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Alcohol and Drug Abuse Michael Itagaki Sociology 102 What is a Social Problem? Review: Something in society that concerns people to the point they would like to change it. Social problems are relative Social problems are dynamic The Problem in the Social Perspective Drug Abuse defined: What is a Drug? Something taken to produce a change in your body, behavior, emotions, thinking or consciousness Drugs are not good or bad, in and of themselves. How they are socially defined and interpreted changes with groups. The Problem in the Social Perspective Drug Abuse defined: What is Drug Abuse? Using drugs in such a way that they harm one’s health, impair one’s physical or mental functioning, or interfere with one’s social life. The Problem in the Social Perspective Changing Social Definitions: What is considered drug abuse, depends on social norms. Norms—relative to culture/group What comes to mind when you hear the word drugs? What are our socially defined drugs? The Problem in the Social Perspective Changing Social Definitions: What comes to mind when you hear the word drugs? What are our socially defined drugs? The Problem in the Social Perspective Changing Social Definitions: In the United States 1800s and Opium What is normal at one time, might be viewed as abuse in another time. Importance of subjective concerns: How are drugs seen now? The Scope of the Problem What is a Drug? (review) Something taken to produce a change in your body, behavior, emotions, thinking or consciousness Subjective concern—Differences among substances is whether the substance is: socially acceptable or disapproved The Scope of the Problem America: Pro-drug usage Western medicine vs. Eastern medicine Decongestants vs. cupping Review: A social problem is something in society that concerns people to the point they would like to change it. Personal choice The Scope of the Problem Nicotine & Alcohol Review: Do they fit definition of a drug: “Something taken to produce a change in your body, behavior, emotions, thinking or consciousness?” Drug Addiction: Dependence upon the regular consumption of a drug to make it through the day. The Scope of the Problem Nicotine & Alcohol Illustration of Planes to Hawaii Emphysema & Cancer, nicotine related diseases, kill 400,000 Americans per year. Power of addiction 15,000 Americans die in alcohol-related car accidents every year The Scope of the Problem Nicotine & Alcohol Health-related issues also impact economy: Rising costs to health care Decrease in productivity Social Problem of Drug Abuse Symbolic Interaction Drug Use in sports: Pro baseball. Marijuana 1987 2001 Social Problem of Drug Abuse Functionalism Conflict Theory Social functions of drugs Social dysfunctions of drugs Drug laws as social control tools Opium, the Chinese and the 1800s Medicalization of human problems Table 2.1 (p. 27) A Summary of the Theories Table 4.1 (p. 89) Legal Status and Use of Drugs