DRUG ABUSE 2
Understanding Social Problems in a Sociological Perspective
Drug abuse is a social problem affecting youths across the world. In an attempt to address
this problem, various theoretical perspectives have been considered from various fields such as
biology, sociology as well as psychology. This paper will present the view and possible solutions
to drug abuse as might be presented by sociological theories of functionality, conflict, symbolic
interactionism and post-modernism.
Functionalism theory explains drug use from the point of view of the role the use of drug
plays in society. For instance, the use of drugs has some positive effects such as earning sellers
some income. Conflict theory, on the other hand, explains drug use from the point of view of the
conflict that arises from opposing sides. For instance, whereas some view drug abuse as a source
of social disorder, the drug peddlers view it as a source of income (Feldman, et al. 2011). In the
light of this, therefore, solving the problem of drug abuse requires careful weighing of the
positive effects it has on peddlers and the negative effects it has on consumers and the state.
Symbolic interactionism, on the other hand, views drug abuse to be rising from the
interaction which one has with those who use the drug (Benton and Craib, 2010). According to
this theory, one can be deterred from using drugs by prohibiting their interaction with those who
use drugs. Post-modernism views the use of drugs to be as a result of the interaction with the
modern innovations such as the internet. To control the use of drugs, therefore, emphasis ought
to be laid on controlling access to modern innovations such as the internet.
In the light of the above four theories, it is easy to understand and solve the problem of
drug abuse in the world today.
