Substance Absue Relapse Amung Women Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Substance Absue Relapse Amung Women - Essay Example Relapse is a situation of 'converting back' from a condition after a short or long abstinences. In drug addiction and substance abuse, it can be defined as "the resumption of the use of drugs after leaving it for some time" (Harris, J., Anderson, J. and Sharon, W, 1998). For substance abuse relapse among women, the issue of resumption of females to substance abuse after they have recovered. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines substance abuse as "the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances which include illicit drugs and alcohol". A prolonged or repeated use of such substances can lead to addiction which is usually evident with continued use of the substances despite the fact that physical and mental deterioration is being noticed. In fact, various researchers in the world have come up with different conclusions and suggestions regarding the causes, effects, solutions and recommendations on how to deal with substance abuse and relapse not only among women but also in all genders (Laws, D. & Ward, T. 2000). Substance abuse is a global issue. ... "In some producing areas, in Iran, between 4 and 6 percent of the population are opium addicts. The country has an estimated 1.2 million opiate addicts, including 150,000 heroin users. In the producing areas of Laos and Thailand, the addiction rate is as high as 10 percent. Fully 80 percent of the heroin consumed in Europe comes via the Balkans. Of the opium that comes from Southeast Asia, as much as 50% is sent to China. In the United States and Canada, in 1991 there were 360,000 heroin addicts; in 2000 there were 600,000 heroin addicts." (Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) "Indeed, on the average, the federal government has spent well over $10 billion a year on drug control for at least the last ten years. Currently, fifty-two federal agencies have a stake in drug control, and each must justify its budget." (Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) The U.S. has a lengthy history of legal and social measures aimed at thwarting substance abuse. The first legal measures against substance abuse came in 1875 when opium dens were outlawed in San Francisco in 1875. (Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) "The first national drug law, the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, required accurate labelling of patent medicines containing opium and certain other drugs."(Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) "The spirit of temperance led to the prohibition of alcohol by the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1919." (Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) Narrowing the substance abuse view down, the literature shows that in 2003 there were 56, 671 treatment admissions in the state of New Jersey. (New Jersey Department of Human Services, 2004) Of those admissions 56, 671 treatment admissions in the state of New Jersey, Essex county recorded

Fire in the Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper Essay

Fire in the Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper - Essay Example He artistically finds and positions fire strategically amidst the conflict thereby portraying his artistic prodigy. Forest fires in the novel epitomize the conflict between humans in the civilized society and the nature. In the several scenes, Cooper uses forest fires specifically to portray he role of humans in the destruction of massive forestlands thereby perpetuating environmental pollution. The forest fires spread fast and consume hundreds of hectares annihilating both animals and vegetation throughout the entire region. Most of the fires are results of human carelessness since malicious individuals who spark the fires simply to torment the rest of the society instigate some of the fires. Other forest fires on the other hand begin because of carelessness such as smokers and famers burning refuse in their gardens. Such shows of carelessness result in the destruction of the ecosystem as hundreds of hectares of forest cover burns away killing all the animals in such ecosystems (Cooper 54). The portrayal of the forest fires is tactical as Cooper uses such to build the extent and effects of environmental degradation. As the fires spread, the forests sustain the flow as massive bush land go up in flame owing to human laxity. The inability of the people to orchestrate timely response to the forest fires result in the loss of both the ecosystem and human life at times. Cooper uses the forest fires to sustain his sardonic criticism of the society and the relationship between humans in the civilized society and the natural wilderness thereby depicting the priorities of the humans. Apparently, the humans fail to recognize the position and role of the environment despite their technological advancement a feature that contributes to the people’s inability to curb forest fires before they destroy large tracts of