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

Social Problem of Drug Abuse Functionalism  Social functions of drugs  Social dysfunctions of drugs Conflict Theory  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