Effects on the Body
The health and social consequences of drug abuse AIDS, TB, violence,
fetal effects, disruptions in the family, workplace, and educational
environments, have devastating effects on society and cost billions of
dollars annually. As a result, the consequences of drug abuse go far
beyond the individual drug abuser. Many variables are present in the
lives of drug abusers, including socioeconomic status, educational
achievement, co-occurring psychiatric problems, access to health care,
employment status, and many others (Drug Abuse Research, 1996).
In the Drug Abuse Research, they use the example of the actor Heath Ledger, who was discovered deceased in his New York residence at the beginning of 2008. The twenty-eight-year-old Australian actor, who was already one of the industry’s brightest growing stars, experienced agony because of taking on physically challenging roles. In addition, he was clinically depressed and had trouble falling asleep. And so, shortly before Ledger died, he was known to be taking not fewer than six medications—drugs just before he passed away. These were meds that helped him sleep, manage his pain, and change his mood. The combination of medications proved fatal because they slowed down the functions of his organs, particularly his lungs. “His breathing probably got slower and slower until it stopped altogether.” So, according to Hunter, Ledger died of “Poly-drug intoxication” (Drug Abuse Research, 1996).