuse" in a manner that is able to be consistently applied. There is no question then that the
inability to define what a drug actually is creates a problem when trying to aptly define "drug abuse". The meaning of
the word "abuse" is also relative (Arnao, 2003). According to the World Health Organization, the definition of "drug abuse" is "persistent or sporadic excessive drug use, inconsistent with or
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