Drug use and management
Drug use and management in the aviation industry should be multilateral action. Members of the crew should be checked before departure and on arrival to their destination. According to the rule that was established by United Nations members concerning psychotropic and narcotic substances, all states should be involved in managing substance abuse and trafficking. The ‘Convention on Narcotic Drugs,’ as amended in 1972, recognized substance abuse as a social and economic problem. The impacts of drug abuse have been detrimental in the aviation industry with Germanwings Flight 9525 case identified alcohol and drug abuse as a significant cause of aviation accidents. Employees of prominent service providers have also been arrested in drug trafficking, which increases their exposure to drugs. Price and Forest in their publication in science direct in 2016 identify People working in cargo or as the crew members as one of the avenues used by smugglers. To avoid exposure to drugs and drug-related issues, checks should be enhanced at all levels and to all personnel who have access to the facilities (European Aviation Safety Agency, 2015).
One of the primary reasons people suffering from drug abuse and addiction fail to seek assistance is due to stigmatization and severe punishment associated with the problem: the United Nations convection and restorative justice approach advocates for a more acceptable strategy to solving social issues. Individuals identified to be suffering from the problem should be supported towards recovery program. Intervention measures should be done during onset stages. To ensure issues are managed at onset stages, it is vital to have an integrated approach that would offer sustainable rehabilitation, treatment, and reintegration to the system and the society. Early intervention has economic and social benefits since it reduces the cost that can arise from fatal accidents or loss of livelihood to the victims (United Nations, 2018).
Another area where society can play a significant role is on issues of cultural values. Cultural values, which are the backbone of social norms, has a considerable role in ideologies and lifestyle of the people. In most societies, alcohol use is considered a social activity for adults. However, despite its acceptance by society and legalization by law, it causes more harm than good. Social activities that harm the community should not be advocated. One of the common practices in the aviation industry is the provision of meals and portable drinks during long-distance flights. As mitigation measures and enhancement of professional ethics, alcoholic beverages should not be served during trips. The aviation industry has identified and associated alcohol and drug use as one of the major causes of accidents. By prohibiting the consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances, it would promote adherence to abstain by the passengers and staff (European Aviation Safety Agency, 2015).
Parent lifestyle is critical to child growth and development. When a senior adult consumes alcohol or any other drug in the presence of children, he or she influence their cognitive perception to the vice. Parents and guardians, apart from offering most need guidance, should also be led by examples and serve as role models to the kids. The pilot consumed engaged in drinking even in the presence of children. Children will emulate behaviors they observe from the role models, and thus, the culture of alcohol and drug use continues to be a social problem even in future generations. Adults should take the matter as an individual responsibility to enhance positive and constructive behaviors to their children for the benefit of the family and society. The society that engages in drug use remains retrogressive and experiences most of the social problems. Misuse of income and interdiction lead to financial constraints not only to victims but also to the children and close family members. Report by United Nations on drug abuse in 2018 stated that the behavior among the youths and young people continue to increase. An increase in the use of drugs among the young generation should raise the alarm to the parents and society at large. The government and NGOs organizations should also be involved in mitigating the behavior (United Nations, 2018).