Alcohol Is a Legal Drug Essay - 588 Words

What is drug? A drug is a chemical substance that acts on the brain and nervous system, and changes a individuals mood, emotion or state of consciousness (Health Service Executive 2013). Drugs classified by the effect they produce: †¢ Stimulants, such as cocaine, make people feel full of energy; †¢ Depressants (or sedatives), such as heroin, make people feel relaxed; †¢ Hallucinogens, such as LSD, make people see, feel or hear things that are not real (Health Service Executive 2013). Legal drugs. Under Irish law, most drugs are illegal. However, some drugs are legal, they include: †¢ caffeine †¢ alcohol †¢ cigarettes (Health Service Executive 2013). What is alcohol? Alcohol is a legal, sedative drug which can alter feelings (Drugs.ie n.k).†¦show more content†¦Additionally CO2 produced by fermentation makes the bubbles in beer and some types of wine. From consumption to abuse. In 2011 World Health Organisation produced report based on the 2008 figures, in relation to alcohol drinking patterns (WHO 2011). The figures showed that an average Irish adult consumes 13.4 litres of pure alcohol per annum, compared to 12.2 litres to European adult. In addition to World Health Organisation survey, Health Services Executive in 2010 issued publication presenting 20 years of analysis of alcohol consumption in Ireland by Hope (Byrne 2010). In this publication it states that, Hope’s study shows that alcohol consumption per adult increased from 9.8 litres of pure alcohol in 1987 to 13.4 litres in 2006. Furthermore consumption per adult had risen to a high of 14.3 litres in 2001. Correspondingly there was a slight decrease in consumption per adult between 2004 and 2006, due to a greater increase in the adult population than in alcohol sales. Burne (2010) noted that, Ireland has a relatively high proportion of abstainers from alcohol. Ramstedt and Hope’s 2005 study of drinking habits in seven EU countries (Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, UK, France and Italy) participating in the European Comparative Alcohol Study (ECAS) showed that at 23%, Ireland had by far the highest proportion of abstainers(Byrne 2010). Overall high abstainers numbers are good news, however if one to include abstainers statistics intoShow MoreRelated Legal Drugs? The Problems of Alcohol Essay1946 Words   |  8 Pages Heroin, Cocaine, and Marijuana are all recognizable variations of drugs. â€Å"A drug is a chemical substance that affects the central nervous system, causing changes in behavior and often addition† (â€Å"American† 431). The affects a drug can have on the central nervous system as well as other parts of the body can be very devastating, but bodily damage is just one result of drug use. When a person abuses a drug it can cause them to act in a way that hurts themselves or others often resulting in problemsRead MoreMarijuana vs. Alc ohol in the United States Essay843 Words   |  4 PagesMarijuana vs. Alcohol In The United States Marijuana and alcohol are the two most threatening drugs used in America today. Marijuana is the most illicit drug while alcohol is the most abused. Both were illegal during the prohibition but when the constitution was ratified in 1933 alcohol was made legal while marijuana remained illegal. It does not mean that because alcohol is still legal it’s less dangerous than marijuana. Both drugs lead to serious risks and should be taken with caution if usedRead MoreDrug And Alcohol Testing On The Workplace1663 Words   |  7 PagesDrug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Due: Monday Dec 1, 2014 COMM-220-F Rebecca Walsh By Brett Tate and Brandon Bracko November 17, 14 Introduction People often question drug and alcohol testing in the work place. It is a controversial subject that has a range of mixed emotions. But where do you draw the line when it comes to crossing the boundaries of prying into one’s personal life? This report will explain the legal, and ethical issues surrounding the topic of drug and alcohol testing inRead MoreThe History of Drug Prohibition Essays953 Words   |  4 Pages Drug prohibition was not always accepted as it is today. Indeed, until the early twentieth century, there were few drug laws at all in the United States. Before the Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914, one could buy heroin at the corner drugstore; even Coca-Cola contained small amounts of cocaine until 1903 (Vallance 4). Some of the most proscribed drugs today were sold like candy and (quite literally) soda pop. What caused the sudden shift to prohibition? Prohibitionists often point outRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?972 Words   |  4 Pagesfolks argue that marijuana is a gateway drug and impairs judgement, causing people to act recklessly. However, extensive studies have been conducted on the effects, risks, and benefits of marijuana, and have proven marijuana to be safer than alcohol and most prescription, over-the-counter, and illicit drugs. Despite the extensive research and evidence backing up marijuana s mere harmlessness, it is still a hot button topic in America. Marijuana should be legal for both medical and recreational purposesRead MoreIntroduction Of Drugs And Alcohol Essay1392 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction to Drugs and Alcohol 2 Overview 2 I. Workplace Factors 3 II. Workplace Performance Behavior 4 III. Workplace Role 5 RECOMMENDATION 6 Workplace Policies and Drug Testing 7 Policy and Regulations on Alcohol and drug abuse 7 Employee Education/Health Promotion 8 Works Cited 9 â€Æ' Employer’s Guide for a Drug-free Workplace Introduction to Drugs and Alcohol In order to understand drug and alcohol use, it is important to be clear about what we mean by the terms ‘drugs’ and ‘alcohol. Alcohol is a legalRead MoreLegalization Of Drugs911 Words   |  4 Pageslegalization of illicit drugs has been a popular topic of debate. While there is often concern about the potential toxicity and the habits that may form, drugs are not necessarily the problem. In fact, the legalization of illicit drugs may be the answer to some of society’s problems. More drugs should be legalized because the drug is not the cause of the problem, our behavior is. Also, when compared to other substances that are legal we see the same social ills arise. If drugs were legalized crime wouldRead MoreLegal vs. Illegal Drugs1288 Words   |  6 PagesWhich are worse- Legal or Illegal Drugs? Drugs are a common part of everyday life. In fact, it is highly likely that there are drugs of some sort in your cupboard. They are classified into two categories: legal and illegal. Legal drugs include alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical drugs, while illegal drugs include marijuana, amphetamines and heroin. The media often portrays a biased, negative view on illegal drugs, however legal drugs often have the same effects as illegal drugs, if not worse. Read MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1638 Words   |  7 PagesCannabis Should Be Legalized in the United States In 1920 when alcohol prohibition began the war against cannabis had been going strong for a decade. In 1910 the Mexican Revolution created a surplus of Mexican immigrants in the United States; American citizens were frightened by the Mexican culture, including their recreational use of cannabis (Marijuana Legalization, 2015, para 7). Politicians continued to use fear and racism to grow disapproval and hatred of cannabis. Beginning in 1915 twenty-nineRead MoreThe Rise Of Drug Prohibition975 Words   |  4 PagesDrug prohibition is rarely viewed negatively by many Americans. The failure of drug prohibition has sparked some debate in the last fifty years, however, the ignorance about illegal substances has led to little discussion on alternatives to prohibition. Legalizing all drugs would be a better alternative than perpetuating the failed war on drugs. The drug war has negatively impacted many lives by demonizing users and corrupting public officials. Criminalizing alcohol did not work in the 1920s and