We live in an age where a lot of focus is on the environment. People are going green and doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint. One of the threats the environment is facing is something that might surprise you.
Drug use may threaten a person’s mind and body. At the same time, it can also do its part to threaten the environment as well. We will explain the ways it’s hurting the environment and what you can do to pitch in and make the world a better place for other people.
If you are in need of help for drug abuse or addiction, Infinite Recovery can be able to help. You can find out more information on Infinite Recovery’s landing page. With that said, let’s dig a little deeper and discuss the environmental impact drug use may have.
Chemical waste due to drug production
To be more specific, the production of synthetic drugs like ecstasy and MDMA are notorious for being wasteful in terms of chemicals. The production of MDMA itself can lead to regarding 10 kilograms of toxic waste.
Such chemicals like hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and acetone will be wasted. Not to mention, these are harmful chemicals in which you will need to wear protective gear while using. More than 7000 tons of the chemicals listed above were dumped in bodies of water or on land close to rivers.
It has gotten to a point where sodium hydroxide may appear in bodies of water and threaten the animals living in it. It’s so corrosive that scientists decided to experiment using a chicken leg. After two days, only the bone was present while the meat was eaten away.
Even chemical waste is being dumped in containers that are used to collect excrement from livestock. The dung is used to fertilize certain crops. Because of the chemical waste, trace amounts of certain drugs were found in coin lice.
Imagine trace amounts of drugs found in a natural food supply like corn or any vegetables we may eat. That may seem unusual. But that is something that might happen in the future.
Cannabis production and its large carbon footprint
While marijuana is legal in much of the United States and parts of the world, the production can be problematic for the environment. This includes its ability to take in a ton of various resources due to the optimal amount of lighting, ventilation, and temperature control it needs.
It has gotten to the point where in the United States alone, those producing marijuana are collectively responsible for one percent of the energy consumption. They are also responsible for producing nearly 17 tons of carbon dioxide despite producing marijuana indoors.
Even a single joint when smoked has the same carbon footprint as potatoes that weigh nearly seven pounds. But this is not the only issue that cannabis production may be responsible for.
Cannabis production leads to water stress
There is no denying that cannabis requires a ton of water. Because of their high demand, they are taking in more water than grapes or tomatoes. Large scale crops may require up to six gallons of water per day in order to sustain their growth.
In places like California, where nearly three-quarters of the cannabis consumed in America is grown, this is already a challenge. That’s because the state has long dealt with water conservation issues due to drought conditions.
Still, in areas where water is abundant, water waste can also be a problem. The production process is more to blame than use itself. However, usage is also responsible for creating environmental problems themselves.
Needles and syringes being littered
It’s common to see needles and syringes used for injecting drugs being found on the ground. This is a threat to the environment because of the disposal of plastics and metals. On top of that, it also poses a health hazard.
Persons coming in contact with used needles may risk contracting infectious diseases. Regardless, the use and disposal of certain drug paraphernalia has proven itself to be a threat.
Cocaine production and deforestation
Colombia has long been the leading country in producing cocaine. At one point, it produced well over 1100 tons of pure cocaine, which is a record number for the continent of South America. In the last 20 years, regarding 300,000 hectares or close to 750 million acres of forest had been cleared due to cocaine production.
Imagine one’s addiction to drugs leading to the destruction of a forest. This is what happens when there are approximately 20 million people addicted to cocaine. If that isn’t a shocking fact, we’re not sure what else to present.
Opium production hogging a lot of land
More than 250 hectares of land across the world are being used for opium production. These are spread out across three countries: Afghanistan, Mexico, and Myanmar. All three countries are collectively responsible for 85 percent of the world’s supply.
Aside from the amount of land they are taking up, they are also consuming plenty of energy. While some of it may look like a green approach on paper, it’s not. To prove this, the groundwater levels in places like Afghanistan are sinking by almost 10 feet per year.
The amount of water is dwindling by the year and it may get to the point where people may flee their homes. Opium may be uprooting people from their homes, even if they have never used it. Or much less associate themselves with someone who has used it.
Final Thoughts
Drug use and its environmental impact is stunning. However, it is up to you to get the help you need. Not only will you be helping yourself, but you’re helping the environment in part. It’s important to take the best care of yourself.
Infinite Recovery will be your go-to place. Beat your addiction and make the world a better place at the same time. Contact us today and we’ll get you started on your path to recovery.
