Understanding Drug Use: A Social Science Perspective In drug use, it is important to differentiate between a social science perspective and a moralistic, or punitive, viewpoint. The former primarily addresses moral judgements and punishment whereas the latter, a social science perspective, attempts to understand drug use within the broader context of societal, cultural, economic and psychological factors. Chapter 1 of the reading material speaks to this disparity, pointing out the tendency of moralistic views to stigmatize drug users, whom they view as nothing but individuals who have chosen to be addicted and thus have failed morally. In contrast to this, social scientists tend to view drug use as a complicated issue shaped by different social, environmental, and individual factors. Social scientists look into the determinants of drug use through multilevel methods, focusing on factors like demographic features, socioeconomic status, peer influences, and mental health problems. For instance, studies may show that families with lower socioeconomic status use drugs more frequently because people who are poor may turn to drugs as a way of coping. Correlational studies are vital to the exploration of possible connections; however, they also have their own shortcomings. Causation is not implied by the correlation as the variables are related but the former may not cause the latter (Hart & Ksir, 2015). Besides, correlational studies may be based on self-reported data that could be susceptible to biases and inaccuracies. In Chapter 2 the social science perspective of the relationship between drug use and crime is explored which establishes the difference between the cause and the correlation. Although drug use and criminal activity are correlated, it is essential to realize that correlation is not the same thing as causation. Drug use can be linked to crime due to several underlying reasons, which may include the aspects of socioeconomic disadvantage, mental health issues, or Written Assignment 1: The Social Science Viewpoint Toward Drugs After completing the reading and video content, please complete a 500-700 word essay that addresses each of the following points. Your essay should be one cohesive paper with accurately documented sources in APA format. You should not number each point, but rather incorporate each seamlessly in your essay. Specifically citing your reading content from Chapters 1 and 2, please explain how a social science perspective toward drug use differs from a moralistic, or punitive viewpoint.  Explain how social scientists study the “correlates of drug use”. Giving specific examples, explain the strengths and weaknesses of these types of studies.  Referring to Chapter 2, explain how social scientists describe the relationship between drug use and crime in society. Be sure to analyze the difference between drug use as a “cause” of crime versus being “correlated” with crime.  Referring directly to the content of Chapter 3, explain the ways in which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates pharmaceutical drugs in the United States.  Continuing with your analysis of Chapter 3, do you think that the federal government should regulate recreational drugs in the same way that it regulates pharmaceutical drugs? Why or why not?