Suicide: prevalence, risk factors, and prevention strategies

Drugs

How Poverty Contributes to Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

There is a serious problem in the United States today with irresponsible use of alcohol and drugs. Hundreds of people die on a daily basis from drug and alcohol consumption, or from the effects of that consumption. For every direct victim, there are many others who suffer -- their friends and families. In order for society to overcome this problem, we must make an effort to understand the societal problems that contribute to it. This paper will discuss how poverty contributes to drug use in American adults.

The United States has a reputation as a rich country, yet approximately 1 in every 10 Americans lives below the national poverty line. People who live in poverty survive on incomes that the government deems too low to buy food, clothes, shelter and other basic needs. Many types of people live in poverty, including children and adults. Poverty contributes to drug and alcohol abuse in many ways.

According to Ovenden (2002): "It is abundantly clear that disadvantaged areas with poor housing, poor amenities and high levels of unemployment remain overwhelmingly the areas where drug problems are concentrated. Sadly, the link between drug problems and our most deprived communities has not always been recognized by politicians."

The Link Between Poverty and Drug Abuse

People who live in poverty are typically unemployed or work in dead-end jobs. Without meaningful work, these people often develop low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness. It is also important to note that in the U.S., rates of mental illness are highest among the poor. The most common disorders that accompany poverty are depression and anxiety disorders.

Without meaningful work to pay the bills and the resources and social affirmation that come along with meaningful work, many poor people have low self-esteem and feel worthless (IREX, 2003). They tend to be stressed by the uncertainty of their lives, constantly wondering how they will pay the rent or buy food. This causes high levels of anxiety and high rates of suicide.

As a result, many poor people seek relief of feelings of anxiety and depression associated with poverty by using mind-altering drugs. The most common drug used by the poor is alcohol, which is both legal and affordable. Because drugs make them feel better, these people may come to depend on them, both physically and emotionally.

Mental illness and drug dependence show the difficulties of distinguishing between poverty's causes and its effects. Mentally ill and drug-dependent people often have trouble holding steady jobs and maintaining relationships, causing them to fall into poverty. They may also have trouble getting out of poverty. Similarly, poverty itself appears to contribute to mental illness and drug dependence.

Studies show that drug addiction in the United States is disproportionately concentrated among the unemployed and undereducated. Alcohol and drug use is strongly related to difficulties in gaining and retaining employment. It is an ongoing cycle, as people who have had long-term alcohol and drug problems tend to have difficulty in entering or re-entering the employment market.

Alcohol and drug use can also be associated with problems in finishing school or acquiring any type of qualifications. The absence of further qualifications can significantly reduce an individual's ability to gain employment, or adequately paid secure employment.

According to Massing (1999): " To maintain that we must end poverty and discrimination in order to combat drug abuse seems a prescription for paralysis. The key is to find a strategy that is humane, affordable and sellable-to find a strategy, in short, that could actually work."