Substance Abuse in DC Areas, Essay Example

Introduction

Washington D.C. is comprised of a very diverse population and faces many challenges and has a significant substance abuse problem across its smaller communities. Some of the most popularly abused substances in Washington DC include marijuana, heroin, and crack/cocaine (Artigiani et.al). These problems are consistent with the socioeconomic status of the residents of many impoverished communities within Washington D.C. and create many concerns for local residents, law enforcement authorities, and other influences. In addition, approximately 21.3 percent of all residents between the ages of 18 and 25 have a substance abuse problem (Malcolm, 2011). This area continues to be widely impacted by drug and alcohol abuse in different ways and demonstrates a significant need for greater control, prevention, and oversight across the nation’s capital.

Body

It is necessary to understand the different issues that challenge residents in the Washington DC area to determine why substance abuse is so prevalent and what measures might be taken to better manage the status quo and prevent further decline in this area. With a large group of minorities and culturally diverse groups that reside in the Washington DC area, it is important to address the health issues that are most prevalent in this population and how they are associated with the continued growth of substance abuse across these communities. For example, Diabetes is prevalent in approximately 9.1 percent of the local population, 52.8 percent of adults are classified as overweight or obese, 20.8 percent of all adults are smokers, 9.9 percent of adults have been diagnosed with Asthma, and 57.7 percent of adults participate in some form of physical activity to promote improved health (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2013).

In Washington DC, life expectancy differs by almost ten years, depending on the community in which residents live, and as much as 18.6 percent of the population does not currently have any form of health insurance, which greatly diminishes their capacity to obtain access to basic healthcare and preventative services (Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2009). Therefore, it is very likely that limited access to much-needed services for many lower income residents of Washington DC plays a significant role in shaping current trends in substance abuse in this area. According to the National Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Information Center, “The younger population of DC is at a higher-than-ever risk of succumbing to substance abuse and illegal drug addiction. Combine this with the alarming drug-related homicide rate, and it’s clear that more DC drug and alcohol rehab centers are needed. It’s been estimated that over 10 percent of the city’s population is seriously dependent on an illicit substance of some kind, resulting in a higher treatment-related cost per capita than other state in the country” (2013). These statistics demonstrate that Washington DC continues to face a substance abuse crisis that is greater than many other areas of the United States and resources are limited to support this problem (NASAIC, 2013). In this context, it is imperative that community-based resources must be allocated to support treatment and prevention services for the residents of Washington DC’s smaller communities where substance abuse prevails, particularly in lower income areas where resource allocation for residents is severely limited (NASAIC, 2013). These efforts demonstrate that it is necessary to improve the evaluation of these communities to recognize these problems and how they lead to significant socioeconomic disadvantages for many community members (NASAIC, 2013).

Washington DC’s smaller communities where many low income residents reside face particularly critical challenges in their efforts to achieve greater health and wellbeing. Substance abuse is a critical component of this process and demonstrates the level of effort that is required to improve outcomes for these residents and their future generations. In many of these communities, substance abuse creates significant challenges for local residents and impacts how individuals and families make decisions, earn incomes, and achieve status as contributing members of society. However, serious substance abuse concerns challenge these communities and create more significant socioeconomic concerns for Washington DC residents, particularly those in lower income areas. It is important to recognize these concerns to determine how and if access to routine health services and improved socioeconomic conditions may contribute to reduced levels of substance abuse over time. These efforts will also enable local residents to obtain the assistance and the resources that are required to promote an improved quality of life as best as possible. These efforts have considerable relevance in supporting the need for community-based interventions and other opportunities to promote growth and change across different areas of Washington DC to encourage residents to make smarter decisions regarding substance abuse and other key factors.

Conclusion

In Washington DC, there is a significant emphasis on the drug culture in many communities, which coincides with the lack of knowledge and the availability of many important health-related services for many community members. Some of these beliefs are likely to be grounded in specific cultural identities and expectations that remain unmet in many communities. Therefore, it is the responsibility of local organizations and residents to collaborate regarding these problems and to take them seriously to reduce the prevalence of substance abuse across many of these smaller communities. This is a critical component in preserving the longevity and strength of the Washington DC population for the foreseeable future.

References

Artigiani, E., Okeke, L., Rezey, M., Voss, C., and Wish, E.D. Patterns and trends of substance abuse in Washington D.C. Retrieved from http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/pubs/20080304.pdf

Kaiser Family Foundation (2013). District of Columbia: health status. Retrieved from http://www.statehealthfacts.org/profileind.jsp?cat=2&rgn=10

Malcolm, A. (2011). Guess which District of Columbia has the nation’s worst drug and alcohol abuse problems? Retrieved from http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/08/substance-abuse-washington-worst.html

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (2009). Community health status indicators for Metropolitan Washington 2009. Retrieved from http://www.mwcog.org/uploads/pub-documents/zVZdWA20090623085814.pdf

National Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Information Center (NASAIC) (2013). District of Columbia (DC) drug and alcohol rehab. Retrieved from http://www.addictioncareoptions.com/states/district-columbia-dc-drug-and-alcohol-rehab