How science should inform drug policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

How science should inform drug policy - Essay Example It is proposed that there should definitely be more of the following: drug prevention for youth; drug intervention for young adults; and drug rehabilitation for older adults. This way, the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse can be severely limited or possibly even eliminated to a certain extent in reaching out to various age groups. Drug policy in the UK definitely has the potential to be influenced by the scientific research that is being done by Robinson and Berridge, as well as George F. Koob and his own colleagues, too. Drug prevention for youth should be put into place in order to prevent young people from sustaining neural damage due to drug usage. Alcohol and drug usage can severely impair brain function and cause neurological damage that is irreversible. According to Sussman and Ames (2008), â€Å"Robinson and Berridges (1993, 2000) incentive- sensitization theory focuses on the influence of neural adaptation (ie, sensitization) to drugs and drug-conditioned stimuli as the underlying mechanism perpetuating drug use† (pp. 81). Obviously, one of the concerns that plagues parents and teachers is the possibility that youth are exposed to alcohol and drugs early on—and as such, they are worried that their young charges and students may fall prey to peer pressure. Not only that, but it is a worry that the use of alcohol and/or drugs will be, unfortunately, used in order to stave off problems associated with reducing alcohol and/or drug usage. Additionally, it is a fear that young people will turn to alcohol and/or other drugs for recreational purposes.