Leisure & Substance Abuse
Statistics: Illicit Drugs
• use by Americans over • Initiation of use
the age of 12
– 2005: 8.1% (19.7
million)
– 2004: 7.9%
– 2003: 8.2%
– 2002: 8.3%
– 2.2 Million people
non-medically used
pain relievers
– 2.1 people used
marijuana
– 877,000 used
inhalants
• 72.3% under 18
Statistics: Alcohol
• 51.8% of the
•
•
population are current
drinkers(126 million)
22.7 % are binge
drinkers
Ages 18-25
– Binge Drinking: 41.9%
– Heavy Drinking:
15.3%
• Alcohol consumption
for the first time
–
–
–
–
2005:
2004:
2003:
2002:
4.3
4.4
4.1
3.9
Million
Million
Million
Million
• 88.9% of the people
in 2005 were under
21.
Statistics: Cigarettes & Tobacco
• Use by Americans over
age 12
– 2005: 71.5mil
(29.4%)users of tobacco
product
– 60.5mil smoke cigarettes
– 13.6mil smoke cigars
– 7.7mil used smokeless
tobacco
– 2.2mil smoked in pipes
• Initiation of Use
– 2.3 million over age 12
– 63.4 % of new smokers
were under 18
Negatives
• Arrests
• Suspension from
•
•
•
games
Mental and physical
changes
Coma or Death
Neglecting academics
– Academic troubles
• Delinquent activities
• Injuries
Positives
• Enhance physical
•
•
•
•
•
performance & athletic
ability
Social acceptance
Alertness and fatigue
prevention
Ability to study, run, and
stay out longer
Sensory stimulant
Relaxant
Impact on Leisure Service Providers
• Leisure Service providers have to think of
ways to attract people to them and not to
go to drugs when they get bored
• What types of substances they will allow
in a sports stadium (alcohol and smoking)
• Some leisure service providers spearhead
groups for people with substance abuse
and give support.
Possible Future Impacts
• Retirees picking prior drug abuse back up
• Higher divorce rate
• Higher rate of children born with mental
and physical disabilities
– Children may suffer from abuse and neglect
as well.
• Increase in rate of incarceration
– cost taxpayers
Resolutions
• Educate the general population about the
•
•
•
•
negative effects of drug use.
Research what drug dependence does to the
human body so that people know what can
happen to them if they get addicted
Restrict use to scientific and health care use
only.
Supervise the distribution of such substances
Requiring Drug tests in more work and school
environments
Discussion
• How would drug use help the average Joe
in day to day life?
• Other than the obvious, what other
reasons do athletes have to use drugs?
• If students did not have peer pressure,
would they still use drugs? Why?
• If someone you cared about was doing
drugs what would you do to help them?