Drug and Alcohol abuse among teens Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Drug and Alcohol abuse among teens - Essay Example As at the year 2009, 11.98% of teens in Nevada abused tobacco products as compared to average U.S.’s 11.52%. It had no significant statistical difference in the county-level rates of tobacco addiction and abuse. While the average U.S. alcohol abuse among teens was at 14.66% in 2009, the percentage of teens affected in Nevada remained at 15.15%. This was, however, after a decrease from 17.67% and 18.40% in 2003 respectively. The rate of alcohol abuse reduced by 3.01 percent, nationally, and 3.25 percent, in Nevada.In 2009, illicit drug use among teens in Nevada was 12.57% of the total compared to 9.65% for the total U.S. teen population. The use of marijuana among teens in Nevada was also slightly higher than that of national statistics at 16.4% versus 13.28% respectively. Rates of drug-induced deaths are higher than the national averages in the state of Nevada at 20.1% versus 12.7% deaths per 100, 0000 teens. From the statistics, it is evident that Nevada’s statistics a re higher than the national statistics. Virtually all the comparisons in abuse and impacts trends portray Nevada’s statistics as being way above the national tally.Relationship between Cognitive abilities and Rational BehaviorWhile increased cognitive abilities may enhance once ability to reason and differentiate between good and bad, the development may not necessary deter them from being involved in irresponsible behavior. Drug and alcohol abuse is usually associated with a slow progressive addiction.

Things Fall Apart (Okonkwo Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Things Fall Apart (Okonkwo - Research Paper Example Nwoye, Okonkwo’s oldest son, was a major character that accepted and embraced the new order to the disappointment of his father. Nwoye was the opposite of his father. He loathes war and violence, which Okonkwo cherishes. He embraces the new religion, which Okonkwo vows to destroy. Nwoye’s final decision to leave his father house clearly shows the cultural collapse the new religion brought to the Igboland. The Story Though Okonkwo is a respected leader in the Umuofia tribe of the Igbo people, he lives in fear of becoming his father, Unoka, an idle, poor, profligate, cowardly, and gentle man and could not even think of tomorrow. Throughout his life, Okonkwo attempts to be his father’s direct opposite. From an early age, he builds his home and reputation as the precocious wrestler, who throws Amalinze the Cat â€Å"in a fight which the old men agreed was one of the fiercest since the founder of their town engaged a spirit of the wild for seven days and seven nights † (Achebe 3) He was also a hard-working and a productive farmer. He becomes prosperous, thrifty, courageous, violent, and adamantly opposed to anything else that he perceives to be â€Å"soft,† such as conversation, music, and emotion. He marries three women and fathers eleven children among. He is stoic and tough on the outside but he was not a cruel man. Okonkwo’s life takes a turn a when an accidental murder takes place and Okonkwo was given the responsibility of adopting a boy named Ikemefuna from the village, Mbaino, where the murder took place. Okonkwo comes to love Ikemefuna like a son since the latter turns the feminine Nwoye into a man. In fact, he loves him more than his natural son, Nwoye. After three years, though, the tribe decides that Ikemefuna must die. When the men of Umuofia take Ikemefuna into the forest to kill him, Okonkwo actually commits in the murder. Although he’s just killed his adopted son, Okonkwo shows no emotion because he wan ts to be seen as courageous and not weak like his own father was. Inside, though, Okonkwo feels painful guilt and regret. But since Okonkwo was so wrapped up in being tough and emotionless, he isolated himself from Nwoye, who was like a brother to Ikemefuna. Indeed, Okonkwo never portrays emotions towards anyone even though he feels inward emotions at times as he did after killing Ikemefuna. Okonkwo wraps his inward emotions by outfits of anger express through violence, stubbornness, and other irrational behavior. He was impulsive; he acts before he thinks. Okonkwo demands that his family work long hours despite their age or limited physical stamina, and he nags and beats his wives and son, Nwoye. Later on, during a funeral, Okonkwo accidentally shoots and kills a boy. For his crime, he was sent on exiles for seven years in his mother’s homeland, Mbanta. There, he learns about the coming of the white missionaries whose arrival signals a collapse of the Igbo culture. They brin g a new political system, colonial government; and a new religious order, Christianity. The two new systems weaken the cohesive force among the Igbos and leads to eventual collapse of the Igbo culture. For instance, Igbo outcasts, the Osu, become accepted in the society. As the Christian religion gains legitimacy, more Igbo people including prominent sons became converted. Just when Okonkwo has finished his seven-year sentence and is allowed to return home, his son Nwoye converts to Christianity. Okonkwo is so bent out

Compare and contrast the lives of Plato and Malcom X Essay

Compare and contrast the lives of Plato and Malcom X - Essay Example This according to Plato is very essential because it will make them experts in that particular field, which would indeed benefit the society. (www.infed.org ) Malcolm X was a great political figure in America and was an advocate for voicing the concerns of the Black American’s. According to Malcolm X he felt that, education is the most primary requirement for any individual without which, they would not be able to make any progress in the world. Indeed he felt that, educated individuals can take themselves into the future with greater confidence. Learning according to Plato and Malcolm X As per Plato he felt that learning is only a form of recollection. Plato was of the view that, the human soul is well aware of all universal facts and that for any person seeking knowledge, they only need to do a form of recollection. Indeed Plato felt the real need for people to reason out the things that they come across in day today life. This was because he felt that the majority of humans were leading a life that was totally closed and chained, which could not reveal the truth that existed in the world. This message is being beautifully passed onto the readers by Plato who asks the people to search for this truth, which is hidden in the universe. (www.infed.org ) Malcolm X on the other hand never wanted to stop learning all through his life. He felt that learning is a continuous process and that each person had to have a good primary education and should always go in for higher studies if they get a chance to do so. He himself felt very unhappy for having had to stop his school education and all through his life had an urge to continue with his education. He started life as one being at the bottom of the society, which was much dominated by the American whites. But Malcolm X through his ability grew from a troubled initial childhood to become one of America’s topmost political figures. (www.leader-values.com) Influence of Socrates on Plato Socrates had a prof ound influence on Plato. Plato had become one of the most important students of Socrates and it is only through Plato’s writings that, much of Socrates teachings about philosophy come to light. It was Plato who recorded most of Socrates conversations with others and presented it before the world, to show the wisdom of his beloved teacher. Indeed Socrates death brought so much of grief to Plato, that he devoted his entire life for the teaching of philosophy and to spread Socrates teachings. Thus Plato started his own school for philosophical teachings for the young men, which was named as The Academy that became the most important centre for Greek learning. (www.infed.org ) Influence of Bimbi on Malcolm X Malcolm X got much of his inspiration from a prison mate by name Bimbi. Malcolm X was so much attracted and influenced by Bimbi, since the latter had a wonderful ability to dominate any form of discussion through his speech as well as by means of his ideas. Indeed this had be come one of the turning points in Malcolm’s life and the inspiration that he acquired from Bimbi, turned to a great motivating force which made him a very powerful political figure in America. (www.allisonj.org ) Leadership Skills of Plato and Malcolm X Plato was a great leader and had many followers. He inspired many of his later students by his leadership skills whom he taught in The Academy. Among them Aristotle became one of the students who became greatly influenced by Plato’

Asian American Arts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Asian American Arts - Essay Example Before one can analyze Jang's contribution, it is necessary to understand his background; this facilitates an appreciation of his influences. Jang began his musical journey one year before he turned twenty. At that time, he was trying to familiarize himself with basic piano skills. Shortly after, he joined a Music School called Oberlin Conservatory where he sharpened his piano skills and learnt how to compose songs. This artist completed his studies after three years and received a degree in music. It is also worth noting that the artist was born in America; specifically in Los Angeles and was subsequently raised in California. However, Jang still stayed in touch with his Chinese roots. He draws from his experiences as an immigrant Asian American but at the same time acknowledges the issues addressed in other forms of music such as social injustice in African American musical expressions. (Jon Jang, 2002) During his performances in San Francisco, Jang highlights some of the hidden facts about China town. This was especially because the Festival had been organized as a way of paying homage to the efforts made by Alice Yu in China town. Jang has an amazing way of showing his appreciation and respect for historical times that may have been forgotten or those ones which had never been mentioned before. This is because he unearthed some songs like Reparations now and Tiananmen at a Jazz Orchestra. (Jon Jang, 2002) Despite intensive tu... Some enthusiasts have called Jang's music 'two flowers on a stem' because they believe he has stayed true to his traditions yet at the same time has encouraged creativity through improvising his dual cultural identities. (Jon Jang, 2002) Jang's creativity has been employed by numerous entities in the world of classical music. For instance he did some work for The Library Congress, thereafter; he did some compositions for Chanticleer and Kronos quartet. Some of his compositions have also been presented in theatres; he wrote a composition for 'The Woman Warrior'. (Jon Jang, 2002) In an effort to complement his contributions to the Asian American musical scene, Jang has received an award from his former conservatory. He has also received a Golden ring award and has also been nominated severally by Cal Arts. Furthermore, Jang has been appreciated by the Ford Foundation for the immense contributions he made to American music. One cannot cover all the events that Jang has participated; in his capacity as a pianist, Jang has been to; -Europe -Canada -South Africa -The US One of the major highlights of these tours was his performance at the Arts Alive Festival in South Africa. While performing, Jang collaborated with Max Roach. Jang has also had the pleasure of performing in the London Royal Festival. Additionally, he has been to Berlin, Zurich and Milan in his capacity as an artist. Paul Robeson has appreciated Jang's work and so did the president of the Republic of China. There are also numerous collaborations done by this highly versatile artist. The major artist he has worked with is Max Roach. He has also joined forces with David Murray, James Newton and Maxine Hong. (Jon Jang, 2002) Not only has Jang done some

How Neighborhoods Chosen Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How Neighborhoods Chosen - Assignment Example mbers where they can have face-to-face social interactions and can also share common values, maintain effectual social control and socialize the youth. The following factors are considered when choosing neighborhoods: The social development of various geographical areas influences the interest of individuals to live in those neighborhoods. Social developed areas are places where there are improved schools that enable children to enjoy the luxury of learning subjects of their choices and have enough facilities to ensure students and teachers are comfortable. The places should have access to recreational facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, and sauna to make people physically fit. Wassmer (2000) stated that places that have improved social and cultural services attract people since they have connections and opportunities that encourage the citizens to interact and reach their highest potential. Neighborhoods that have many economic opportunities attract many citizens since they can get good job opportunities with high-income levels and with high income, the citizens are able to live comfortably since they can afford good housing facilities, better schools for their children and owning assets like cars. Neighborhoods that are located near major industries and markets encourage citizens to look for homes around since they are assured of better facilities from the industries and markets and even job opportunities (Ioannides, 2013). In addition, in such neighborhoods people are also able to start their own businesses because of the high population. People choose neighborhoods that enable them to have a stable physical and mental health. Regions that have access to health facilities like hospitals encourage people to live there since they are assured of places to go during emergencies. BlackMcDonald and McMillen (2011) stated that citizens consider the history of people with disabilities, illenesses, and medical care of the individuals living in various places and

World population Essay Example for Free

World population Essay Wouldn’t you love the peace of mind knowing there weren’t rats lurking in your walls? Rats create many problems in the world and I believe we should eliminate all rats. One reason rats need to be eliminated is they spread diseases. According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) rats spread hemmoragic fever, Lassa fever, Leptospinosis, and many more. Having rats running around infected with possibly fatal diseases is far too dangerous. To emphasize the deadly effect rats have, we can look at the Black Plague, in which millions of people were killed by a disease rats spread. In addition rats damage many houses and buildings. Damage caused by rats adds up to millions of dollars every year. Rats can easily chew through cinderblock and wood, making few buildings unprotected. The upkeep prices of a house are far too expensive alone, added rat damage bills are simply not needed. Furthermore, rats could very easily overpopulate. Overpopulation of rats will hurt food webs, spread even more disease and cause even more structure damage. A mating pair of rats can have five litters of seven to fifteen pups a year, with the pups becoming fertile at five weeks of age. In a vacuum environment a pair of rats could theoretically produce thousands to millions of descendants in a single year. One may think rats can be helpful because they can be eaten, but they also eat a large portion of human food. Rats are constantly at war with people because we eat the same food, they eat one-fifth to one-third of the world’s human food supply. Personally I think with people starving in the world we cannot have rats eating our food. To sum up rats may provide a few advantages but the number of disadvantages will triumph. To repeat, rats need to be exterminated. Citations:www.snohd.org/Shd_EH/Resources/Rats-LetsGetRidOfThem.pdf listverse.com/2012/04/09/top-10-fascinating-facts-about-rats/ Marrin, Albert. Oh Rats! New York Penguin Group 2006.

Alcoholism a Disease or Choice Essay Example for Free

Alcoholism a Disease or Choice Essay As is the case with other addictions, alcoholism is considered a disease by many in the medical community, including the American Medical Association. A drawback to framing alcoholism as a disease is that we tend to think of diseases as something that needs to be diagnosed by a professional, Young said. However, physicians often only meet with patients for a short time and cannot possibility have the same insight into an individuals habits as she herself. 1. Dont miss these Health stories 1. US races to make bird flu vaccine – just in case Less than two weeks after Chinese officials released the genetic sequence of a new type of bird flu, U. S. vaccine experts are well on the way to making a vaccine to protect people against it. 2. 1 in 4 skin cancer survivors skips sunscreen, study finds 3. A few see music all around them (literally) . Bad Picture Monday: Unflattering pics spur movement 5. ADHD diagnosis in kids can spotlight parents own condition I know of addicts who have been able to get a professional to tell them they are not addicted, and then use that as justification to continue their excessive drinking, Young said. The disease model also gives the false impression that alcoholism is solely a biological disorder, Young said, leading some researchers tend to adopt a narrow view, focusing on particular chemicals or brain cells that might be involved. We tend to look at smaller and smaller parts of the human body, and the human mind and the human brain, to find the cause of something, Young said. In doing so, we lose sight of the bigger picture, including social and cultural influences that may play a role in alcoholism development. Factors including who you spend time with, how many liquor stores are near you and your religious affiliation all are linked with how much you drink, Young said. Solutions Young said he prefers to use the word allergy to describe alcoholism. It is less threatening to consider the idea that one ight have an allergy than to consider the idea that one might be permanently diseased, Young said. With alcoholism, theres a dichotomy — you either are [an alcoholic] or yo ure not. And that sort of marks you as an individual — youre either normal or youre deviant. Young said. With allergies, the deviance is much less significant. In addition, drinkers should not feel they have to leave their diagnosis to a physician. People should give weight to their own experiences, including what they perceive their drinking is doing to their lives, Young said. Advertise | AdChoices Advertise | AdChoices Advertise | AdChoices Other experts point out that the problem of disease stigmatization or identity crisis is not unique to alcoholism. It really doesnt matter what illness you have; people have a sense of loss, said Dr. Ihsan Salloum, chief of the Division of Alcohol and Drug abuse at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; who also called the Youngs article more philosophical than scientific. The disease model has helped us understand alcoholism and develop drugs for the condition, Salloum said. However, Salloum agreed there is a need to take into account subjectivity when diagnosing and treating the condition. When somebody is suffering, its not only the organ thats suffering, its the whole person, Salloum said. If doctors want to help patients accept their diagnosis as an alcoholic, they should work to understand how the patient is processing whats happening to him or her, Salloum said. Pass it on: Viewing alcoholism as a disease may create problems in terms of diagnosing, treating and understanding the condition.