OTC Abuse in America

Review
Review the case study, “Abuse of OTC and Prescription Drugs Among Teens.” [DOWNLOAD]

Social, cultural, and environment theory attempts to understand how social factors, environments, and the individuals who compose them are interrelated. This can include social groups, institutions, social hierarchies or even entire societies and cultures.

The role of individuals within such systems and how the collective actions of individuals create and maintain them are of special interest to social theorists.

There are many factors that play a part in initiation and maintenance of drug abuse in adolescents. Initiation of drug use is complex, with multiple factors contributing in the onset of this behavior. The social and cultural factors influencing the initiation of tobacco use vary from country to country, developed world to developing nations, region to region, and culture to culture.

Respond
As you prepare to address one (1) of the following discussion prompts, consider how social, cultural, and environmental theories apply to drug abuse in your community among teens.

How do public health coalitions (i.e., stakeholders) and community organizations influence over the counter (OTC) and prescription drugs use among teens (consider how this may relate to the socio-ecological models)?
How do social, environmental, and cultural theories relate to the vision, sense of purpose and the relationship with stakeholders in the development of effective policies to combat drug use among teens in America’s communities?