Introduction
This is a response paper to Philip Palmgreen’s journal article “Effects of the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Marijuana Initiative Campaign on High-Sensation-Seeking Adolescents” published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2007. The topic of the article deals with the drug-related problems of Adolescents and the steps taken by the Office of National Drug Control Policy to control the issue. The paper would evaluate and analyze the details provided in the article and convey a verdict on the article.
Background
The aspects of Drug abuse, particularly among adolescents, are a menace to modern society. The War on Drugs can be considered as a well-planned program undertaken by the United States with the support of other participating countries. This is done to combat the prohibited drug trade by curbing the drug supply and diminishing the demand for certain psychoactive substances which are considered detrimental to human health. Under the program several laws were enacted, numerous restrictions were enforced and several actions were taken. These are intended to reduce or bring to an end the production, distribution, and consumption of targeted substances. Several people from within the United States and outsiders as well were involved in this effort.
Discussion of method
To attain the result in the study, the study included the observation of 100 students. The entire observation was noted and backed by adequate literature to support the entire hypothesis. There were two methods used in the study. The first was sampling and qualitative method. The second one was the analysis and evaluation of several types of research done before. However, these researches were hardly older than a decade. It was found that only 3 out of 53 research papers used in the study were more than a decade old and even they from were highly peer-reviewed journals. This means all the latest findings were used in the study for the support and analysis of the present findings. The findings of the literature reviews were juxtaposed with the findings of the quantitative method utilized and it acted as a supporting backup for the qualitative observations. Together, the study yielded the optimum credibility and the success of the paper was ensured.
Analysis
The study puts itself at the center of the grievous problem, now taking on endemic proportions. The tragedy of young drug abused themselves to near-death is giving rise to a generation of people who are going to do themselves even more harm, in later life. The damage to their bodies will be revealed in later life even though it may not be apparent now. The National Health Service is taking a huge toll with doctors reporting facilities strained to the limit with the traffic of grievously injured youngsters who felt compelled to drink their brains numb.
However, the study also indicates that some drug control Acts were infringing world human rights norms. To him, the fight against Drugs is inimical to the concept of civil liberties. He successfully challenged the Act’s applicability in prosecuting doctors who prescribe narcotics to addicts and argued that the federal government has no power to regulate medical practice. He accused the United States War on Drugs of violation of human rights. He has termed it as a new form of malicious exploitation in the United States, whereas estimated by him a prison population of about 2 million, mostly Black and Hispanic people convicted for producing, distributing, selling and trafficking of drugs were working for an assortment of industries for a meager amount. According to him the policies formulated under the program also encourage racial discrimination. Corruption at various levels affected the execution of the program negatively.
Conclusion
The study indicates that the Office of National Drug Control Policy is working quite efficiently. On the school and parents’ side, it is understood that they play pivotal roles in ensuring a culture free from drug abuse. However, thousands of parents, mostly among the unprivileged working-class, neglect children to the point of not being able to guide their children away from this epidemic. There is the development of a whole nightlife culture around drinks which may be unavoidable. But, a parent alert and aware of the reality would be able to make an effort to school children to the terrible realities of life beyond the pub or discotheque. Youngsters could do well to be told of a safe limit for drinks and what represents overstepping them. There are curbs on hours which young people should be made aware of. Beyond this, children make their own choice. Schools are invaluable in this respect. There are many ways schools will develop ways of preparing a young mind to think for itself. The recommends that these forces along with the help of the Office of National Drug Control Policy are working quite efficiently should work together as a team and stop this problem. Thus, it can be stated that the overall development of the article is very sound and it presents a clear view of the problem along with its probable solution. This is good work done and makes way for much more thorough study in the future.
References
Palmgreen, P. (2007). Effects of the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Marijuana Initiative Campaign on High-Sensation-Seeking Adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 97(9), 1644-1649.