The purpose of this paper is to review the scientific and academic literature relating to the goal of the present investigation of drug use in adults, and to discuss the individuals effected, relevant statistics and current federal, state and local drug policies leading to ways to improve historical efforts to reduce drug use in adults. A thorough search of the literature was undertaken to gain an informed understanding of the current level, scope and focus of scholarly knowledge in the topics and factors salient to an informative study resulting in insight into the subject; the results of this research are reflected in this paper.
America is a drug-taking culture; from 70 to 90% Americans 15 to 40 years of age are estimated to have used mood-altering chemicals (Little, B., L. Gilstrap, & F. Cunningham 1989). Using a series of open-ended interviews with young adults, a variety of processes were defined and delineated in order to reveal the multidimensional nature of participants' private perception of their 'health' behavior and that of their peers. The findings reported that they "invest meanings in 'health' choices, which are closely related to the everyday contexts of consumption. What people consume, and their representations of what they consume, are not only about health consciousness, but also about self-image, socialization and an active stylization of life. This is not to suggest that health consciousness is irrelevant to choices but such choices receive other meanings within our culture" (Inoannu, 2003).
Rockach (2002) wrote that the significant increase in substance abuse among young adults toward the beginning of the 21st century may be attributable to a dynamic environment, changing worldviews and expectations, both of the group and of those around them. She noted that a problematic issue in making and following recommendations leading to prevention, intervention and effective treatment of individuals in this...