Substance Abuse & Addiction Response 5

TEXT:

Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society, 8th Ed

by  Levinthal, Charles E

Original Question:

For this week’s Forum, respond to the following:   Thinking about this week’s readings in light of our discussion in Week 3 about the legalization of marijuana, what argument can you make for either the prohibition of or the continued legalization of caffeine and nicotine? What are some of the implications of either move? Should a pregnant woman who uses them be guilty of “fetal abuse” as she might be in the case of alcohol or illicit drug use?

Reply to the following response with 200 words minimum. (please make response as if having a conversation, respond directly to some of the statements in below post. This is not providing an analysis of the original post. Respectfully address it and even ask clarifying or additional questions.)

1.

Tobacco has been around since well before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. The Native Americans grew the large tobacco leaves (Leventhal, 2014, p. 249) and smoked them for pleasure and medicinal benefits (Charlton, 2004, p. 292). Over the centuries, more started using tobacco products for various reasons. Now, the population is more aware of its consequences and many opt to not smoke yet many still continue or start smoking. Tobacco use should not be prohibited. It is ultimately up to the person on whether they want to smoke or chew the substance but there should be continued and added restrictions on the use of the product. Currently, the government has been involved with the sales by having the FDA stepping in to monitor the science-based laws of tobacco commodities, the barring of candy-flavored cigarettes, the broadcasting of ingredients and added ingredients in tobacco items, vigorous avocations against marketing towards the young, and colorful notices calling attention to tobacco product’s health risks (Leventhal, p. 254). However, those who choose not to use tobacco products should be safeguarded from the after-products of tobacco users. Lung cancer and lower respiratory illnesses due to environmental smoke are some of the consequences (p. 261).

Caffeine, too, has been around for many centuries. It has been a quick “pick me up” for many along with its source, cocoa beans, being the ingredient for many loved products (chocolate being my favorite). Caffeine stimulants the neuronal activity in the brain and the effects travel throughout the body from the cerebral cortex to the brain to the spinal cord (p. 284). Many caffeine users love the substance for the pep it gives them. Many feel creep along lethargically through the day without it. Caffeine use does have some health benefits such as lowering the risk of coming down with Parkinson’s disease (p. 284) while negatives include a greater risk of getting osteoporosis with many other unknowns (p. 286). Caffeine is one substance many studies are still being done on. As for how it affects non-users, they deal with the behaviors of a non-caffeinated person who may be going through withdrawals and cravings due to the dependence of the substance. Grouchiness and grogginess are the most common responses of those without caffeine (p. 287).

As for if a woman with child should be accused of “fetal abuse”, that is a hard one to answer. She is ultimately responsible for her unborn child and should pay for the consequences should the child come out of her womb “damaged” in any way. I have a friend who smoked a pack of cigarettes a day before she became pregnant. Her doctor told her to continue smoking since her body was used to the nicotine. Her baby came out just fine and still is at age 17.

But, my answer for whether or not caffeine and nicotine to be prohibited or not is for it to be continually legalized with guidance for health precautions intact to protect those that choose not to use.

Marie

References

Charlton, A. (1 Jun 2004). “Medicinal uses of tobacco in history”. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 97, p. 292-296. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017 from journals.sagepub.com.

Levinthal, C. F. (2014). Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society. 8th edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

2.

In my opinion I do not think that either caffeine or tobacco should be illegal. I think the age should be to 25 for individual who want to smoke, and if you get caught smoking and are underage you should receive a fine. I think if you are older maybe you will make the right decision and not ever want to pick up the habit of smoking. Not only are you hurting yourself, you are hurting others around you with second hand smoke. Just because your choice to make a bad decision does not mean everyone around you should have to pay for it. There are several health hazards that are associated with smoking to include lung disease (COPD) and lung cancer. The death rate for lung cancer is 84% and 83% for COPD. I commend the states that has banned smoking in public places and smoking in a car while your children are in it.

I can not see any reason why caffeine should be illegal as long as you are made aware of the possible side effects to include insomnia which most people who drink caffeine is looking to stay awake, nervousness, stomach irritation and in some people it may elevate you heart rate. There are some positive effects from caffeine, several medications have it as a main ingredient to help manage headaches and migraines.

Any women who becomes pregnant has a responsibility for the health of their unborn baby. When you become pregnant you are no longing alone, you have a unborn child that is depending upon you to keep him/her safe and not pollute their poor body with poisons. This child did not ask to come into this world and be born being addicted to anything. So, yes if you decide to do anything to harm an unborn child you should be held responsible and if the child dies do to your addictions you should be tried to the fullest extent of the law. There needs to be consequences for your actions, because if you are not held liable you will continue to do it over and over again. When I was pregnant in the past they were not planned and as soon as I found out I was pregnant I instantly gave up smoking and caffeine. I would not be able to handle it if I continued to do something that might have a chance in harming my child.