16. November 2009 by student.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). The virus will attack the body’s immune system, the body will then be unable to resist other sicknesses or diseases. The disease is transmitted through direct sexual exchange, not through casual contact such as handshakes. 

There are 42 million people worldwide who are HIV positive. The majority of these people are from Africa. In the United States, African Americans account for thirteen percent of the population, they’re also responsible for thirty-eight percent of the population. Researchers estimate that about 1 in 50 African American men, and 1 in 160 African American women are infected with HIV.

There’s no cure to AIDS yet, so many programs have been endorsed to help prevent the spreading of the virus. However, there is treatment available if the virus is recognized early. Treatment can inhibit the viruses ability to replicate. The downside is the treatment is expensive so many Africans can’t afford. Treatment cost about $20,000 dollars a year. Experts have been emphasizing behavior modification to slow the spreading of the disease. They emphasize safer sex, through condom use, or abstinence from sex completely.

It’s important to find a cure so we don’t have millions of people in the hospital with AIDS or HIV. If the number of patients with the virus increases in the hospital then it will put an unecessary strain on the health care system. It would increase health care premiums, and health care premiums. 

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16. November 2009 by student.

Pollution is the undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities. Each year, U.S. factories spew 3 million tons of toxic chemicals into the air, land, and water. Vehicle exhaust contributes roughly 60% of all carbon monoxide emissions nationwide, and up to 95% in cities. According to the US-EPA, emissions from power plants contribute to over 2,800 lung cancer deaths and 38,200 heart attacks annually in the US. It may seem that pollution is an irreversible problem. But the fact is that we can do much to reduce pollution and prevent it from getting worse. There are some steps that will drastically make a difference over time. (1) When you are buying a car, choose a hybrid type or a car that does not use fossil fuels at all. Using cleaner fuels like biodiesel and ethanol, or taking advantage of electric cars becoming available can reduce your personal emissions significantly. Another step is to drive as little as possible. Walk or ride a bicycle the rest of the time. If you live close enough to your job, try riding your bike to work. If this is not possible, try carpooling. Taking one car every day instead of four can cut the total emissions released by three-fourths, which is a lot less pollution. (2) Plant trees, have a garden and put plants inside your home. Plants and trees are a great way to help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air. Plants need carbon dioxide like we need air. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. The more trees and plants there are in the world the more oxygen and less carbon dioxide there will be. Trees especially require large amounts of carbon dioxide, and in turn, release large amounts of oxygen. (3) Recycling is an important step in reducing pollution because it saves new resources from being harvested and used. Recycling paper products like newspapers, cardboard, and other paper products could save thousands of trees each and every year. Recycling saves energy too so that there is less pollution during the production process and only around one-fourth of the energy needed to create the product from recycled versus new materials. Reducing pollution means recycling and conserving as much energy as possible because energy usually means pollution in some form unless it is from a renewable alternative energy source like solar, biomass, or wind power.  (4) Reducing pollution means using alternative, renewable, and environmentally friendly energy sources whenever possible, recycling all appropriate materials that can be reused, and conserving energy and taking steps to keep the air clean. Energy conservation can be a small step that adds up to large energy savings. Turn off the lights whenever you leave a room and do not leave the water running when you are washing dishes or brushing your teeth. Do not use aerosol sprays because these can contain ingredients that can be harmful to the ozone layer and the air quality. The next time you buy an appliance, choose one that is energy efficient and is rated as such because this can save energy and reduce both costs and pollution. Reducing pollution can be done by switching to alternative and renewable energy sources like biofuels instead of relying on non-renewable fossil fuels that are only helping pollute our planet. Biofuels and other alternative energy sources are cleaner and more environmentally friendly, but until these technologies are widely used, conserving energy should be practiced in order to minimize pollution and your impact on the earth.

http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-pollution

http://www.bionomicfuel.com/what-can-we-do-to-help-reducing-pollution

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16. November 2009 by student.

Gangs have become an increasingly important issue in today’s society. The police’s definition of a gang is: “A group of individuals, juvenile and or adult, who associate on a continuous basis, form an allegiance for a common purpose, and are involved in delinquent or criminal activity.” (Retrieved November 16, 2009 Website: www.geocities.com/Athens/4111/nogangs.html).  Unfortunately, the mentality of some kids and teenagers is to think and believe that gang life is cool, fun, and indeed a way of life. Either they are peer pressured to join or they individually choose to join. When they join the gangs they are forced to be involved in illegal activities such as homicides, robberies, burglaries, drive by shootings, selling drugs, etc.Although the prevalence of gangs has been around for along time, it became more of an issue during the 20^th century. Back in the 19^th century, gangs were mostly confined to big cities that had ample infrastructure and highway systems so that they can carry on their illegal operations in an efficient manner. But during the 20^th century, suburbs that used to be lacking in infrastructure and effective highway systems are now being built up with many amenities to help support the gangs. To gangs, better infrastructure and highway systems mean more places to hide and more easily accessible escape routes. Suburbs are a place where many families live and raise their children. Unfortunately, innocent families with children are not the only inhabitants of the area. Gangs are now operating and even living in suburbs. This subject matter requires crucial attention and this problem needs to be taken seriously to ensure safety to citizens. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the prevalence of gangs. Having more police presence is one way to reduce gangs. By having more police patrolling the neighborhoods creates a presence that will deter crime. Knowing that police are near by, gangs will think twice before doing any kind of illegal activity. The presence of police is a major deterrent of crime. A very important way to reduce gangs is to have common sense. If we keep our houses unlocked, cars unlocked, and valuables items in sight, then we are luring the criminals. It is like bait, if we put it out there then it will attract the criminals and they will take the bait. Other ways to reduce gangs is to have better participation by the community and to create gang awareness. If the community actively participates, it helps to create a more organized and safe community. Being more supportive with the local law enforcement and cooperating with the police in investigations will help to solve many crimes so that the community will become a safer place. By creating gang awareness we citizens can have more knowledge about the gangs and what they do. As to draw a conclusion, it can be noted that the prevalence and organization of gangs have become a problem in our society. It is crucial that we try to educate the youth and prevent them from joining the perilous lifestyle of the gangs.

(Retrieved November 16, 2009. Website: www.geocities.com/Athens/4111/nogangs.html).

( McCollum, Bill.
Florida Gang Reduction Strategy 2008-2012. Office of the Attorney General Bill McCollum iv-v).

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16. November 2009 by student.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, graffiti is defined as the wide range of markings, etchings and paintings that deface public or private property. An estimated $12 billion a year is spent cleaning up graffiti in the United States. Graffiti contributes to lost revenue associated with reduced ridership on transit systems, reduced retail sales and declines in property value. According to the U.S. Department of Justice graffiti is not an isolated problem. It is often related to other crime and disorder problems, including: Public disorder, such as littering, public urination and loitering. Shoplifting of materials needed for graffiti, such as paint and markers. Gangs and gang violence, as gang graffiti conveys threats and identifies turf boundaries. Property destruction, such as broken windows or slashed bus or train seats. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there are 4 different types of graffiti: Gang graffiti, often used by gangs to mark turf or convey threats of violence, and sometimes copycat graffiti, which mimics gang graffiti. Tagger graffiti, ranging from high-volume simple hits to complex street art. Conventional graffiti, often isolated or spontaneous acts of “youthful exuberance,” but sometimes malicious or vindictive. Ideological graffiti, such as political or hate graffiti, which conveys political messages or racial, religious or ethnic slurs. Peer pressure, boredom, lack of supervision, lack of activities, low academic achievement, and youth unemployment all contribute to participation in graffiti. In order to successfully deal with this problem parents need to monitor the activities of their children more closely. Citizens need to be more aware of the problem and community involvement should increase. Citizens need to do the right thing and call the local police department when they see graffiti in progress.

 http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e07042448.pdf

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16. November 2009 by student.

     According to the surgeon General 440,000 Americans die every year from tobacco use. According to a drugwarfacts.com poll, alcohol kills 75,000 people per year, and shortens these people life by an average of 30 years. Most people don’t know it but although both of these substances are legal, they are both “drugs”. Nicotine being the main drug found in tobacco products is a stimulant, and alcohol is a depressant. With the death tolls that both of these drugs display, they are still available everywhere if you are of age. In that same poll it states that they have not found any deaths related to marijuana use. After searching the Internet for about 45 minutes to find something that would tell me how many deaths there actually were, only one site gave a number other than zero. That site said that there were 7 car accidents due to marijuana use that resulted in a fatality, and states that the drug was more dangerous than people believe, but gave no factual information. Finding any actual medical information on the web about marijuana is very tough. I wanted to find negative information about marijuana so that I wouldn’t seem to be one sided in my article but just couldn’t find it. But what I always wonder is why marijuana is illegal and these other drugs are not? What is the boundary between legal and illegal drugs? Is there a certain criteria that a drug has to meet in order for it to be outlawed? I am personally not for or against the legalization of marijuana but it seems that our laws on drugs are slightly inconsistent. If marijuana is illegal should nicotine or alcohol, which kill a tremendous number of people every year also be illegal?

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16. November 2009 by student.

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal of the embryo or fetus, which causes death. Since 1973, when the U.S. ruled abortions were legal in the Roe vs. Wade case, abortions have been the most common sugical procedure. About 1.3 million abortions occur each year in the United States. Non-white women are three times as like to have an abortion as white women.

Many abortions take place because the mother simply made a mistake or just can’t handle a child in their life at the moment. An abortion may allow the mother to realize her mistake and learn from it. She will have the capability to go to school and get a good job. If the child was in the life of the mother her chances at an education and good job would be hindered by the child. The mothers lack of money, may also hurt the child down the road. The child may not have an oppurtunity to get an education, these are reason why you would want an abortion option available.

Abortions are used to prevent the birth of babies with genetic defects or the birth is unwanted for social stigmas, or economic hardship. Many people can’t decide whether or not to keep abortions legal or make it illegal. This dilemma occurs because people can’t agree when life begins. This controversy has resulted in debate between pro-choice and pro-life advocates. There has been no agreement between the two sides so abortion has remained legal.

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16. November 2009 by student.

Anabolic Steroids are synthetic substances that are related to the male sex hormones. They increase the growth of skeletal muscle and the development of male sexual characteristics, along with other effects. (National Institute on Drug Abuse Community Drug Alert Bulletin - Anabolic Steroids (2000). Over the past three decades the level of anabolic steroid use has increased significantly. The use of anabolic steroids is most commonly popular with elite competitive athletes. But there is emerging evidence of use for the enhancement of body image among the fitness community, occupational groups, and the homosexual community. (Beel, A., Maycock, B., & McLean, N. (1998). In the United States it is estimated that there are more than 1 million current or former anabolic steroid users, while in Canada it is estimated that 83,000 young people aged 11-18 years have used anabolic steroids at least once in the past year.  (Beel, A., Maycock, B., & McLean, N. (1998). In 1989 it was estimated that there were 15,000 users in Australia, while the 1995 national household drug survey indicated that 75,000 people has used anabolic steroids for non-medical reasons. (Beel, A., Maycock, B., & McLean, N. (1998). Evidence concludes that self-reported levels of anabolic steroids use may underestimate actual rates of usage. (Beel, A., Maycock, B., & McLean, N. (1998). In a study of competitive athletes in US colleges, the projected rate of use was at least three times larger than self-reported levels. (Beel, A., Maycock, B., & McLean, N. (1998).

It is evidential that the use of anabolic steroids is widespread. Athletes, bodybuilders, and teenagers are using anabolic steroids to get bigger and stronger. Unfortunately, there are many unwanted side effects from steroids. Some of the side effects associated with the use of Anabolic Steroids include acne, decreased testicle size, stunted growth, depression, manic episodes, and aggression. As a result, some steroid users become violent and therefore are more likely to committ crimes. As to come up with a solution to the steroid problem I believe people need to become more educated and aware of the potential dangers of using Anabolic Steroids. People should read about all the possible side effects associated with steroid use and think twice before using them.

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