International Media Communication Research Paper

International Media Communication - Research Paper Example With the free flow of information in the international arena, where the participants in the other countries now possess better accessibility to the facts and issues faced by the neighboring countries, the international media communication channels such as the news media are often criticized of being influenced by the socio-cultural and political biases or else raising the risk of ‘false consciousness’ and even ‘racial stereotyping’ (Barnhurst, 2005; Media Monitoring Project, 1999). Based on these aspects, the discussion henceforth will intend to illustrate and critically review two news stories presented from distinct ideologies by two international media channels, the Fox News of the United States and The Guardian of the United Kingdom. The stories have been selected based on the same issue, the recent support of President Mr. Barack Obama of same-sex marriages in the United States. Background of the Story: President Obama’s Support of Same-Sex Marri age Same-sex marriages have long been under critical scrutiny by social and political institutions in the United States. Even though six states of the geopolitical region of the United States, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New York, have legally permitted the performance of same-sex marriages, the federal law yet restricts the act to be accredited openly in the American society. Apparently, the depiction of agreeability or vice-versa of the legal approval for same-sex marriages has emerged to be a base for distinction between social groups. In the social context of America, the polarization based on same-sex marriage accreditations has been apparent since the implementation of the policy measure â€Å"Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell† by the former President Mr. Bill Clinton in the year 1992. This policy measure placed emphasis on restricting the open depiction of homosexual behavior, especially within the military base (Singer, 2008). This polar ization in the American society has become more perceptible with the statement in favor of homosexual marriages made by the President Obama to the ABC News. In his words, â€Å"...I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married† (Klein, 2012). This particular appraisal by the current President of the United States attracted a mass attention not only in the national context but also from the international horizon, making an obvious presence in the international media channels. Recently, after being aired in the news media, the support of Mr. Barack Obama came reverberating in the Fox News as well as in The Guardian, the former being a renowned tabloid in the United States and the latter in the United Kingdom. However, in both the narratives a distinct ideology can be examined in the course of illustrating the statements connoted by the American President. Where the narra tion or the story portrayed by the Fox News can be identified as highly

Materialistic Americans Essay Example for Free

Materialistic Americans Essay â€Å"With these words I can sell you anything† by William Lutz and â€Å"At sale at Old Navy: Cool Clothes for Identical Zombies! † by Damien Cave the readings explain how Americans are fooled into purchasing so many unnecessary things that most of the time don’t do what they promise when advertised as well as how the buyers themselves are blinded and don’t realized that they are wasting money, all because of the value of their pride and their need to be better than everyone else yet they are doing the same things as millions of other Americans. Although it seems correct that most people should be materialistic, it’s not a good thing because this form of living is damaging American’s values in many ways and advertisements are just making it worst. In Cave’s excerpt he explains how most Americans have become so materialistic now and that it’s becoming a big issue. In one part Cave says, â€Å"Consumers are being scammed, says Klein, arguing that stores like Old Nave and Ikea are duping millions, inspiring mass conformity while pretending to deliver high culture to the masses† (109). This explains how Americans are so gullible when it comes to buying products because most of the time they don’t really look into what they are buying they just want to own what everyone else has because that makes them â€Å"fit† it into this materialistic society because it’s all about hierarchy and who’s on top of everyone else. â€Å"Klein and Frank say that few consumers recognize just how conformist their consumption habits have become† (Cave 109). Some people do realize that they do over spend but they still don’t do anything about it because they always want more. There are many adults that think that buying so many things for themselves and their families is good because people always want to have the best things that are out there for their loved ones without realizing that they’re just giving money away to things they don’t really need. â€Å"At virtually every opening of Old Navy’s and Ikea’s stores-in the New York, Chicago, and San Francisco areas, for example- tens of thousand of people appeared in the first few days. Even now, long after the stores first opened, lines remain long† (Cave 110). Americans value so much their pride to be over achievers and be better than everyone else they come across but yet they aren’t much different from other people because they spend as much as every other person who might not have that much money because everyone’s values are similar. In Lutz’s excerpt he explains how Advertisements usually don’t promise what they offer and take people for fools but yet people keep buying more. He states, The biggest weasel word used in advertising doublespeak is ‘help’† (114). He explains how people are manipulated into buying products all the time that will help them with a desire objective and they are influenced by the advertisements. The things that people wear, drink, eat, etc are all influenced by something or someone, how else did they ever hear or see about those products. Advertisements are everywhere, people that see all these advertisements of products think those products apply to them because they know everyone else that will see them will want them too and they don’t to feel left out in not being part of the revolution of that product. Lutz also says, â€Å"Whenever advertisers want you to stop thinking about the product and to start thinking about something bigger, better, or more attractive than the product, they use that very popular weasel word, ‘like’† (119). American’s values are on risk when it comes to advertisements because people want their families to be well and grow a certain way, but that can’t happen when their television and billboards selling things that are out of the comfort of some people. Only by becoming an active, critical consumer of the double speak of advertising will you ver be able to cut through the doublespeak and discover what the ad is really saying† (Lutz 120). Americans value so much their pride and the liberty to do whatever they want that they think buying so much stuff applies to them. Americans also value their Independence in this country but it’s also being ruined by advertisements because how can people be independent when they are buying the same things as everyone else and are being exploited all at the same time? If people keep getting sucked into buying every little thing they see hey will doing the opposite of what they believe in, they will just be shaming who they are as Americans. Americans need to realize that buying everything that is advertised isn’t doing them any good. they will lose so much money on things they don’t really need and all for what? to be better than everyone else? People have forgotten about being independent and doing their own thing when it comes to having a different lifestyle from others. How can they take pride in themselves when they are just alike to everyone else and that’s what the readings explain, to not be gullible when it comes to this topic

Odors In Wastewater Treatment Plant Environmental Sciences Essay

Odors In Wastewater Treatment Plant Environmental Sciences Essay An upland reservoir in an area of a sheep farming area which is known to be soft and to have unacceptable taste and color with a pH of 5.5. A network of pumped wells delivering anaerobic groundwater from chalk aquifer. The possibility exists that there may be pathogenic organisms in the supply, together with the significant quantities of iron and manganese. Compare and contrast the possible water treatment strategies which may be required for the two sources. You should identify other quality test which you would recommend as essential before undertaking a detailed design of either option. Before recommending an essential water treatment strategy, we should know about the reservoir management. Water storage before use results in:- Reduction in Suspended Solids (SS) and color due to natural sedimentation. Reduction in pathogens due to self-purification. Minimize the fluctuation in the water quality thus enhance the treatment. Water storage also may lead to:- Algae growth which in turn will lead to increase in turbidity, smell, pH and even color. Increase in Iron and Manganese content present in soil. Thermal stratification causing variation in water chemistry and characteristics with little intermixing behind the reservoir. Color, Taste and Odor:- Hues in water is due to natural materials like iron and manganese; vegetable origins, humus materials, insoluble particles of soil, organic and microorganism. The true color of water is considered to be only that attributable to substance in solution after removal of suspended materials by centrifuging or filtration. Taste can be affected by inorganic salts or metal ions, a variety of organic chemicals found in nature or products of biological growths. Algae are the most frequent cause of taste and odor problems. According to Metcalf Eddy, Inc., the main sources of these are from (1) Septic wastewater containing hydrogen sulfide and odorous compounds, (2) Industrial wastes being discharged into the collection system, (3) Seepage handling facilities, (4) Screenings and unwanted grit, (5) Scum on primary settling tanks, (6) [Bio solids]-thickening tanks, (7) [Bio solids]-conditioning and dewatering faculties, (8) [Bio solids] incineration, (9) Digested [bio solids] in drying beds or [bio solids]-holding basins, (10) [Bio solids]-composting operations. pH:- pH is used to express the intensity of an acid or alkaline solution. A pH of 7 is neutral, if pH less than 7 its acidic, and pH greater than 7 is alkaline. Acidity is the measure of carbon dioxide and other solution. Strong inorganic acid acidity exists below pH 4.5; carbon dioxide acidity (carbonic acid) is between pH 4.5 to 8.3.Water should be close to pH 7 as possible. Possible Solutions:- A detailed raw water quality analysis (physical, chemical, biological characteristics) of the water should be done to establish a suitable strategy for treatment. Due to thermal stratification in different seasons, height of draw off point may need to be seasonally adjusted. Before treatment, the effectiveness of chemical coagulation of waste should be experimentally evaluated in the laboratory by using Jar Test. To reduce color, chemical coagulation and granular-media filtration is required. Odors in Wastewater Treatment Plant Odor Location Problem Possible Solution Earthy, musty Primary and secondary units No problem (normal) None required Trickling filters Septic conditions More air/less BOD Secondary clarifiers Septic conditions Remove sludge Chlorine contact Septic conditions Remove sludge General plant Septic conditions Good housekeeping Chlorine like Chlorine contact tank Improper chlorine dosage Adjust chlorine dosage controls Industrial odors Inadequate pretreatment General plant Enforce sewer use regulation Source:Spellman, F.R.,The Science of Water, Technomic Publ.,1998. Taste and odor can be enhanced by: Aeration:-Since the odor compound are often dissolved gases that can be stripped from the solution. Carbon adsorption:-Its the most effective way; Activated carbon can be introduced in any stage of processing before filtration where adequate mixing is available to disperse the carbon and where the contact time is 15 min or more before sedimentation or filtration. Oxidation:-It can be done by chlorination, chlorine dioxide, potassium permanganate, or ozone. For water less than pH 6, feed pumps inject a neutralizing solution of sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide at the inlet. The dosage to be provided can be found out using Jar Test. In The Use of Soda Ash and Caustic Soda to Alter pH (Glenda M. Herman, 2013) it is stated that for water between pH 4 and pH 6, use soda ash mixed with water. Feed this solution in the source at a rate to raise the pH to 7 farthest from the source. Anyhow the basic system for treatment might be: Pretreatment Any process to modify the microbial water quality before the entry to a treatment plant; Coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation Process by which small particles interact to form larger particles and finally settle out by gravity; Ion exchange Process used for removal of calcium, magnesium some radionuclides; Granular filtration Process in which water passes through a bed of granular materials after coagulation; Slow sand filtration Process in which water is passed slowly through a sand filter by gravity, without the use of coagulation. Answer (b):- The biological organisms in the water or wastewater are called the pathogens. They are organisms, capable of transmitting diseases in humans. These waterborne pathogens include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic worms. Attributes of the Three Waterborne Pathogens in Water Treatment Organism Size(m) Mobility Points of Origin Resistance to Disinfection Bacteria 0.1-10 Motile; nonmotile Humans and animals; water; contaminated food Type specific-bacterial spores typically have the highest resistance whereas vegetative bacteria have the lowest resistance Viruses 0.0-0.01 Nonmotile Humans and animals; polluted water; contaminated food Generally more resistant than vegetative bacteria Protozoa 1-28 Motile; nonmotile Humans and animals; sewage; decaying vegetation; water More resistant than viruses or vegetative bacteria Source:Spellman, F.R.,The Science of Water, Technomic Publ., 1998. There are various processes for removal of microbes from water. In particular, it discusses: Pretreatment oxidation -Process in which oxidants are added to water in the treatment process. This helps in: Maximize the contact time with the oxidant; Oxidize the compounds for subsequent removal by treatment process(e.g. iron or manganese); Provide initial treatment in sufficient time for water to be further treated if necessary (e.g. oxidation of taste and odor compounds); Control growth of microorganisms and higher organisms on intake structures and treatment basins; Improve the particle removal in clarification and filtration processes. Primary disinfection Process is a component of primary treatment of water and important because filter media do not remove all pathogens from water. Different types of disinfectant are Chlorine Mono chlorine, Chlorine dioxide, Ozone, UV light Mixed oxidants Secondary disinfection This process is used to maintain the water quality which we got at the treatment plant throughout the distribution system. Iron and Manganese Removal These are found in groundwater, industrial waste, and as by-products of pipeline corrosion.. They dont cause health related problems, but are not good because they cause aesthetic problems. Aesthetic problems associated with iron and manganese is: 1. Staining of plumbing fixtures 2. Discoloration of water (iron red water, manganese black or brown water) 3. Stimulates the growth of microorganisms. 4. Impart a bitter taste to the water Some of the economic problems caused are damage to textiles, dye, paper, and food. It may clog pipes and corrode through them. Iron residue in pipes decreases carrying capacity increases pumping head. Iron and Manganese Removal Techniques Precipitation: Precipitation (or pH adjustment) of these from water in their solid forms can be done in treatment plants by adding lime adjusting the pH of the water. Some of the precipitate will settle down by time, while the rest is easily removed by sand filters. This process requires pH level of the water to between of 10 to 11. Oxidation: It is the common methods of removing these, usually followed by settling and filtration. Air, chlorine, or potassium permanganate can be used for oxidizing. Ion Exchange: The ion exchange process is mostly used to soften hard water, it will remove all soluble iron and manganese. The water is passed through a bed of resin which adsorbs the undesirable ions, replacing them with less troublesome ions. Sequestering: Sequestering or stabilization can be used when the water contains low concentration of iron, when the volumes needed are comparatively small. This process does not remove the manganese and iron from the water, but binds it chemically with other ions in soluble form that will not li come out of solution Aeration: The physical process uses air to oxidize the manganese and iron. The water is pumped up to the air or allowed to fall directly over an aeration device. The air oxidizes and this is then removed by use of a filter. The lime is often added to raise the pH. Q2. Secondary wastewater treatment may involve biological treatment using either fixed film or free-film systems. Discuss, using diagrams where appropriate, which type of system might be more appropriate for treating the wastewater from a small market town with a population of 20,000. The town is situated alongside a sensitive lowland river from which a major water supply is abstracted further downstream. Your answer should explain, among others: the advantages and disadvantages of fixed-film and fixed film systems for secondary biological treatment; the typical effluent characteristics of each type of treatment system when operating in a standard, conventional mode; the specific needs of sensitive rivers with regards to nutrients loading, especially nitrogen and phosphorous compounds; the implications of discharging high nutrients into receiving streams being used as water supply sources; the implications of discharging high nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus compounds to receiving rivers from a water quality management viewpoint; the details of any proposed modifications to the conventional systems which you would consider might be adopted in these circumstances to reduce (manage) the nutrients and the cost implications for these. Answer:- The purpose of secondary treatment (biological treatment) is to provide removal of BOD beyond what is achieved by primary treatment. Secondary treatment process (biological treatment process) can be separated into two categories: fixed film systems and free film system (suspended growth systems). Fixed film systems: These are processes that use a biomass or slime (biological growth) which is attached to some form of film or media. Wastewater is allowed to passes over or around the film and the slime. When the slime and wastewater are in contact, the organisms oxidize the organic solids. The film may be stone, synthetic materials or any substance that is durable, should provide a huge area for slime growth an open space for ventilation. Fixed film system includes trickling filters, bio towers and RBCs. Suspended growth systems: These are processes that use a biomass (biological growth) that is mixed with the sewage. They can be used in smaller space than trickling filter that treats the same amount of water. A typical free film system includes the activated sludge process. There are a variety of these secondary treatment, we will discuss about the following conventional processes used: Trickling Filter. Activated Sludge. TRICKLING FILTERS: In most wastewater treatment, the trickling filter is used after the primary treatment. This process is a fixed film method designed to remove suspended solids and BOD. It consists of a rotating distribution arm that sprays the influent over a circular bed of rocks, synthetic media, or other coarse materials. The spaces between the film helps to circulate air easily so that aerobic conditions is maintained. The space allows waste to trickle down through and over the media. Organic matter in the water diffuses into the media, where it is metabolized. Periodically, a portion of the film sloughs off the media material and is collected at bottom of filter. This is passes on to the secondary settling tank along with the treated wastewater, where it is removed. The overall performance of filter is depended on hydraulic and organic loading, recirculation and temperature. Appropriate for small to medium sized communities (15000 to 20000) peoples. http://www.sswm.info/sites/default/files/toolbox/TILLEY%202008%20Trickling%20Filter.jpg TRICKLING FILTERS SOURCE: http://www.sswm.info/category/implementation-tools/wastewater-treatment/hardware/semi-centralised-wastewater-treatments/t Advantages/Disadvantages Advantages Good Quality(80-90% BOD removal) for 2nd stage efficiency could reach 95% Moderate operating cost(less than activated sludge) Withstands shock loads than other processes Simple and reliable process and can be used were large area not available. Very efficient in removal of ammonia Disadvantages High capital costs Clogging of distributors or beds. Snail, mosquito and insect problems. Generate sludge that must be treated Regular operators attention is needed. Relatively high incidence of clogging. Additional treatment may be needed for the effluent to meet strict discharge standards. ACTIVATED SLUDGE: In this process influent and activated sludge is aerated and agitated. The activated sludge is finally separated from the treated mixed liquor by process called sedimentation and is returned to the reactor as needed. The treated waste flows over the weir of the settling tank in which it is separated from the sludge. Wastewater is fed into an aerated tank, where the microorganisms (activated sludge) metabolize and flocculate the organics. These are settled from the aerated mixed liquor in the final clarifier and are returned to the aeration tank. A portion of the concentrated solids are removed from the bottom of the settling tank from the process. Clear supernatant fluid from the final settling tank is the plant effluent. This process is effective to treat large volumes of flow (10000 to 1000000) people. http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module21/images/WastewaterAeration.jpg ACTIVATED SLUDGE SOURCE: http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module21/WhattoRemove-WW.htm Advantages/Disadvantages Advantages Flexible, can adapt pH, organic and temperature changes. Small area required. Degree of nitrification is controllable. Relatively minor odor problems. Low construction cost. Removes high percent of BOD. Disadvantages High operating cost. Generated solids requiring sludge disposal. Some process alternatives are sensitive to shock loads and metallic or other poisons. Requires continuous air supply. For a small population of 20000 and river being so sensitive I recommend using Trickling Filter would be more advisable for the town. Excess nitrogen and phosphorous compounds can over stimulate the growth of aquatic weeds and algae. Excess growth of these organisms can blue baby syndrome. Apply two-thirds to three-fourths of the planned fertilizer nitrogen just before the crop enters a period of rapid growth. Proper timing ensures maximum daily nitrogen uptake and minimizes the likelihood of unused nitrogen leaching below the plant roots. Apply a reasonable amount of nitrogen to your crop. When grain and forage yields are low, less nitrogen will be removed with the grain, silage, or hay crop or by grazing. Because a soil test is not a reliable means of predicting nitrogen response, consider analyzing plant samples collected early in a period of rapid growth. The need for additional nitrogen can be determined and applied before the crop matures. If your crop will follow peanuts, soybeans, or forage legumes (clover or alfalfa) of average or greater yield, reduce the amount of nitrogen you apply. Soybeans and peanuts may provide 20 to 40 pounds of carryover nitrogen per acre. A strong alfalfa stand may provide 80 to 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre for the next crop. Be sure to analyze animal, municipal, and industrial wastes for nitrogen content when applied to cropland. Guard against dumping, as this practice may contaminate water with excess nitrate. Throughout the sandy soil surfaces of the coastal plain, do not apply nitrogen in the fall for springplanted crops. Piedmont fields may receive some nitrogen (up to one-half of crop needs) for springplanted crops.

William Goldings Lord of the Flies Lord Of The Flies: Piggy, Ralph, Ja

Lord Of The Flies is possibly one of the most complex novels of the twentieth century. This complexity and depth is evident when the characters are compared to the psychological teachings of Freud. The book shows examples of this psyche in the characters Jack, Piggy and Ralph and how they change during their time on the island. Towards the end of the eighth chapter it became very apparent that Piggy and Jack both had two very different ideas on how they would survive. Jack thinks that hunting and having fun is key, Jack is more worried with instant gratification and doesn’t worry about what will happen off the island he worries about having fun and living on the island. Piggy is only concerned with keeping the fire lit and getting off the island. Unlike Jack, Piggy believes more in thinking about the future, how they will be saved and how they can endure the time they are on the island. When the fire goes out Piggy cries out at Jack, who was in charge of the fire, â€Å" You and your blood, Jack Merridew! You and your hunting! We might have gone home.† This shows the extent of Piggy’s will to be rescued. As a result of these major differences Jack decides to head down the beach and build a new tribe. He tells the others on the island that with his new clan â€Å"we hunt and feast and have fun†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Chap. 8 p140) by announcing this he appeals to the childish more uncivilized collection of the kids. The boys recognized that Jack was a stronger and more self-sufficient chief so many ch...

American Indians (Native Americans) Drug And Alcohol Use

People who engages in substance abuse like drugs, alcohol and tobacco have their own different reason, some maybe complicated but whets evident is that the society plays a significant role why theses people are involve in substance abuse. The consequence for this abuse is seen in our hospitals and emergency departments through the direct damage to health by substance abuse and its relation to physical trauma. Those who are jailed and go to prison are known to have a strong connection to substance abuse and dependence.A high percentage of this substance abuse is very evident among the American Natives. American Natives are the indigenous people from the region of North Africa now encompassed by the continental United States. They comprise a large number of distinct tribes and ethnic groups, they are also known as American Indians or the first nation’s people. American Indians represent a unique population within the U. S not only because of their oppression suffered from the de velopment of the country but also in gaining recognition. The long history of oppression in the U.S. had a devastating effect on the health and well-being of the natives. The history of these people includes the colonization, outlawing their practices and languages and forced relocation, which created the mistrust on the U. S programs. This event continues to affect the experiences of the natives which are impacted by poverty, ill health, family violence and drug and alcohol abuse. According to the survey made by the National Household survey on Drug Abuse about fifty percent of teenagers nowadays are engage in alcohol drinking.The figures show that 80 percent of these are Natives youth engaging in both alcohol drinking and drug use. This happens because these youths are predisposed to different factors like cultural conflict, post-traumatic stress and low self esteem that increase the risks of these youth to additional hazards in their environment. (Gale 2000) According to the repo rts made by the NSDUH, among the other racial groups, American Indians suffer from substance abuse greatly. The National Drug survey and health examines the rates of substance abuse like drugs and alcohol among the American Indians aged 12 and older.During 2002-2005, American Indians aging 12 and above are already engaged in alcohol drinking. American Indians male shows a high percentage of drinking than those of the other racial groups in the past year. This report also shows that American Indians have high percentage than other racial groups in terms of drug use and disorders. (Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders among American Indians and Alaska Natives 2007) A national Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention task Force was established under the National Congress of American Indians in September 2000.This aim for the leadership involvement and expand the efforts and membership of the National committee to include a wider and more diverse geographically representative group of Tribal leaders throughout Indian Country. This helps prevent the tribes, tribes’ leaders, elders, adults and youth recognize the value of preventing alcohol and substance abuse to preserve the overall well being of the community, the culture and traditions. It developed and established a strong political leverage that will support initiatives for alcohol and substances abuse prevention in Indian country.It also aims to improve the incidence of alcohol and substance neglect for any adult and youth and to recognize that prevention must take place for all our people, not just early life and that it is a long development. Approximately 1. 5% of the U. S is composed of these Native Americans which are American Indians, and with this high percentage is the problem it inflicts as well. Traditional natives’ values when clashed with the values of the domain society, cultural conflict arise. Native youth are mostly affected by this are caught up in confusion about their identity and self image.Conflicts arise in coping up with their adolescence as well as to their identity as an Indian. This may produce a harmful effect in terms of the racial discrimination and oppression that they may get involve with because of their native background, hence this becomes a factor for native youth to engage in alcohol and drug abuse as a form of an escape from the society to which they belong. Because of the pressure and the stress due to the cultural conflict related to the low socio-economic status among the natives this causes a great increase in the risks of those who are engaged in alcohol and substance abuse.Acculturation is one of the many factors why natives engage in substance abuse. This is a stressful and causes a lot of conflict for the natives in order to cope with the stress and pressure alcohol and drug use are often the coping mechanism in this situation. An approach used to prevent substance abuse among the American Indians is called bicultural c ompetence skills. This approach helps American Indian youth to combat the substance use and its related problem. This was first advanced by LaFromboise, wherein its way is to blend the adaptive values and roles of both the culture in which they are raised and by which they are surrounded.Its roles are in the knowledge and practice in communication, coping, and discrimination skills which provide the theoretical foundation in the prevention of substance abuse to the American native’s youth. Knowledge and practice in the bicultural skills can occur through cognitive and behavioral principles drawn from the social learning theory. Directed by learning theory, cognitive values of information, problem solving, and self-instruction can be merged with behavioral principles of nonverbal and verbal communication, coaching, and social network building.(Schinke 2007) This gives the American Indians to individualize themselves for them to for the better coping up abilities and helps mana ge stress related situation. This approach gives them an idea of the things that they are not familiar with and with this adaptation through learning is much easier. DISCUSSION National attention to the health hazards and societal costs attributed to substance abuse use led to sharply decreased tolerance for any use of elicit drugs or abuse of elicit drugs alcohol and tobacco.The percentage of young people reporting substance use has been high although out the United States even those belonging to the ethnic groups like the American Indians. Many factors are to be considered on why these groups of people engage in alcohol and substance abuse. American Natives known as the American Indians are one of the widest ethnic groups that are in the United States. Although consider a minor to many, this group of people have high increase in problems that are associated with drinking and substance abuse like the use of drugs.This Minority like in other people in the state are in the over use o f drugs and excessive drinking. Factors like stress, pressure among the youth especially with teens, coping mechanism for some and most of all the oppression and culture conflict that arises are the contributors to the high percentage of Native Americans misuse of alcohol and drugs. Reports shows that a high percentage of these Native comprises of the most involved racial group in substance abuse and disorders. Even the minors are drawn out from this type of scenarios.Among the racial groups in the United States, 60% of these people are engage in alcohol and drug use including the youth and still continue to rise. This is one of the major problems that are encountered by the Government in the States and the American Indians leaders. Cultural conflict this is one of the predisposing factors why substance abuse and disorders arises. When the culture of the American Indians are collides with the dominant groups, conflicts arises specially to the beliefs and values of these Natives. Dis crimination usually occur creating confusion and loss of self esteem among the natives.The imposed culture is cannot easily be integrated by the natives causing a confusion and dilemma within their part. In order to cope up with this situation this people find drinking and drug use a form of an escape from the pressure of the domain society they are in. It has been very crucial for the Native Americans to adjust to the culture that is imposed to them given to them because of the less support and rights they are getting from the Government. It has caused them a lot of stress to incorporate all the beliefs and values that they have no knowledge about causing a great struggle to the culture they are brought up with.This high incidence of drinking and drug abuse is also very evident among the American Indians youth. At the studies that was conducted in the United States regarding minor drinking and drugs use, a high percentage of this comprises the American Indians youth. Mostly the rea son why youth are engage in these activities is because of the peer pressure they are involved with. This problem of the youth regarding their peers is mostly about the racial issues they are in, in order to identify themselves with the domain society they tend to follow what is done by those people regardless if its beneficial for them or not.Youth of the American Indians are on a very critical situation because of the Native background they have. Due to this culture conflict still arises and it is hard for the teens to identify themselves and tend to loose their own identity because of the presented situation. Due to this pressure arises among other youths and in order for them to identify and belong they are easily influenced to engage in drinking and drug abuses. Another factor why Natives have a high percentage of alcohol and drug abuse is that in terms of their economic status.Most of the natives have a low socio-economic life that is very evident in the type of living they ar e in. Since the natives are given less recognition and support their economic life has not improved since. Due to this as a created pressure is added to the natives causing them to withdraw from the society and engage in drinking. This drinking becomes habitual and eventually becomes an excess or over use causing drinking related disorders. Some after engaging in drinking also use drugs as a form of escape to the reality that is against them.Problems that arise because of this factor is very evident among the Natives now even the yearly surveys regarding the American Natives shows a high and still rising percentage of drugs and alcohol misuse. These Natives are not given much recognition and are oppressed mainly of their rights that it is why it is hard for them to cope up with the environment and imposed culture that they are in. The society plays much of a big role on how these Native Americans are persuaded to engage in alcohol drinking. The society that they are in accepts drink ing in their culture where it is seen to the daily activities of these people.Not ware of the damage it has on them because of the domain society’s involvement in this they tend to engage on it as well hoping that this would help them in coping up with the society. Alcohol has become the primary substance of abuse among American Indians. It has accounted of about 62% of all those who have been admitted of those being treated. The prevalence of this alcohol abuse is high on both men and women. Marijuana is the most elicited drug of choice among American Indians, it was reported that 12% of those being admitted are treated because of this.Drug abuse and excessive alcohol has a great impact on health. Most of those who engage in this are predispose to the different problems regarding their health. Alcohol has a great effect on the body as this cause depression to the central nervous system, as a depressant it has a great effect on the functions of the brain. Most of the people t hat are engage in excessive alcohol drinking have been reported to have brain malfunction causing a slow impulse and movement in the brain. Alcohol causes liver disease and most of the people who are alcoholics die because of the liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis which is fatal.Those that are into drinking are also at risk to cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. Drugs interfere with the brain's ability to take in, sort, and synthesize information. They distort perception, which can lead users to harm themselves or others. Drug use also affects sensation and impairs memory. Many approaches have been used in order to compensate in the high percentage of the Native Americans that are engaged in alcohol and drug abuse. Programs like youth organization have been established for better self actualization and esteem building which provides the framework for the youth.Peer support groups and other programs ranging in traditional cultural practices like dancing, sweat lodge, or oth er ceremonies are initiated to provide a sense of feeling of the individual’s tribal pride and unity would be transmitted. The Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse program was developed by the U. S. government. This has been established by the public law 106-553, which provides the funding and technical assistance to federally recognized government to plan, develop, implement and enhance tribal justice strategies involving alcohol and crime related and substance abuse.The objective of this program is to establish a multidisciplinary advisory team plan, to implement and monitor the propose strategy. It identifies and prosecutes individuals who illegally transport and distribute and used the alcohol and substances to tribal communities. The government also established a National Indian Alcohol and Substance Taskforce which assists the tribe leaders and their youth in the prevention of alcohol and substance abuse and assist to their personal healing, recovery and lifetime wellness .It also helps in the improvement of the life of the American Indians families and communities in enhancing their cultural preservation, the upholding in the dignity and autonomy of the Indian Nations. It also gives focus to leadership and deals with the devastating problem of alcohol and substance abuse of the country. This task force is working with the federal government Agencies in obtaining a consistent funding to support the different programs regarding the alcohol and drug abuse. The U. S. Department of Justice supports tribe groups’ efforts to deal with alcohol and substance abuse in communities where Natives live.This community is composed of the Indian tribes and native villages which they create an appropriate approach to address the alcohol and substance abuse. The Government provides the resources needed by the Indian Countries in order to create the awareness, conduct prevention and intervention that would help control alcohol and drug abuse. The government is a lso giving privilege to the tribal leaders to create policies that would help in eradicating alcohol and drug abuses among the Natives. 90% of arrests that have been reported by the Tribal law enforcement are caused by alcohol related problems.The arrests made were conducted on the small group of individuals in the community comprising of the tribal justice system, health service system and family support system. This law enforcement taskforce often experience high violent crime and offenders that are associated with drug and alcohol abuse which make it hard for the tribal communities to keep peace and order. The drug Court Discretionary Grant program is one the many programs that helps aid and fund assistance to the states, courts and local services that is needed to help the government to lessen the alcohol and drug offenders.This program is aimed on nonviolent offenders and is targeted to implement a drug court based components. It supports the drug court implementation and impro vement of the technical assistance that is directed to the National Dug court Training and Technical Assistance Program in increasing the knowledge of those that are in the drug court practitioners plan to carry on efficient drug programs giving emphasis on the roles and trainings that would develop teams and coordinated study on treatment system. The Nevada Urban Indians, Inc.substance abuse program is dedicated to providing quality outpatient treatment. Efforts are made to help each client become aware of the relationship between substance use and the effects it may have on the individual’s life. The client deals with feelings and behaviors that are a result of substance abuse or dependency. It is a program concerned with the culture and helps attempt to guarantee that the client is treated with respect. In this program the client is to learn the impact of substance abuse to their life.Its goal is to restore the client’s life productively and to help the client to le arn ways on how he/she would be able to adapt to the changes and the different stressors that are present nowadays. The department of education has provided a safe and drug free program on the schools, this provides the support on the school to help assist in the communities in preventing drug and alcohol abuse and violence. This program grants the technical assistance and training for the school.The American Indian Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (AIRRTC) identify the need to address the increase dependency of American Indians to drug and alcohol. Many research findings shows that alcohol and drug abuse among the American Indians are often associated with certain circumstances in their lives which affects the rate of employment opportunities to American Indians because of the myth that is tagged to the American Indians. Employees that are American Indians are in struggle to get a job because of they are faced with employers that stereotypes them.All these programs are m ade available by the Government in the attempt to help improve the increasing percentage of the American Indians that are engaged in alcohol and substance abuse. Aiming to somehow if not totally eradicate but lessen the incidence of the Natives involvement in substance abuse. These programs somehow are trying to aid the level of living and acceptance of the natives regarding their situation and help to somehow uplift the standard of that living. CONCLUSIONAlcohol and drug abuse are known to be a major health problems on American Indians nowadays. Efforts in the treatment and prevention of this may be more effective if the approach that it is going to undergo is if the native’s way and beliefs are also incorporated. It is not enough that programs are established but what is important is that it is implemented and actions are taken among the leaders to actually put into works all the said programs that have been funded by the Government.It is important also to involve the Nativ es in the different programs that the government has for them not only those that are engaged in alcohol and drug abuse but also those that are not in order to prevent them from doing the same thing. It is important that the youth are educated regarding the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol to them and it is important that they are able to identify themselves on the community they belong. It is important that the American Indians youth are given the emphasis because of the developmental stage they are in.Parents should be able to give the support and information needed to their minors in order to reduce the alcohol and drug related problems. It is important when addressing to this situation the culture of the American Natives is not neglected and should be given a more emphasis. The culture that they belong would help improvement in understanding why these natives are engaged in alcohol and drug abuse. Through the Government and other leaders could develop a program not only for the improvement of those under the substance abuse but even those that are risk for it.It is important that the programs that are implemented would coincide with the beliefs or the culture of this people so that it would not be hard for them to integrate the programs they are undergoing. It is important that the Natives are aware of the effects of drugs and alcohol to their body as this is significant in their health. It is important also that the government should somehow recognize the other needs of these Natives that are contributing to the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse.It is important that every aspect should be examined in order to give a better option for the improvement of the programs that are addressed to these situations. Health care facilities should also be readily available to the Natives; this would aid in the awareness to their health and would somehow improve their knowledge regarding the effects of these abusive substances to their health. The government and the Natives leader should coordinate with each other more often so that the needs and improvements regarding the treatment and other related problems regarding these natives are addressed.Support and recognition should be given to these natives. It is important that they should be given the same privileges and recognition as those of the domain society. They should not discriminated instead the culture and beliefs that they have should be respected so that this would help boost the moral confidence of the Natives and would aid in determining their identity I therefore recommend further studies should be conducted on the Native Americans response regarding the treatment and the program should be further evaluated.The programs are in the right path of addressing to the problem but there is lack of support and people that are engage are not enough to meet the demands of the high percentage of alcohol and drug abuse. References: American Indians and Alaska Natives in Substance Abuse Tre atment: 1999. 2002. The DASIS report:1-4. Gale, Nancy. 2000. Fighting Alcohol and Substance Abuse among American Indian and Alaskan Native Youth. ERIC Digest. . ERIC Digest. Gordon, Jacob U. 2005. Managing Multiculturalism in Substance Abuse Services: Sage Publications Inc. Jeanette Valentine, Judith Ann De Jong, Nancy Jean Kennedy. 1998.Substance Abuse Prevention in Multicultural Communities. 1-12 vols. Vol. 12: Haworth Press. Mario De la Rosa, Richard Bernard Segal, and Lopez. 1999. Conducting Drug Abuse Research with Minority Populations: Advances and Issues. 1-14 vols. Vol. 14: Haworth Press Schinke, Steven P. 2007. Preventing Substance Abuse among American-Indian Adolescents: A Bicultural Competence Skills Approach. Pub Med Central Journal List. Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders among American Indians and Alaska Natives. 2007. The NSHUD Report:1-4. Stimmel, Barry. 1984. Cultural and Sociological Aspects of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse: Haworth Press.

Do Prisons Work essays

Do Prisons Work essays Prison life is mostly a continuous repetition of the same day, over and over again. Finding a purpose and a meaning beyond "punishment" can be a struggle. Often people are not in prison long enough to discover anything worthwhile beyond a new set of criminal alliances. Or people end up inside for so long that any good that might have been achieved along the way is undermined by bitterness and resentment. Prisons are the most shaming of all our public institutions. The United Kingdom imprisons more of its people than virtually any other country in Western Europe - in conditions, which are frequently an affront to civilized values, and at great cost to the taxpayers. Yet the vast majority of our prisoners do not present a serious threat to life or limb. Their crimes are such that they can be more humanely, economically and effectively dealt with in the community. Nevertheless, many consider imprisonment to be the punishment of choice. They feel that when the offender is jailed, justi ce is served. The paradox of imprisonment lies in society's expectations: the community wants retribution, as well as rehabilitation. Interestingly, for many, sending people to prison is not enough; they insist that offenders must suffer while they are in prison. But only somebody who has never been to prison would believe that jails are "soft" places. But the truth is that the harsher a prisoner feels himself to have been treated, the less of an obligation he will feel to abide by society's rules, and the more likely new victims will be created after his release. Official figures speak for themselves - more than half of prisoners re-offend within two years of release (Mathiesen 1990). Prison is designed for disempowerment. Everyone in jail is vulnerable to a greater or lesser extent. Prisoners live at the mercy of those who are in charge, and of each other, and dignity is a scarce commodity. There are various problems in prisons: sexual assault of...