What makes communities unhealthy? (Rogerian Argument)

In this world, both healthy and unhealthy communities exist. Healthy communities are made up of positive traits, and on the other hand unhealthy communities are made up of negative traits. Yes they are negative traits as they are positive traits. Negative traits are usually to blame for creating unhealthy communities. One of the many negative traits that plague unhealthy communities is drugs. People who use drugs, the companies that manufacture drugs, and those who trade drugs make up a very unhealthy community. Let's take a look at this unhealthy community trait.

One of the many causes from the unhealthy trait is The pharmaceutical industry. According to an article written by Mukherji Prokriti from King's College, the pharmaceutical industry uses about $27 billion for TV advertisements. However, the advertisements uses a pull strategy that advises patients to ask their doctor about the promoted prescription drug. This article also states that in 1997, the FDA allowed specific brand advertisements on TV. This policy led to a massive rise in advertisements as well as sales for prescription drugs. The author also states that nearly 20 million Americans are currently taking some form of prescription drug on a daily basis. However, this is not the only cause of this unhealthy community.

Another article written by Bo Wang discusses off label marketing and prescribing drugs. The article states that manufacturers of pharmaceuticals One of the incidents relating to off labeling was having to do with the switch to generic suppliers for prescription drugs. The decrease was also in part of Warner-Lambert's settlement with the federal government to end off-label prescription drugs which costed millions of dollars. Marketing and off-labeling are both making communities unhealthy.

However, some may disagree that marketing does not make drugs the problem within communities. According to the article titled, "Junkies, Wasters, and Thieves." written by Dr. Claire Meehan of the University of Aukland says that people use drugs for a different reason. The article states that people use drugs because it gives them a sense of relief. Also because people want to escape their problems since feel better on drugs that being off of them also stated in the mentioned article. Even though marketing is to blame for imposing drugs on communities, people who abuse drugs can also be the cause too.

The solution to this problem is to teach our children about the dangers of what drugs can do to you which it is discussed in Dr. Meehan's article. Children in Northern Ireland are taught in school on how bad drugs can do to a person as well as its consequences too. No, this is not forcing opinions onto a child, but it is better from them to learn rather than no one tell them drugs are bad. Also I know advertisements are usually useless, but "ask your doctor" is a line that should be taken seriously. A physician who knows what drug can a help a certain illness can help the community. If many people will know what drugs can do to you, the community would become much healthier with prior knowledge.