Social problems can be defined by many different people, many different ways. A social problem is a condition that was born from a society that is not an ideal situation. Given this definition of a social problem, it is well known that the Appalachian region is home to many of them. It also goes without saying that there have been many outside influences that have tried to step into Appalachia in an attempt to solve these problems, but this process has often been unsuccessful if not entirely useless. Nothing aids the Appalachian region as well as the organization of local people. Two social problems that have greatly impacted the social sphere of Appalachia are poverty and drug abuse.
Poverty is perhaps one of the most striking social issues in Appalachia. It is common knowledge that poverty impacts many people’s way of life. The economy is declining along with the coal industry, towns are hollowed out as people flee, and communities are scarred by family dissolution, prescription drug abuse and a high rate of imprisonment. Poverty disrupts the lives of many while stripping opportunities from the children of the next generation. Poverty is so prevalent in Appalachia because many areas’ economies rely solely on one natural resource: coal. This is the case in Cumberland Kentucky, an area from which both of my parents came. The city which was once bustling has been exploited of its natural resources leaving many without employment. When the primary source of employment dies out in Appalachian areas, many are left impoverished.
There is something to be said for the amount of hope that is still alive in Appalachian people. Programs in broken communities are scattered throughout the Appalachian area. One local example of people organizing to address poverty is the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP). Founded in 1964 by Ralph W. Beiting in Hagerhill, Kentucky the CAP works to provide hunger and poverty relief via the Grateful Bread Food Pantry. The CAP also provides clothing, books, and household items to low-income households in Appalachia. The Christian Appalachian Project’s Operation Sharing program collects donated goods from partners and corporations. These goods are then sorted and delivered to the families and individuals in Appalachia who need them most. The Christian Appalachian project is efficient and does not spend many of their contributions on administrative costs.
Another social issue that has had a massive impact on Appalachia is drug abuse. This Is What Poverty Looks Like is an intriguing photo documentary segment in which Scott Rodd, the author and photographer, listens in on a conversation between a logger from Appalachia and the owner of Kooper’s General Store (Karl) in Beattyville, Kentucky. Beattyville is noted as one of the US’s poorest communities and for its lack of jobs and high rates of drug abuse.
I hate the drugs in this damn country. That’s the cause of most the problems we have around here—not all, but most. They spend millions of dollars to fix it, but that’s all for show—they let this county go wild. Kids get hooked on this sh** and you see it generation after generation. The parents pass it along to the kids.
– Karl (Owner of Kooper’s General Store in Beatyville, KY)
Substance abuse in Appalachia has torn apart families, ruined the lives of many, and corrupted the future of many children whether it be their parents’ inability to support them, or the collapsing of their potential from them following in their footsteps.
Little has been done to fight growing substance abuse rates in the Appalachian region, and often times if preventative measures are put in place to prevent people from obtaining drugs they will often find a way around it which is the primary reason these attempts have been unsuccessful. In Appalachia, clinics nicknamed “Pill Mills” where doctors prescribe large amounts of medications after little examinations of their patients are littered everywhere. Residents in Johnson and Owsley counties are pushing for new controls on such clinics, and officials say they’ve heard from people in other counties who also are interested in the idea. Although little has been done thus far, there is still hope.
Where the sun comes up about ten in the morning
And the sun goes down about three in the day
And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you’re drinking
And you spend your life just thinkin’ of how to get away
– Brad Paisley (You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive)
