The Connection Between War and Drug Addiction: Essay Sample

Introduction

War, which is a culmination of conflict and drug addiction, are two things that are closely related in many cases. They are synonyms to each other because one drives the other and the converse is true. When an individual is overly addicted to drugs, the continuous consumptions of the drug impairs a sound judgment. Such an individual have no rationale in matters that are sensitive to human life. The reckless means of approaching an issue with such individuals normally have a far-reaching impact as far as peace disruption is concerned (Bergen-Cico, 2015). As a result of the impaired judgment, it is easy for such people to resort to violence which may cause conflict and war. For instance, alcohol and other illegal drug abuse have in many cases connected to an eruption of violence in romantic and non-romantic relationships. One of the researchers from the university's injury center advert has confirmed the same that there is no variance in the connection between drug and violence in youth. In fact, sedative, stimulants, and depressants all of which fall into the category are the cause of violence and conflict.

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From the Social Conflict Theory point of view, a drug is primary problem of the structural problem and class conflict. While the act of substance or drug abuse is virtually omnipresent in the entire society, Social Conflict Theory makes an argument that the minorities, the low class in the strata together with the marginalized groups are likely to suffer the negative consequences of a result of drug abuse (Bergen-Cico, 2015). Nevertheless, what can be said about war, conflict, or violence as far as to drug addiction is concerned? From a scholarly perspective, finances obtained from the sale of drugs fuel many wars. It is imperative that no one can trade on a commodity that he or she does not consume. For instance, in Afghanistan, opium reduction scaled up when the Soviet invasion took place. This is because the local lost control, of their territory. The mujahidin took over the place, and the production of the local legal cash crops and food crops declined, but the use of opium and heroin leveled up in the process. This created a situation where the remnants communities commenced a significant production of opium in place if the cash crops.

One case in which drug was used during the war was the era of Napoleon. These war were called Napoleonic wars that took place in the 1800s. These were series of conflicts that were waged between the French and the rest of Europe. These people were hell-bent to kick Bonaparte away from his pedestal abode. Britain at the time was in a position of the legendary navy and numerous hoards of drunken infantrymen who led the charge against Bonaparte. During this time, the use of alcohol was far encouraged among the British troops as a way to guard against diseases as well as "boosting their morale." Alcohol became so popular among the British that some of their soldiers were known to spend almost a month wages drinking alcohol in a sitting (Bergen-Cico, 2015). In this instance, the conflict is seen to act as a prerequisite for involvement in acts of violence or war.

In his research, Karl Marx presents an explanation using social conflict theory to explain the connection between drug and conflict. He posits a mode; of the theory, which presents society as a place, occupied by different groups who pursues own interests independently and against their interest in other groups. In such competition, the groups are competing for the resources and power over a period, and some groups will outdo others (Rubin, 2007). The social order, which is established by the dominating groups generally, is repressive to the minority. One of the many ways the dominant group does this by using the law as well as legal processes discriminately as they reinforce status quo. The minority groups will certainly resist by deviating from the societal norms engaging in conflict and abusing drugs to "help" them become defiant causing addiction.

In the middle east, Syria in particular, drug trafficking has remained one of the viable source of fund to both organized crime groups and terrorist groups within the civil conflict. This has in one way set a strong precedent, which is exemplified by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Most of the terrorist activities there are funded by undertakings of trafficking opium (Rubin, 2007). With conflict continually erupting in Syria, there is a close link between drug addiction and the battle itself. One implication is that the armed groups are therefore having substantial access to findings translating to their might to wage war longer and more violently (Bergen-Cico, 2015). When they wage war with robustness, they become perceived as legitimate political groups, which will call for popular support. This fuels and makes conflict more complex, such conflicts have far-reaching consequences maiming civilian who are tempted to join the rebel groups. When they join the rebel camps, the far becomes entrenched in the society without ceasing as a result of the drug.

References

Bergen-Cico, D. K. (2015). War and drugs: The role of military conflict in the development of substance abuse. Routledge.

Rubin, B. R. (2007). Saving Afghanistan. Foreign affairs, 57-78.