Abstract
The paper presents the research, design, analysis, literature review, interviews and conclusion regarding the use of marijuana as a "gateway drug." The paper shows how the evidence is mixed, however, the survey results indicate a possible relationship of initial marijuna use leading to Vicodin abuse.

From the Paper
""Gateway drugs" is a colloquial term that refers to drugs that may lead to abuse of other drugs or substances. Marijuana, for instance, is considered by some to act as a "gateway" or facilitator to the use of harder drugs. This study will try and add weight to the idea that marijuana abuse can potentially act as a gateway or pathway to the abuse of other drugs."

Tags:research, marijuana, gateway

Abstract
The paper defines gateway drugs as those which could open the doors to illicit drugs like hallucinogens, marijuana, cocaine, etc. The paper describes the discussions on whether alcohol and tobacco use among teenagers leads to marijuana use and shows that the pros and cons may vary but it denied that the proponents of the "gateway theory" do have a point. There are others who argue that the facts and figures do not corroborate this aspect, yet it still can be said that the teenager who experiments with tobacco and alcohol often proceeds to illicit drugs at a later stage. The paper concludes that it is ultimately the task of parents and society as a whole to ensure that children do not use drugs.

From the Paper
"How often have we heard cases of teenagers shooting down their classmates in broad daylight, resorting to cold-blooded murder for no apparent reason! It is not even necessary that they would have showed any signs of delinquency in the past. What could have prompted them to such gory acts? The reasons can by many, but nothing that family support and affection could not have prevented. Or even for that matter, a friend in school who is willing to listen. Very rarely are such cases medically triggered, as no one is born a criminal. A sad aspect is that a large number of suicides too occur, as there is no one to hear the agonizing cries of a stressed out soul. A teenager with, what he surmises are insurmountable problems."

Tags:National, Institute, of, Drug, Abuse, National, Household, Policy, on, Drug, Abuse, National, Drug, Control, Policy

From the Paper
" So-called gateway drugs are those believed to be drugs for beginners, or drugs that young people use which lead them to harder drugs later. The rationale for many marijuana laws has long been that marijuana is a gateway drug so that even if marijuana use is not a problem in itself, it is the beginning point for greater problems in the future. Other substances seen as having the potential to be gateway drugs include tobacco and alcohol. Some commentators argue that one or more of these substances serve a gateway function and that those who smoke, drink, or use marijuana are at risk for the use of harder drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or crack. Others point out that any relationship is tenuous and that those trying to prove a relationship are misusing statistics to show a cause-and-effect relationship where there is none. At most, they say, users of..."

Abstract
The paper explains many of the social theories as to why marijuana is deemed a gateway drug for harder illegal drugs. The paper discuses statistical evidence that many young people find it safe to use marijuana, which leads them to heavier narcotic progressions in adulthood.

From the Paper
"In sociology the study of cultural norms and social policies created by authorities is one aspect of the drug culture of marijuana that has been a problem in America. For many analysts, the study of marijuana has often been connected with what is called a "gateway" drug for higher level narcotics. The "drug culture" that defines this issue on low level drugs is often connected through societal norms that encourage the validity of marijuana within multiple addiction scenarios. The government, as the major authority on the illegality of marijuana, sets the law and then enforces a penalty for breaking the rules. In this manner, the moral foundation for deviancy is created not only by the government, but also by local ethical or religious groups that find a commonality for social deviancy (Becker 133). This two-fold creation of governmental authority and moral authority (Churches, social organizations, etc.) relates directly to why marijuana users are easily demonized, but more so, these institutions often categorize the drug as an early stage primer for harder drugs."

Tags:narcotics, addiction, illegality, deviancy, youth, cocaine, and, heroin

Abstract
This research paper sets out with the hypothesis that there will be a higher incidence of drug use in those who have used marijuana, and an even higher incidence of drug use for those who first tried marijuana at a younger age. The paper also determines that marijuana is linked to further drug experimentation mainly through the social processes involved with using marijuana rather than a biochemical response that happens in the user. In the paper, the conducts a survey and compares the results in order to prove his argument.

Outline:
Introducting
Literature Review
Hypothesis
Methodology
Results
Conclusion

From the Paper
''One problem that is always at the center of societal concern is drug use, especially among adolescents and young adults. Drug use is seen as a deviant act in the eyes of most societies. Additionally, 'hard drugs,' such as methamphetamine, cocaine/crack, and heroin are associated with other forms of deviance such as crime, delinquency, violence, and prostitution (Golub Johnson 2002). In 1988, there were approximately 10 million people using cocaine in this country (Clinard Meier 2008). This is a startling statistic, and it becomes even more troubling when cocaine and other drugs are highly prevalent in the populations of our youth. When there are high rates of drug abuse among our youth people wonder how we can reduce the alarming statistics, and what the root causes are for the behavior. One of the most prominent theories regarding a causal relationship associated with hard drug use is the gateway theory.''

Tags:sociology, marijuana, statistics

Abstract
In this paper, the writer discusses that the major factors of civic and social institutions define a connection between marijuana usage as a gateway for higher level drugs within American drug culture. Furthermore, the writer maintains that there is statistical evidence that many young people find it safer to use marijuana, which can be scientifically connected with neurological factors that prime individuals for heavier narcotic progressions in adulthood. The writer discusses that although the medical evidence does not always empirically prove marijuana as a physiological gateway drug, the social and institutional role that government imparts on the legality of drugs often places marijuana at the lowest deviancy in narcotics hierarchies.

Tags:marijuana, drugs, gateway

Abstract
This paper argues that the current war on drugs has been an extremely costly failure for the U.S. According to the author, current anti-drug policy -- which includes the use and sale of controlled substances -- is simply impossible to enforce. The author looks at the cost of the war on drugs, both in terms of lives and dollars that could be saved from switching priorities. Then the paper debates medical statistics, citing that (currently) illegal drugs result in many fewer deaths each year than legal ones, such as alcohol and tobacco. Finally, the paper deconstructs the commonly held belief that marijuana is a gateway drug. The paper concludes with the author's recommendation that drug use be decriminalized.

From the Paper
"The United States has been engaged in a "war on drugs" since the mid-1970s. The reported 59 percent decrease in illegal drug use has been achieved at a cost of an increase of 12,000 percent in the enforcement budget between 1973 and 1993. Attorney General Janet Reno has quoted federal officials as saying that in order for the interdiction of drugs entering the country to be effective, a total of 75 percent would have to be achieved. Since the amount officials claim has been interdicted is only 25 percent, even law enforcement policy makers admit that a successful interdiction program would be cost prohibitive."

Tags:war, on, drugs, law, education, treatement, marijuana, economy, police, enforcement, agency

From the Paper
"Drug abuse has been a major target for government action for some time now, with the rhetoric of the drug war indicating an all-out attack on those who grow, produce, sell, or use drugs. Teenage drug users in particular are a source of concern, and government efforts to convince young people not to use drugs have been considerable. There is evidence that teenage drug use has been reduced from the high it reached a decade or so ago, and though the rate remains relatively high, the trend seems to be downward. The reason for this is in dispute. It may have been brought about by government efforts to reduce teenage drug use, or it may have been caused by some other social forces.
A CNN report in 1999 noted that after years of rising numbers of teenage drug users, teenage use of a variety of.."

Abstract
This paper examines how drug use is rampant in American society. The focus of this paper is on the upper-echelons of society in order to demonstrate how widespread this phenomenon has become. The author's main subject is a white, upper-class male from a stable home, which breaks the myth that all drug users come from the lower-echelons of society. Through the process of interviewing the subject, Andrew, the author gives an intimate look into the life of a drug addict and ,in the process, breaks many of the myths surrounding drug use and those who use it in American society.

From the Paper
"It was during this time that Andrew began using marijuana. The use of marijuana was widespread among the academics, but was completely taboo amongst the townspeople. The townspeople viewed marijuana as a dangerous drug, and viewed the people who used it in as "drug users." Andrew saw the townspeople as being completely hypocritical in their adamant stance against marijuana, since they were chronic and constant users of alcohol. Andrew notes that the academics got their extremely high-grade marijuana from local growers, at what he refers to as a "kick-ass" cost. Andrew also visited Amsterdam during his tenure as a graduate student. He spent six weeks, alone in Amsterdam, for the purpose of writing his thesis. Andrew notes that he says that he spent "almost every minute stoned out of (his) tree." Amsterdam was a liberating time for him, as drug use is decriminalized, and liberal attitudes about drugs do not "demonize" the user as they do in the United States."

Tags:alcohol, marijuana, gateway, evidence, experiences

Abstract
The use of marijuana on college campuses is one of the most contentious issues facing the academic world today. Marijuana is widely used within American society, despite widespread anti-drug lobbies and prevention campaigns. This paper shows that the effects of marijuana have been said to include effects on memory, negative social effects and health effects like cancer, immune damage, and respiratory problems. Additionally, anti-marijuana groups often point to marijuana as a ?gateway? drug and note that marijuana use can potentially be dangerous while driving. The paper shows, however, in contrast, many scientists contend that marijuana is largely misunderstood and may have many positive medical uses. Given this debate, it becomes difficult to determine how marijuana use should be regulated or prevented, especially given the stunning inability of current approaches to stop the growth of marijuana use among young people. The paper shows that decriminalization of the drug is one likely candidate, coupled with stiff penalties for driving under the influence of marijuana or selling marijuana to children. The complexities of the political, social, and scientific aspects of this debate ensure that the problem of marijuana use on college campuses will not be easily solved.

From the Paper
"Many scientists and drug experts argue that marijuana is a deeply misunderstood drug. In fact, Rosenthal, Kubby, and Newhart argue that marijuana is "one of the most benign substances known to man." They suggest that the current criminalization of marijuana came from needlessly worried parents and liquor and pharmaceutical companies that were worried about losing market share. They argue that most of the evidence against marijuana is either misinterpreted or false. Further, they argue that the government's anti-drug policy is driven by political and social reasoning, rather than any strong scientific evidence of the dangers of marijuana use (Rosenthal, Kubby, and Newhart). Further, Earleywine and Marlatt provide some convincing evidence that marijuana use does not impair the grade of college students who use the drugs."

Tags:NIDA, joints, cannabis