Drug use is a complex issue that is influenced by a variety of social factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies. It is important to analyse the social influences on drug use, including peer pressure, family dynamics, socio-economic status, cultural norms, and the availability of drugs.
Peer pressure is a significant social factor, particularly among young people. Adolescents who are part of social groups that use drugs are most likely to use them. In some cases, young people may feel pressure to use drugs to fit in with their peers. This is particularly true for those who feel socially isolated or marginalised. Moreover, peer pressure can involve the normalisation of drug use, which can lead individuals to believe that it is a socially acceptable behaviour. Family dynamics can also play a role. Children who grow up in households where drug use is prevalent may view drug use as a means of coping with stress or dealing with emotional problems.
Individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to use drugs than those from higher socio-economics backgrounds. This is because drug use may be viewed as a means of escaping poverty or dealing with the stressors of living in a low-income household. Moreover, individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds may have less access to recourses and opportunities, making drug use a more appealing option.
Cultural norms should also be considered. Some cultures may view drug use as a normal part of life, while others may view it as a deviant behaviour. For example, in some cultures, the use of marijuana may be viewed as a harmless activity, while in others, it may be viewed as dangerous drug.
Finally, the availability of drugs is a significant factor. Individuals who have easy access to drugs are more likely to use them. This is particularly true in areas where drugs are readily available, such as in urban areas or near drug trafficking routes.
By addressing these social factors, it may be possible to reduce the prevalence of drug use and improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
Suzanne Hellyer, Abu Dhabi
Is India ready for a uniform civil code?
I write in reference to Taniya Dutta’s article Modi renews push for common law for a secular India (June 27): the Bharatiya Janata Party's determination to introduce the Uniform Civil Code is not new. It has been included in the party's manifesto in past elections as well. There might be some merit in the argument that India needs a common law that applies to all religious groups to administer marriages, divorces and property. But it is a contentious subject that will worry minority groups for various reasons. In any case, it will be a talking point with barely a year left before the next general election is due, so I expect heated debates in the months to come.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Countries have their own challenges
I write in reference to the editorial Debt cannot be allowed to derail the fight against climate change (June 23): the world is drained by the war in Ukraine. And while I do not pardon the aggressors' actions, nor am I insensitive to many of the victims' suffering, world leaders need to address global challenges like climate change rather than enduring pricey foreign wars that are unsustainable. Devastated places in the US, Canada, France, Italy, Greece and others have yet to be rebuilt. Americans fret about debt ceilings after they get mucked in winless conflicts costing trillions of dollars, and then give away the farm for those afar when their own folks need help, first and foremost.
Kerwin Maude, Pitt Meadows, Canada
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
Company%20Profile
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
