According to the CDC, substance abuse is “the use of any drug, including alcohol, for reasons other than medical or recreational” (CDC, 2018). This category may include various drugs, including legal prescription medications, illegal street narcotics, over-the-counter pain remedies, and alcoholic drinks. Although drug abuse may occur at any age, adolescents are particularly susceptible because of their heightened risk-taking behavior and feeling of invincibility (CDC, 2018). Regarding drug abuse, adolescents living in rural settings have particular challenges. Access to resources and services might make it difficult for adolescents to get drug misuse treatment. Substance abuse is also more prevalent in rural regions due to high poverty and unemployment rates (Wiles, 2013). Due to a lack of privacy in these areas, adolescents in small towns may be unwilling to seek counseling for fear of stigmatization.
According to DeCarlo (2018) and Wiles (2017), the prevalence of drug addiction among rural children poses particular moral concerns that must be addressed (2013). Ethical issues include the morality of drug addiction prevention and treatment programs and the consequences of substance misuse on individuals, families, and communities. This area of ethical problems contains these many facets of drug misuse. Substance abuse may have devastating effects on the physical and emotional health of the one who participates in it (DeCarlo, 2018). Problems with one’s bodily and mental health, such as severe depression, anxiety, and addiction, are among the possible repercussions (CDC, 2018). Adolescents living in rural locations are likely more susceptible to drug addiction’s adverse effects because they have fewer choices and kinds of help available to them (Wiles, 2013).
When addressing ethically acceptable techniques for preventing drug abuse, it is essential to consider the demands of the individual and the community as a whole. Both DeCarlo (2018) and Wiles (2017) argue for a range of interventions, including school-based programs, community-based programs, and public health initiatives (2013). For these interventions to have the most significant potential impact, the rural population must be considered throughout their creation. When considering ethical approaches for treating drug misuse, one must consider not just the rights and dignity of the individual but also the requirements of the whole community. Individual counseling, group therapy, and residential treatment facilities are among the therapeutic options suggested by DeCarlo (2018) and Wiles (2005). (2013). For these interventions to have the most significant potential impact, the rural population must be considered throughout their creation.
Rural areas are seeing an increase in adolescent drug abuse, severely impacting children, their families, and their communities. Substance abuse and the moral dimensions of preventive and treatment approaches have been explored at the individual, family, and community levels. It has considered how drug abuse may influence and be handled in rural regions. Substance abuse among adolescents is a severe issue, particularly in rural areas, and requires rigorous investigation and a comprehensive solution.
Reference List
Alcohol and other substance use (2022) CDC. Web.
DeCarlo, M. (2018) “Scientific inquiry in social work.” Web.
Wiles, J. L. and Jayasinha, R. (2013) “Care for place: the contributions older people make to their communities,” Journal of aging studies, 27(2), pp. 93–101.