an essay on money is the root of all evils
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Most people hold the false belief that they are unable to live without money; therefore, they condition their lives from early childhood to gain wealth by whatever means possible. This conning into the love of money has resulted in various forms of evils such as stealing, kidnapping, and illegal use of drugs, which have destroyed many lives and families. Among these, illegal use of drugs is one of the most discouraged habits in the Western society because of its widespread effects. In order to gain wealth, most people have propagated the use of drugs. The abuse of drugs is a dangerous problem in this century. Drugs have become a component of the lives of most people who depend on them for such things as pleasure, depression, and medical relief. Currently, there is much controversy regarding the use of drugs...
Several nations in the world have regulations that are intended to criminalize some drug use. However, it is interesting to note that in most cases the legislation is self-referential which defines abuse according to what is made illegitimate and lists all the drugs specified by the legislation. These drugs are referred to as illegal. However, in true sense, what is illicit pertains to their unauthorized production, distribution, and ownership. Some countries refer to them as controlled substances. Because of the love of money, many world leaders have tolerated this practice in order to preserve their positions in power.
Various influential social factors can motivate one to abuse drugs. These include, "curing an illness, providing relaxation, relieving stress or anxiety, trying to escape reality, self-medicating, heightening awareness, wanting to distort and change visual, auditory, or sensual inputs, or the need to strengthen ones confidence" (Hanson, Venturelli, and Fleckenstein, 6). Perceptions about the use of drugs taken from the values of other drug addicts, the traditions in the society, and the addict's personal experiences with using drugs are also considered as influential social factors. The reaction of the society to the use of various drugs changes with time and place. For example, currently, opium is considered as an illicit drug. It is widely condemned as a pathogen (a major cause of diseases). However, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it was considered as a legal drug. More so, it was commonly praised as a panacea (a treatment for all manner of diseases).
Every year, a lot of money is used in advertising alcohol and tobacco products to consumers with the aim of reaching as many potential customers as possible. For example, Kirsh points out that in 2006 alone, almost $1 billion was spent to advertise alcohol on television screens (158). This represented a twenty-seven percent increase from 2001. Despite the many deaths that result from alcohol consumption, the media has not stopped airing these advertisements. Surely, the love of money is the root of all evils! However, there are few, if any, advertisements that are intended to promote the use of illegal drugs. Tobacco and alcohol advertisements give the false image that the use of such drugs is regarded as a positive and a normative activity for the people who are living in the modern world.