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Essay: Awareness of Methamphetamine Use Among Teen Native Americans: A Family & Community Issue

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  • Published: 23 February 2023*
  • Last Modified: 22 July 2024
  • File format: Text
  • Words: 605 (approx)
  • Number of pages: 3 (approx)
  • Tags: Drugs essays

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Drug abuse among the youths has become an increasing menace to the American society. This trend has greatly been exhibited by the indigenous teens: youths of an ethnic group that formulate the original inhabitants of the land (Brown, 2010). The minors indulge in such drugs as methamphetamine to a point of addiction, a state associated with drug dependence. Such a drug is considered to be a powerful and habit-forming stimulant that has an effect on the central nervous system (Iritani, Hallfors, & Bauer, 2007). Therefore, upon scrutiny of the history of indigenous people, it is worth to spread awareness with regards to the upsurge in methamphetamine usage amongst the native teenagers since the practice impacts negatively both the families and surrounding communities.

Native American Indians had certain beliefs backed up with several myths in relation to supernatural doctrines, for instance, the use of natural existent herbs (Beyer, 2017). A good example is the traditional medicinal herb called “peyote”, which contained a psychoactive alkaloid that was used to create hallucinations (Roubideaux, 2011). The drug was used in magic-religious practices. However, on the advent of colonization in these regions, the colonialists thought on abolishing the existing cultural beliefs by introducing their own religion. In the long run, the western culture, which in turn paved way for the socioeconomic changes, came in with the following consequences (Thorn, Tickamyer & Thorne, 2004).

Much concerning methamphetamine use has been attributed to the oncoming of the modern culture. That is, the indigenous tribe in the United States has encountered several challenges upon settling of the whites amidst the Native American Indians. The problems faced by the natives involve hostility in schools, segregation in social places and social amenities, and poverty caused by lack of proper mentorship and opportunities (Forcehimes et al., 2012). Many American youth, hence, engaged in the usage of the drug deliberately to escape from the reality that affects them. Involvement in the drug affair has proved somehow irreversible because most victims are yet to embrace withdrawal: quit from using drugs. The most affected are high school dropouts who opt for easier and faster ways of making a living by distributing methamphetamine in their local neighborhood (Beauvais, 1996). Marginalization exposed to the indigenous tribes by the Federal State has also contributed to the existence of drug abuse victims. Despite the increase in urban Indian population, which is estimated to be 66% as of now, Federal Reserve has since declined to give them support when it comes to common social and economic amenities. Another establishment is that only 5% is allocated to Indian health care systems from the Federal State (Indian Health Service, 2001). This is a mere proportion that cannot cater for a budget to salvage the methamphetamine victims by purchasing naloxone, a type of medication that reinstates normal breathing to an individual whose respiration has been tampered by excess drug abuse. Without the necessary support from the Federal State, these marginalized communities find it a daunting task to control its youth who are struggling with methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine use is known to cause negative effects on the victims; for example, it results in loss of social relationships, specifically, those with the family or even close friends (Brown, 2010). Besides, it has led to an extensive number of school dropouts and also made working individuals less productive (Steinberg, Grella, Boudov, Kerndt, & Kadrnka, 2011). Moreover, it has been the basis for criminal life since the unproductive and school dropout youths engage in activities that involve theft and even murder. Ultimately, it has been associated with the drastic change of health where victims are prone to psychosis. Parents have the responsibility to ensure proper upbringing of their children so that they pursue constructive dreams in life.

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