Community and Culture Play a Role in Determining the Risk for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Essay Example for Free

Community and Culture Play a Role in Determining the Risk for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Essay Substance abuse and addiction are major problems in society today. Every segment of society, regardless of race, gender, or age is affected. Some of the substances that are used grow naturally, whereas others are manufactured illicitly or even legitimately in laboratories. They may be smoked, inhaled, ingested, or injected and used for social, religious, or self-medicating purposes. The substances that are abused include caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, steroids, stimulants, depressants, heroin, cocaine and the list goes on. Substance abuse ranks high among serious health problems. Since 1979 illicit drug use and alcohol consumption has declined, but the widespread use of and dependence on these substances continues. Nicotine, now classified by the Food and Drug Administration as an addictive substance, is linked to more deaths annually than AIDS, cancer, and other substances combined. Alcohol is also a major social problem today. Use and abuse of alcohol are a factor in contributing to injuries and death. The cost of substance abuse is increasing in our society. Lives are lost, and loss of work productivity costs millions of dollars each year. Alcohol is a factor in 40% of all motor vehicle accidents, and alcohol and other drugs are often implicated in boating or athletic accidents. Costs’ include not only lives lost but also medical care, long-term services to the disabled, and increased insurance rates. Health care cost for clients that use alcohol, drugs, and nicotine are estimated to be greater than $160 billion annually. It has been confirmed that there is link between violence and alcohol and other drugs. Alcohol and drugs are a factor in vandalism on college campuses, date rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Under the influence of alcohol and drugs, young adults are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual practices, and parents are more likely to abuse their children. Certain factors place some individuals at greater risk than others for the development of abuse and dependence. Biological, psychological, or environmental conditions may predispose a person to the development of a drug or alcohol problem. Risk factors may include some of the following; heavy use of alcohol and other drugs or the presence of abuse or dependency by family members, presence of psychological conflicts, which a person may attempt to resolve through drug use. Other factors that predict that there may be a risk for alcohol and drug abuse include some of the following: †¢Failure in school †¢Rebelliousness and alienation †¢Need for immediate gratification †¢Lack of empathy †¢Frequent lying †¢Insensitivity to punishment The family which is the most powerful unit of socialization transmits cultural beliefs, myths, and values about alcohol and drug use. Also peers, and media personalities deliver messages about drug use, drug-using lifestyles, and the use of wines and spirits are subject of cultural traditions of families. Some groups have used wine strictly for celebratory purposes, others for religious rituals, and some for sustenance. Many cultural groups do not consider alcohol a drug. The result is that among many groups a double standard exists for alcohol and other drugs. Illicit drugs are considered dangerous and unhealthy, but alcohol is accepted and not considered threatening to the individual family, or society. However alcohol and drugs can be threatening to the individual, family, and our society. Substance abuse is known to affect ones behavior and personality. Abusers are known to be manipulative and often are in denial. One of the greatest consequences of alcohol abuse is the physiological damage that can be done. Alcohol is absorbed directly from the stomach and exerts system depression and physiological effects throughout the body almost immediately. In low doses, alcohol produces relaxation, loss of inhibition, loss of concentration, drowsiness, slurred speech, and sleep apnea. When alcohol or any drug of abuse is terminated abruptly by a person who is physiologically dependent they may begin to experience withdrawals. Onset of symptoms of withdrawals begins within 6-12 hours following the cessation or reduction of the drug or alcohol. Withdrawal must be treated, if not withdrawal may progress to withdrawal delirium untreated delirium may result in death. Treatment can be approached on several different bases. Inpatient hospitalization is usually a 2 to 4 week hospitalization in a unit of a general hospital, residential treatment center or psychiatric hospital; therapy provides corrective emotional experiences. This atmosphere provides safety, restricts access to the drug, and monitors self-destructive behavior. Detoxification Is a supervised medical regimen to withdraw the client from drugs that have induced psychological and physiological dependence. Rehabilitation is usually at a long-term hospital that addresses all phases of treatment. In many areas halfway houses serve as a rehabilitation facility that provides a sheltered and emotionally and financially supportive environment with peers. Counseling is a useful and effective means it can be administered on an individual basis or in family counseling. Support groups would be another effective means to support a person with substance-related disorders and their families. There are many groups modeled on the Twelve-Step approach of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Other groups include Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Al-Anon (ANA), Adult Children of Alcoholic’s (ACOA), Sex and love addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Ala-Teen (ALAT). These are a few of the self-help groups that can be contacted in our communities to help those who are abusing or have friends or family members who are abusers. Most of these groups are free of charge and are conducted by people who have abused and are now recovering.

Malaysia Essay examples -- Knowledge Management

A. INTRODUCTION Malaysia has developed Knowledge Management program since 1957 after Independence Day. In early stage 1970’s development a growth was concentrated in the agriculture and natural resources sectors. The official of Knowledge Economy started a few years ago by Former Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad emphasised the knowledge can growth productivity in Knowledge rich economies. In their speech mentioned skill and speed comes from the depth of knowledge that one has of the different elements and technology capacity can be made to work yield desired result. One of the most important to ensure successful KM an organization needs to encourage individuals in the organization to share not only their explicit knowledge but also the tacit knowledge that they have. Smith (2001) was argued if the management does make clear statement employees are likely to share only explicit knowledge because it is easier to encourage the knowledge. Implementing a KM system can be complex and dynamic, no matter how well planned and developed as it involves people and other organizational factors (Bixler, 2002). B. WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT? Many large, medium and small organizations are now engaging in KM in order to gain a competitive advantage in the market place. KM has a significant influence on the success or failure of organizations. According to Call (2005), many different definitions exist for KM and it is often defined as anything someone or organization wants it to be in order to understand the basis of KM at least a broad definition of knowledge. It is a common belief that by leveraging knowledge, an organization can stay competitive in the more globally oriented market of today. Gartner Group Inc. (1996)... ...iatives have centered on nation building, enhancement of the marketplace, promotion of the workplace, customer care, education, community support and environmental conservation to achieve multiple objectives such as community development, human capital development and environmental conservation. As a long-term business strategy, they will continue to invest in staff development to enhance staff core competencies to sustain superior performance and prepare them for career progression. 3. Overview activity based Knowledge Management approach The focus of the Public Bank’s KM initiatives during 2004 shifted from infrastructure development to the more challenging task of embedding knowledge processes within the Bank’s business process operations. Latest KM initiatives activity was launched in order to make KM a natural part of all employees daily activities.

Continental Airlines Case Study

04 – 18 – 2012 Ariel Kramer Summary Frank Lorenzo, in 1986, owned one of the largest airline networks in the world. From a small investment in Texas International Airlines, after restructuring it and bringing the company to profitability, Texas Air bought Continental for $154 million. In order to reorganize the corporation as a more viable enterprise, Lorenzo took Continental into bankruptcy. This process caused a walkout by many union workers, so Lorenzo replaced strikers with nonunion workers at much lower wages. Low-cost operator and cut-rate prices was Lorenzo's way to manage the company.After the corporation emerged out of bankruptcy, Lorenzo bought Eastern Airlines. In an environment of heavy losses, he instituted a severe downsizing program. At first Lorenzo's move appeared to be successfully, but he was wrong and Eastern went out of business. In 1993, Continental tumbled again into bankruptcy. The court approved a reorganization plan for Continental to emerge fr om bankruptcy. In the early 90's, a sick airline industry caused heavy losses not just for Continental but for all the companies. In 1994, Gordon Bethune became chief executive officer of Continental Airlines.He made dramatic changes. Since Continental was by far the worst among the nation's 10 biggest according to the Department of Transportation, Bethune renewed focus on on-time flights, lost luggage, and customer complaints. Customers began returning and Bethune transformed the workforce in a happy one by giving them benefits through achieved goals. The new company's manager apologized to their customers and asked them how we could be better being serving you. Instead of the company's old focus on cost savings, efforts were directed to putting out a better product.By giving employees bonuses for meeting certain standards, the incentive was created. Competing just on price basis leaves any firm vulnerable because it can easily be matched by competitors. Q: If you ran the airline, would you employ theory X or theory Y? Why? Theory X and Theory Y were identified by Douglas McGregor. There is a group of people who think, feel and therefore act according to the assumptions of what he called Theory X, and another group moves according to the assumptions of Theory Y. The theories suggest the possibility of managing human productivity in business organizations, as well as view human behavior within them.According to Theory X, humans do not generally like to work, or want to work as little as possible, as such, most workers have to be monitored and threatened with punishment to achieve the objectives of the company. Employees avoid responsibilities, prefer formal orders whenever possible, show little ambition and put safety above all other factors associated with work. On the Other hand, Theory Y highlights the fact that when a favorable environment, the work can be a natural thing that gives pleasure. In this environment, an employee, when enticed with a reward, en gages more in carrying out his task.In time, the employee ceases to be just under orders and responsibilities and begins looking for some responsibilities (do not confuse this theory with too much freedom or lack of control; it is just a different way of managing human resources within the organizational environment). X and Y theories are interesting, but we must consider the culture of each company and the context that a team is to generate a higher profit. Today, many organizations that succeed show strong traits influenced by the theory Y.Theory Y management style develops an open, dynamic and democratic, through which run becomes a process of creating opportunity, releasing potential, removing obstacles, encouraging individual growth and provide guidance on the objectives. His management style is democratic, creating opportunities and providing guidance on the objectives to the employee. It is up to administrators to provide conditions for development and recognition of characte ristics such as motivation, responsibility and potential for development to employees of the company.In this method of administration, workers can improve their work through their attitudes and their relationship with other workers giving the firm a better place to meet its goals. We can say that on the Theory X, it is an inhumane theory that discards the fact that workers are human beings, normal people, and treat them as machines, as objects, or rather, as the property of the company. An employee who should do no more and no less than the work assigned to him, without making any complaints, criticisms or suggestions.A company that adopts the concepts of theory X, employees presents themselves unmotivated and lazy attitudes and behaviors, on the other hand, if one choose to Theory Y, people will interact and present motivational characteristics. Managing is not enough. Recognize the needs and capabilities of your employees are essential to good business development and administrati on. Q: Evaluate the causes and the consequences of frequent top executive changes such as Continental experienced in the days of Lorenzo? Any company needs a plan.Lorenzo was an administrator who did not have a way of following up with a plan. He often changed his strategy at the first sign of failure and did not give time to his top managers try to reverse the situation. Over a period of 10 years, nine presidents had left Continental. This caused a big problem for the company since every time he changed his plan, time and money were spent to organize another strategy. Planning and focus are important aspects for a company to acquire the desired success. Each manager thinks differently. New ideas are brought after each change in administration.With several points that can be improved in the company, the focus of each manager will face a different problem. Giving time and working conditions to a staff member to develop his projects is essential to achieve results and profits for the company. Lorenzo gave no time for his top managers and each exchange, a new mentality was deployed in the company. One needs time to put his plans into practice and show results. Usually without time there are no results and consequently, no profit. Inconsistent strategies are vulnerable. A manager should always follow a plan to maintain the confidence of investors.The lack of planning is not good for the reputation of the company also with relation to customers. Sometimes a strategy needs to be revised and modified to achieve new goals; however, frequent and drastic changes can make a big burnout among employees. The exchange of managers in the company may have been one of the causes of the low profitability in which Continental had suffered in the middle 80’s. Q: It is 1994 and Bethune has just taken over. As his staff adviser he has asked you to prepare a report on improving customer service as quickly as possible.He has also asked you to design a program to inform both bu siness and nonbusiness potential passengers of this new commitment. Be as specific as possible in your recommendations. First, the company should let everyone know that there have been changes in the administration. By sending email to our customers could be a good way to do it. After a period in which the company had bad times, letting customers and investors know about the changes can bring their confidence back and consequently many customers would start flying with us.Second, we could create a program (perhaps a phone number) where customers can make complaints and propose new ideas. Confidence is everything. We get to get our customers confidence back. Emailing people cost nothing. That is a cheap and easy way to get customers to know about the change. Emailing people does not take so much time either, and, therefore, we got a combination of non-cost and few time spent on this new advertisement. By letting customers know about this new commitment, the company can expect an incr ease on sales because of the return of many unhappy customers who are going to be waiting for a better service.In order to get the expected better service, we get to listen to our customers’ complaints and suggestions. A phone number where people could leave messages or talk to a representative would be a great way to get it done. It is another cheap program that would get the confidence of our customers back. These two ideas will bring the company more customers since they would be excited with the new manager’s ideas. This will also cause a higher profit for Continental Airlines in a short period of time without spending a lot of money.

How to Distinguish Between a File and a Directory in Perl

Lets say youre building a Perl script to traverse a file system and record what it finds. As you open file handles, you need to know if youre dealing with an actual file or with a directory, which you treat differently. You want to glob a directory, so you can continue to recursively parse the filesystem. The quickest way to tell files from directories is to use Perls built-in ​File Test Operators.  Perl has operators you can use to test different aspects of a file. The -f operator is used to identify regular files rather than directories or other types of files. Using the -f File Test Operator #!/usr/bin/perl -w$filename /path/to/your/file.doc;$directoryname /path/to/your/directory;if (-f $filename) {print This is a file.;}if (-d $directoryname) {print This is a directory.; } First, you create two strings: one pointing at a file and one pointing at a directory. Next, test the $filename with the -f operator, which checks to see if something is a file. This will print This is a file. If you try the -f operator on the directory, it doesnt print. Then, do the opposite for the $directoryname and confirm that it is, in fact, a directory. Combine this with a directory glob  to sort out which elements are files and which are directories: #!/usr/bin/perl -wfiles *;foreach $file (files) {if (-f $file) {print This is a file: . $file;}if (-d $file) {print This is a directory: . $file;}}​ A complete list of Perl File Test Operators  is  available online.