by Xi Lin

Created on: May 26, 2008

Healthy communities are the paramount goals of any society. As every individual is a part of his/her unique community, it is the duty of the people to maintain its stability. Unfortunately, one of the greatest problems that people face is the use of drugs and tobacco. In 2006, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration projected that 20.4 million Americans aged 12 or older have used drugs. Therefore it is crucial for society to be informed of the evils that are associated with such popular substances.

It is known that many tobacco products such as chewing tobacco and cigarettes are extremely addictive. One in every five deaths in the US is smoking related and yet it is considered one of the most preventable threats. People must simply never begin to smoke. There are over 60 cancer-causing chemicals within every cigarette, which proves the need for prevention. Communities are torn down each day due to these unnecessary deaths. While firsthand smokers suffer the consequences of death by cancer, they also unfairly impose that fate among others through secondhand smoke. This destructive cycle must be stopped by rejecting all uses of cancer-causing products.

Struggles with addictive drugs such as meth and heroine are at least just as dangerous. While many people believe they can control their intake, the reality is that drugs completely distort their minds and decision-making processes. The tolerances that people develop for drugs force them to intake more and more in order to experience the same "high". Once the nature of using drugs becomes inescapable within mind of the user, the destructive road to overdose will be inevitable. We must be responsible citizens and prevent any use of drugs to ensure this path is never taken.

While there are many bodily harms associated with drug use, the sad reality is that there are many other devastating externalities. Many drug users are unknowing of the fact that the money they use to pay for drugs often finances more drug trafficking and murders. The Christian Science Monitor gives the example of the Norte del Valle Cartel. It is a prominent drug organization accountable for nearly two-thirds of the cocaine exported from Colombia annually and for at least 1,500 murders. People taking a political stance and saying no drugs can solve these problems directly. With active community members denying the funding that comes from selling drugs, these drug lords are powerless.

In order to preserve our healthy communities, we must take actions that prevent any risk of harm. As empirics show, the threat of addiction is much too real to overlook. Even trying drugs or tobacco one time can lead to an unbreakable habit that is neither beneficial for the user nor the rest of society. As it is our communal duty to safeguard the areas in which we live in, we must all join the fight against drugs and tobacco.

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