Influencing Factors on Drug Intake
In the current society, many factors have influenced drug intake. In criminology and social ology, these factors have been explained by theories such as strain and labeling theory. Strain theory believes that in every society, there are social structures which could contribute to pressurizing a certain group of people into committing a certain crime. On the other hand, labeling theory believes that behavior and self-identity of certain people could be influenced or determined by terms which are used to classify or describe them. The theory is mainly based on concepts that seek to explain stereotyping and self-fulfilling prophecy.
Factors Contributing to Drug Use
This research has illustrated several factors that contribute to people using drugs that are illegal. Among those factors is age. It has been determined that use of drugs varies with a change in age. Different groups of age have been associated with a certain type of drug. Consequently, the race has been found to contribute greatly to the usage of illegal drugs. Being a social group, it is believed to align to the strain theory. For instance, in America, African Americans were found to use illicit drugs at a higher rate compared to the whites.
Income and Drug Intake
Similarly, income is a contributing factor to the intake of illegal drugs. The level of income for various citizens varies with the type and rate of drugs that the drug users take. For instance, it has been observed that in France most people with a low income start taking illegal drugs at a younger age compared to those with a higher income.
Gender and Drug Consumption
The final factor contributing to illicit drug use is gender. The men have been observed to be involved more in taking illegal drugs compared to their women counterparts.
