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Unit 4
Social Issues
Reading 1.1
Soft Drugs in Amsterdam
In almost every country, citizens have strong opinions concerning drug legislation.
Proponents of legalizing drugs believe the consumption or sale of some or all drugs should be legalized. Many of them consider “soft” drugs, such as marijuana, are no more dangerous than alcohol and advocate for the legalization of small amounts of drugs for personal consumption.
Alcohol and marijuana are considered “gateway drugs” that lead to the use of more dangerous drugs. Anti-drug activists, on the other hand, caution against the dangers of drugs to both individuals and to society, insisting that the legalization of drugs increases crime, drug abuse, and addiction. What, then, is the truth?
The Netherlands has a unique approach to its drug policy. It is directed by the idea that every human being should be able to make their own decisions regarding personal health. The Dutch drug policy recognizes that drug use cannot be completely eliminated. (A) ______, it recognizes that there are legitimate medical reasons for drug use, such as smoking marijuana to diminish nausea associated with chemotherapy treatment. (B) _______, it distinguishes between soft drugs, such as marijuana, and hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, which often lead to addictions. All hard drugs are prohibited, but laws permit soft drugs to be sold in coffee shops and used in “hash bars,” as long as the buyer is at least eighteen years old and if no more than five grams are sold in a single transaction.
What are the results of these (A) [liberal / strict] drug policies? Studies show that decriminalization of the possession of soft drugs for personal use and the toleration of sales of controlled substances have not resulted in (B) [increased / incremental] levels of use among young people. The extent and nature of the use of soft drugs does not differ much from other Western countries. As for hard drugs, the numbers of addicts in the Netherlands are low compared with the rest of Europe. And they are (C) [marginally / considerably] lower than those in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.
Dutch rates of drug use and addiction are lower in every category than those of the United States, even though the US aggressively tries to prevent drug use by setting severe penalties for using or selling illegal drugs, even soft ones. Marijuana use in the Netherlands is half that of the United States—2.5 percent in the Netherlands vs. 5 percent in the US—and lifetime heroin use in the Netherlands is less than half of that in the US (0.3 percent vs. 1.1 percent). Drug-related deaths and the spread of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) among IV (intravenous) drug users are also lower in the Netherlands compared to the US. In addition, its rates are lower than other European countries such as France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. Overall, the Netherlands has the fewest drug-related deaths in all of Europe.
Although the lower drug statistics may be attributed to liberal policies, the Netherlands places a high priority on intervention and prevention with drug use. For addicts who are Dutch citizens (or from the Dutch Antilles, Morocco, or Surinam, a former Dutch colony), there are methadone programs to help them quit. These programs have minimal requirements for admission and make very few demands on the clients. This encourages many addicts to seek help. Once addicts are enrolled, it provides the government an opportunity to share important information on how to prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), AIDS, and Hepatitis B. Because these diseases are typically spread by dirty needles, the Dutch also have a needle exchange program. Intravenous drug users trade in old needles for new, sterile ones. Amsterdam, the Netherlands’s largest city, currently operates fifteen needle-exchange units. Hundreds of thousands of used syringes are exchanged for clean ones every year, that is extremely helpful in preventing the spread of diseases.
In almost every country, citizens have strong opinions concerning drug legislation.
Proponents of legalizing drugs believe the consumption or sale of some or all drugs should be legalized. Many of them consider “soft” drugs, such as marijuana, are no more dangerous than alcohol and advocate for the legalization of small amounts of drugs for personal consumption.
Alcohol and marijuana are considered “gateway drugs” that lead to the use of more dangerous drugs. Anti-drug activists, on the other hand, caution against the dangers of drugs to both individuals and to society, insisting that the legalization of drugs increases crime, drug abuse, and addiction. What, then, is the truth?
1. Which sentence does not fit the flow of the passage?
2. What is NOT true according to the passage?
Many people have strong beliefs about legalizing drugs.
Legalization proponents think using small amounts of drugs should be legal.
Some people believe soft drugs are no more dangerous than alcohol.
Anti-drug activists think drugs negatively impact society and individuals.
Studies show that drug legalization will lead to a rise in crime rates.
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The Netherlands has a unique approach to its drug policy. It is directed by the idea that every human being should be able to make their own decisions regarding personal health. The Dutch drug policy recognizes that drug use cannot be completely eliminated. (A) ______, it recognizes that there are legitimate medical reasons for drug use, such as smoking marijuana to diminish nausea associated with chemotherapy treatment. (B) _______, it distinguishes between soft drugs, such as marijuana, and hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, which often lead to addictions. All hard drugs are prohibited, but laws permit soft drugs to be sold in coffee shops and used in “hash bars,” as long as the buyer is at least eighteen years old and if no more than five grams are sold in a single transaction.
3. Choose the correct words for (A) and (B)
(A) (B)
In addition Previously
On the other hand Therefore
In addition In comparison
Thereafter Therefore
Furthermore Previously
4. What is the purpose of this passage?
To describe the medicinal use of illegal drugs
To inform how drugs are sold in the Netherlands
To explain the Netherlands’ policy on drug use
To show the difference between hard drugs and soft drugs
To tell why hard drugs are more addictive than soft drugs.
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What are the results of these (A) [liberal / strict] drug policies? Studies show that decriminalization of the possession of soft drugs for personal use and the toleration of sales of controlled substances have not resulted in (B) [increased / incremental] levels of use among young people. The extent and nature of the use of soft drugs does not differ much from other Western countries. As for hard drugs, the numbers of addicts in the Netherlands are low compared with the rest of Europe. And they are (C) [marginally / considerably] lower than those in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.
Dutch rates of drug use and addiction are lower in every category than those of the United States, even though the US aggressively tries to prevent drug use by setting severe penalties for using or selling illegal drugs, even soft ones. Marijuana use in the Netherlands is half that of the United States—2.5 percent in the Netherlands vs. 5 percent in the US—and lifetime heroin use in the Netherlands is less than half of that in the US (0.3 percent vs. 1.1 percent). Drug-related deaths and the spread of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) among IV (intravenous) drug users are also lower in the Netherlands compared to the US. In addition, its rates are lower than other European countries such as France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. Overall, the Netherlands has the fewest drug-related deaths in all of Europe.
5. Where is the best place to insert the following sentence?
As a result of all these statistics, some European countries are considering modeling their drug policies after the Netherlands’.
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6. Choose the correct words for A, B and C.
(A) (B) (C)
liberal increased considerably
liberal incremental considerably
strict incremental marginally
strict increased marginally
strict increased considerably
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Although the lower drug statistics may be attributed to liberal policies, the Netherlands places a high priority on intervention and prevention with drug use. For addicts who are Dutch citizens (or from the Dutch Antilles, Morocco, or Surinam, a former Dutch colony), there are methadone programs to help them quit. These programs have minimal requirements for admission and make very few demands on the clients. This encourages many addicts to seek help. Once addicts are enrolled, it provides the government an opportunity to share important information on how to prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), AIDS, and Hepatitis B. Because these diseases are typically spread by dirty needles, the Dutch also have a needle exchange program. Intravenous drug users trade in old needles for new, sterile ones. Amsterdam, the Netherlands’s largest city, currently operates fifteen needle-exchange units. Hundreds of thousands of used syringes are exchanged for clean ones every year, that is extremely helpful in preventing the spread of diseases.
7. What is the main idea of the passage?
The Netherlands has a high rate of drug addiction.
The healthcare system in the Netherlands is highly rated.
The Netherlands has government programs to assist drug users.
The Netherlands was the first country to use a needle exchange program.
The Netherlands have the lowest rate of AIDS and HIV in the world.
8. Choose the grammatically incorrect one.
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Reading 1.2
Tough Turkey
(A) As a result of harsh drug penalties, Turkey has seen a drastic reduction of substance abuse and now views drug abuse as a relatively small problem. Marijuana (a drug considered to be the gateway to harder drug use) is most prevalent, used by almost two percent of the population, followed by amphetamines at 0.2 percent, opiates at 0.05 percent, and finally, cocaine at 0.03 percent. Though recent numbers have revealed a slight increase in use of hard drugs compared to other more industrialized European countries, the overall drug usage and crime rate in Turkey still remains very low.
(B) Turkey is one of many countries that has suffered from problems due to drug abuse in the last few decades. Part of the reason for this is the country’s location along the Balkan Route, a popular path for drug trafficking. Recently, Turkey has taken a tougher stance regarding substance abuse and is considered to be a global anti-drug trafficking leader. In fact, Turkey is listed as the second most successful country, after China, in exposing illegal drug trade and decreasing overall levels of usage.
(C) Part of the reason for its success is that penalties for drug offenses in Turkey are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences. Anyone caught with even a very small quantity of drugs for personal use may be tried, found guilty, and face six months to two years in prison. Purchasing or selling larger amounts can result in prison sentences from ten to twenty years, with inpatient treatment. Certain substances require an enhanced punishment of twenty years imprisonment. Drug traffickers face the most severe penalties of all: twenty years to life imprisonment and additional heavy fines.
1. What is the best title for the passage?
Turkey’s War on Drugs
The Turkish Legal System
The History of Drug Use in Turkey
Turkey’s Location Affects Its Crime Rates
Use of Gateway Drugs in Turkish Prisons
2. What is the correct order of the paragraphs?
(B) (A) (C)
(B) (C) (A)
(C) (A) (B)
(A) (B) (C)
(A) (C) (B)
Reading 2.1
Morphine
Morphine is a very potent drug known as an opiate that is used in the field of medicine to relieve pain. Opiates naturally occur in poppy seeds, or they can be synthetically manufactured. They work on the area of the brain that perceives pain, thus reducing the patient’s experience of it. Because it is (A) [so / such] a strong drug, it is meant to be used only by people in severe pain. This is because the side effects are significant, and the risk of addiction is high. Morphine can (B) [take / be taken] as needed for certain types of pain, such as a bad injury, and it can also be administered continuously for relief of chronic pain such as (C) [that / those] experienced by cancer patients.
Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner was the German pharmacist who first isolated morphine. He called it morphium after the Greek god of dreams. Although it is not a hallucinogen, as the name might imply, it is more than just a pain reliever. Morphine also produces a euphoric mental state and relieves anxiety.
As such, even people who do not suffer from chronic pain may find enjoyment from morphine, making it a popular street drug. Before the advent of heroin, a morphine derivative, morphine was commonly abused. But because heroin is more potent and faster acting, it replaced morphine. Even today, when heroin addicts have trouble finding their drug, they often use morphine as a substitute. In addition, morphine withdrawal symptoms often appear right before it is time for someone to have their next dose. Interestingly, morphine was used early on to treat opium addiction, and even alcoholism, until it was realized that it was more addictive than both of those drugs.
Because it is so addictive, doctors must exercise caution when prescribing morphine. When used to alleviate pain in people who are dying, addiction is not a concern. (A) _________, the drug can be used to make the patient more comfortable during his or her final days. (B) ________, when used as an analgesic in patients who are in severe pain but not dying, precautions should be taken. Doses and frequency of doses should be closely monitored, as well as the patient’s withdrawal symptoms. There are two main indicators of addiction—withdrawal and tolerance. Tolerance occurs when a patient needs more and more of a drug to achieve the same effects. Withdrawal occurs when the body shows signs of needing the drug. In the case of morphine this includes nausea, diarrhea, fever and chills, watery eyes, runny nose, headaches, body ache, tremors, and irritability.
Not only is morphine physically addictive, it is also psychologically addictive. A morphine addict, having gotten through eight to twelve days of withdrawal without resorting to morphine use, is no longer physically addicted. The body becomes accustomed to not having the drug and resumes normal functioning. They crave it and have a difficult time functioning without it. This can often lead to severe depression and anxiety. Many people have difficulty sleeping and even develop amnesia. Self esteem is (A) [diminished / displayed] as the person copes with living life without the help of a drug.
Not surprisingly, relapse is very common among morphine addicts. This is particularly true if the factors in their lives that led them to drug abuse are not (B) [altered / unchanged]. A study of morphine addiction in rats showed that if the rat’s environment was enriched after removal of morphine doses, it more easily coped with (C) [psychological / psychiatric] withdrawal. Clearly, in treating morphine addiction, it is essential that the patient’s environment is one that does not reinforce morphine use.
To summarize, morphine is a highly effective drug that can be used to alleviate pain, but it should be used under the close supervision of a doctor. The risk of addiction is high, and withdrawal is a painful process—the psychological element of which can last a lifetime.
Morphine is a very potent drug known as an opiate that is used in the field of medicine to relieve pain. Opiates naturally occur in poppy seeds, or they can be synthetically manufactured. They work on the area of the brain that perceives pain, thus reducing the patient’s experience of it. Because it is (A) [so / such] a strong drug, it is meant to be used only by people in severe pain. This is because the side effects are significant, and the risk of addiction is high. Morphine can (B) [take / be taken] as needed for certain types of pain, such as a bad injury, and it can also be administered continuously for relief of chronic pain such as (C) [that / those] experienced by cancer patients.
1. Choose the grammatically correct ones.
(A) (B) (C)
so take that
so taken those
such taken that
such take those
such take that
2. What is the main idea of this passage?
Morphine is not used for patients with chronic illnesses.
Morphine affects the brain’s perception of an injury.
Some people become easily addicted to opiates.
Morphine is used medically to combat severe pain.
There have been unsuccessful attempts to manufacture opiates.
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As such, even people who do not suffer from chronic pain may find enjoyment from morphine, making it a popular street drug. Before the advent of heroin, a morphine derivative, morphine was commonly abused. But because heroin is more potent and faster acting, it replaced morphine. Even today, when heroin addicts have trouble finding their drug, they often use morphine as a substitute. In addition, morphine withdrawal symptoms often appear right before it is time for someone to have their next dose. Interestingly, morphine was used early on to treat opium addiction, and even alcoholism, until it was realized that it was more addictive than both of those drugs.
3. Which sentence does not fit the flow of the passage?
4. What is true according to the passage?
Morphine is difficult to obtain as a street drug.
Heroin is stronger and works quicker than morphine.
Heroin is used as a substitute when addicts cannot find morphine.
More people become addicted to alcohol than morphine.
Morphine is commonly used to treat some types of addiction.
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Because it is so addictive, doctors must exercise caution when prescribing morphine. When used to alleviate pain in people who are dying, addiction is not a concern. (A) _________, the drug can be used to make the patient more comfortable during his or her final days. (B) ________, when used as an analgesic in patients who are in severe pain but not dying, precautions should be taken. Doses and frequency of doses should be closely monitored, as well as the patient’s withdrawal symptoms. There are two main indicators of addiction—withdrawal and tolerance. Tolerance occurs when a patient needs more and more of a drug to achieve the same effects. Withdrawal occurs when the body shows signs of needing the drug. In the case of morphine this includes nausea, diarrhea, fever and chills, watery eyes, runny nose, headaches, body ache, tremors, and irritability.
5. Choose the correct words for (A) and (B)
(A) (B)
On one hand On the other hand
As a result However
On one hand Moreover
As a result However
In addition On the other hand
6. What is the purpose of the passage?
To describe how drug tolerance develops
To explain how morphine addiction occurs
To describe the possible side effects of morphine
To give reasons why morphine should not be used
To encourage doctors to be careful when prescribing morphine
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Not only is morphine physically addictive, it is also psychologically addictive. A morphine addict, having gotten through eight to twelve days of withdrawal without resorting to morphine use, is no longer physically addicted. The body becomes accustomed to not having the drug and resumes normal functioning. They crave it and have a difficult time functioning without it. This can often lead to severe depression and anxiety. Many people have difficulty sleeping and even develop amnesia. Self esteem is (A) [diminished / displayed] as the person copes with living life without the help of a drug.
Not surprisingly, relapse is very common among morphine addicts. This is particularly true if the factors in their lives that led them to drug abuse are not (B) [altered / unchanged]. A study of morphine addiction in rats showed that if the rat’s environment was enriched after removal of morphine doses, it more easily coped with (C) [psychological / psychiatric] withdrawal. Clearly, in treating morphine addiction, it is essential that the patient’s environment is one that does not reinforce morphine use.
7. Choose the correct words for A, B and C.
(A) (B) (C)
diminished altered psychological
displayed altered psychological
displayed altered psychiatric
displayed unchanged psychiatric
diminished unchanged psychiatric
8. Where is the best place to insert the following sentence?
The cravings, however, will persist because the person has become psychologically dependent on the drug.
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Reading 2.2
Should Drugs Be Legal?
(A) At age eighteen, Americans can legally purchase cigarettes, which contain the drug nicotine. (a) At twenty-one, they can buy and drink beverages with alcohol, another type of drug. At no age, however, are they legally allowed to buy and consume other kinds of drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, or heroin. (b) Many people think this policy is hypocritical. They wonder why the government should choose which drugs to sanction and which to ban.
(B) Of course, some people say that instead of legalizing all drugs, the government should make all drugs illegal. (c) The trouble is that, as long as the drugs are available, people will choose to take them, legally or not.
(C) Practically, proponents of legalization also say that legalizing drugs would improve the economy. The US receives billions of dollars each year from taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, while spending billions fighting the illegal drug trade. (d) If the government legalized drugs such as cocaine and marijuana, then it could tax them and also stop spending money trying to catch and imprison those who sell them.
(D) The typical response is that drugs like marijuana and cocaine are unhealthy. But so are cigarettes and alcohol. (e) Smoking, for instance, is the leading cause of death in the US, killing more than 440,000 people each year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates that drinking alcohol leads directly to about 35,000 annual deaths and indirectly to thousands of others. Studies show that, used in moderation, marijuana and cocaine are no more harmful than cigarettes and alcohol.
1. What is the correct order of the paragraphs that come after A?
(B) (D) (C)
(C) (B) (D)
(C) (D) (B)
(D) (B) (C)
(D) (C) (B)
2. Choose the sentence that best shows the financial incentive to legal drugs?
a
b
c
d
e
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