In a culture with such diverse commonalities, precedent-setting differences arise from social norms. These norms set the standard for what is acceptable behavior. Being known as a melting pot of a population, we can expect norms to be influenced by religion, values, ideas and personal opinions. Deviant behaviors occur when these social norms are disrupted and acts are deemed to go against what we have always thought was wrong or strange. Deviance is a broad term that encompasses the idea that we know what is right by what our neighbor does. For example, fashion trends change quite quickly. If you don't believe me watch TV shows that are reminiscent of the 70's, 80's and so on. Today we look at what people wore in previous decades and find it hard to imagine people dressing this way now. However, back when that style was popular, it was seen as the way to dress. The rules change to adapt to the current popular trend. Likewise, deviance is opposed to what is unpopular. There are deviant acts far more serious than dressing in the wrong decade; they are also strongly tied to the law. Laws are stricter than the behaviors of changing times. They are untouched by the idea that if caught participating in such acts you could face serious punishment and rightly so. Let's look at a form of deviance that has persisted in our culture for many years. One type of deviance that has influenced opinion over the years is drug use. According to Webmd.com “Drugs are chemicals that enter the brain's communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive and process information. There are at least two ways in which drugs are able to do this: by imitating the brain's natural chemical messenger... middle of paper... instead of simply seeing users as low people, we can work not only on decreasing the amount of drug use, but addressing the factors surrounding it.Alex RogersSoc 222, Spach18/11/13ReferencesGoldberg, J. (2012, October 10). Drug abuse, addiction and the brain. In the Mental Health Center. Retrieved November 13, 2013, from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/drug-abuse-addiction?page=3Rodriguez, C.Y. (n.d.). Hispanic teens are more likely to use drugs, study says. In CNN Health. Retrieved September 3, 2013, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/31/health/hispanic-teen-drug-useThe Truth About Drugs (2006). In Why do people take drugs?. Retrieved November 13, 2013, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/drugs/why-do-people-take-drugs.html Thio, ., Taylor, ., & Schwartz, . (2013). Deviant behavior (11th ed., pp. 5-7). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.