Drug Lure: Andre Agassi Not Immune from Methamphetamines
Fame, Fortune and...Addiction?
Coming "Clean"
With the recent disclosure by Andre Agassi of his methamphetamine addiction, it may seem as though no one is exempt from the lure of drugs.
As more and more celebrities are coming forward admitting to drug abuse, one could see how ubiquitous it has become. But what is it that drives people to do drugs and why are they turning to the most addictive of substances, meth? How widespread is drug use in American society?
Being in the public spotlight and having the media constant criticize them, celebrities are under supreme pressure: the pressure to look a certain way, behave a certain way and display success that the average person would never achieve. It isn’t just actors, athletes or artists that we are seeing becoming addicted to drugs; the politicians are as well.
The intense pressure to perform can be devastating. In addition, the Nation’s economy and the stress that many “normal” Americans face may drive them to seek an escape from the daily factors in their lives.
Who is Doing What?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse offers statistics on the rate of addiction and it’s distribution. According to research between 2002 and 2006, the rate of consumption and addiction of marijuana in the nation’s twelve and older set has dropped. However, the use of cocaine remained stable and the use of crack cocaine decreased.
The statistics for the use of hard drugs in adults (aged 26 and older) as shown by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health displays figures quite astonishing. In the 50-59 year old group, incidence of hard drug use was up from 4.1 percent of users reporting to 5.0 percent of users reporting between 2007 and 2008.
Pertinent Findings by Nation's "War on Drugs"
- OAS Home: Alcohol, tobacco & drug abuse and mental health data from SAMHSA, Office of Applied St
national and State alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug abuse statistics from SAMHSA's national surveys of alcohol, tobacco, drug use and mental health; substance abuse treatment facilities; and drug related emergency room departments: Substance Abuse
Everywhere You Don't Want to Be
One could look at the state of our nation and garner a bit of insight to why this might be.
With the economy declining rapidly, home foreclosures looming large in the minds of Americans, and the incidence of unemployment rising, it would appear that many adult Americans are seeking a way to deal with the mounting crises.
It was once thought that alcohol and marijuana were “gateway” drugs; that is, use of these drugs would eventually lead to using the harder stuff. These days, we find that children and adults will misuse prescription drugs in addition to seeking the effects of alcohol and marijuana. However, the media is reporting that many people are now or have been addicted to methamphetamines. The wide availability of the drug, the ability to purchase it cheaply and its highly addictive nature make its abuse widespread. Unfortunately, the effects of abuse are severely harmful: brain damage, tooth enamel erosion, skin problems, weight loss and mental issues are just the tip of the iceberg. Another issue with the drug use is the filling of our nation’s justice system with addicts who are being prosecuted for possession and distribution.
When a celebrity admits to drug abuse, there is usually support from the American public for that person to get the help that they need in conquering their addiction. However, drug abuse is an insidious issue that pervades the nation, and is not just limited to actors, artists and athletes. It is a problem even our neighbors posses.
