Drug addiction in Saskatchewan

Drug addiction in Saskatchewan
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Introduction
Drug and substance abuse is a public health concern, and the two challenges continue to attract the attention of public health workers as well as different arms of governments. Researchers continue to develop hypotheses on the best ways to curtail the problem, but drug and substance abuse also continue to evolve. New forms of substances enter the markets periodically, even as efforts continue to evolve to curb the menace. Researchers such as Feldman et al. (2014) found out that in addition to physical substance addiction, drugs are also likely to produce psychological addiction. A biological condition or state of being under the control of a habit or practice that may affect the physical and biological condition of life is generally termed as drug addiction. While defining drug addiction, some have even moved a step forward and even mentioned it as slavery to the habit or practice. Drug addiction does not only include the intake of substances like alcohol, cocaine, and nicotine, but it also includes involvement in pleasurable activities which may lead to interference in ordinary life. Drug addiction is something that does not depend on parameters like age, sex, and wealth but depends on various factors (Wallman & Blumstein, 2006).
Drug addiction in Saskatchewan
The National Centre for Drug addiction and substance Abuse (CASA) reveals that one of the major health problems that are seen today that in the Northern parts of America, and in particular, Canada, are cases of drug addiction. The most affected age groups span individuals aged between 18 and 23 years. These ages comprise the most at-risk populations. However, it is notable that drug and substance use may begin from a tender age and flow into late adulthood. In some cases, some individuals never really grow to old age once they get into drug addiction. Some die untimely deaths while others commit suicides. There are some who end up serving a better part of their lives in incarceration facilities, while others spend a better part of their lives in mental health facilities. This time of life is said to be the most sensitive and also the most important stage of life because Saskatchewan is the stage where the individual starts developing mature characteristics and moves towards being an adult. There can be various reasons for drug addiction in this age like loneliness, personal responsibility, challenges, future stability, and many more, but research reveals that high school seniors and college-goers generally indulge themselves in drug addiction due to reasons like curiosity, pressure from friends, to feel better and so on (Rogers, 1998). The Saskatchewan substance use generally includes smoking, drinking, misuse of illegal drugs, and other substances causing drug addiction.
Drug abuse is considered a mental health problem because it affects the brain by influencing how it works. Drug addiction is first perceived in the brain then dependence follows. Attempts at withdrawal from drug use are also likely to elicit certain reactions, such as withdrawal symptoms. For instance, reforming addicts who attempt to quit alcohol dependency are likely to develop conditions such as vigorous shaking that may affect their bodily functions. Now the main question is, how does drug addiction occur? From research and surveys conducted by various institutions, several reasons for drug intake come forward. Firstly, some categories of drugs produce some strong feelings like high energy, self-confidence, increased power, and these feelings attract the individuals more. Secondly, as mentioned, factors like loneliness, depression also are responsible for drug addiction because the intake of drugs may temporarily release the individual from stress and depression. The most commonly abused drugs act as laxatives, and they have the capacity to influence the brain's functionality to achieve these functions.
Drug abuse affects the working of the brain to quite an extent because most of the factors that lead to drugs are related to the brain. The practice continues because of the temporary relief that the substance provides to the brain, but this leads to a reduction in the effectiveness of the brain. The individual generally leads a virtual life, and it is known that at this point of life, the brain experiences some changes in behavior and maturity; therefore, the brain development process is stunted to some extent. There are various instances where it has been noticed that the normal functioning of the brain has stopped, and individuals have even gone insane.
Lee Philips, a licensed clinical social worker, formulates and puts forward a theory that prevents an individual from abuse of drugs. According to him, youth development generally consists of Five C's, namely Competence, Confidence, Character, Connection, and Caring. Competence is the perception of possessing various skills and abilities. Confidence is the mental state where an individual is aware of the positive worth possessed, Character is the quality due to which the difference between right and wrong is possible, Connection is people with whom the individual spends time and their relationship, and Caring is the sense of sympathy for other people (Philips, 2012). These are the qualities that parents should try to make their kids possess, which will prevent them from drug abuse.
Saskatchewan Area is currently experiencing serious cases of drug abuse. There are various colleges and high schools, and the students are getting involved easily in these practices (Hansen, 2003). Therefore, the institutional authorities and even the legal authorities are taking some serious steps to stop this practice because the future of the country lies in the hands of these individuals.
Facts about Saskatchewan
The aging rate of the Canadians a clearly known phenomenon as registered by Fletcher & IRPP, 1980; Dumas & Lachapelle, 1987; and Statistics Canada, 1990. The characterization of Canada as a generally aged population began after the 1971 census results. The results indicated that adults 65 years and above occupied 8% of the nation's total population. According to Statistics Canada, Demographic Division 1991, the ratio of the older adults increased to 11.6% by the census of 1991. Statistics Canada (1985) developed predictions by basing on the extrapolations from fertility, mortality, and immigration rates. Their predictions indicated the likelihood of further national increases to about 14% by 2001, 16% by 2011, and about 26.5% by 2031. Therefore, there is likely to be a growing trend in the changing needs of the population. The characteristics of individuals aged 65 and above are, therefore, continuing to draw concerns and increase in importance within the Canadian society. However, it is important to note the salience of the issues in certain regions within the nation.
Saskatchewan province has the highest median age for the oldest members of the population in all the Canadian provinces. The older adults accounted for almost 14% of the total population in 1991, according to SHSP (1991). There are several factors that influence the numerical representations of the older people in Saskatchewan. The first reason is that the province experienced a general decline in fertility and has no replacement levels for its fertility rate of an averagely of 2 children per woman within the province (Dumas 1987). The lowered fertility rate serves to decrease the ratio of the youths to the elderly as they grow into adulthood without enough people to replace them. The second reason is that life expectancy in Saskatchewan stands at around 74 years for males and 81 years for females. The implication is that the life expectancy in Saskatchewan is relatively higher than the national figure, which stands at an average of 73 years for males and 80 years for females. The figures are a representation of Statistics Canada, Health Reports (1990). Lastly, the province is agric...