Addictions Programs Essay

Assignment: Addictions Programs Addiction may cost individuals their relationships, jobs, and health. To society, the costs can be measured in many ways. Addictions have been linked to increases in violence and crime. Financially, the actual costs, which can be measured in health care and crime costs and lost productivity, are astronomical. In the United States alone, costs related to illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco exceeded $600 billion annually in the mid- to late 2000s (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011). Thus, every community has a program or needs a program to address addiction. Should you choose to become an addictions professional, you may be able to make a difference in individuals’ lives. For this Assignment, select a community of your choice and research available addictions programs using credible online resources, a local library, and other sources. By Day 7 Submit a 3- to 5-page paper that includes two sections: Section One: Community-Based Prevention Programs Briefly describe the community you selected, including demographics and geographic characteristics. Describe three community-based addiction-prevention programs. Describe prevention strategies used in each of the programs. Explain which prevention program strategies might be most effective in each program. Explain what elements might be missing from these prevention programs. Section Two: Making a Difference If you choose to work in the field of addictions, how might you contribute to positive social change within your community? Be specific and include examples based on what you have learned in this course. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2011). Drug facts: Understanding drug abuse and addiction. Bethesda, MD: NIDA. Retrieved from the NIDA website: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction