Drug abuse among adolescent in educational institution

Dr.Meenakshi Tripathi Lecturer cum Incharge Deptt. Of Home Science Bareilly College , Bareilly ( U.P.)

Adolescent drug use is a reality in most schools. Sadly, as it is, this kind if social evil has driven more and more youngsters to nowhere but cruelty and crime. It is very important to point out the causes that lead to this problem; some of them can be low esteem, lacks of parental attention and influence of bad friends. To begin with, teens often start using drugs because of low esteem. This is partly a psychological matter since teens are especially sensitive during adolescence. At this very period, they are too old to be children and too young to be adults. This is notably because youth is a time for experimenting and identity forming. There are times when teens feel so perplexed and bewildered to act properly or have no idea on how to act. As a result many of them take refuge in drugs, thinking that this is a way to reduce tension, worries and above all, to enhance pleasure. Teens with some problems like broken family, abusive and violent parents are more likely to be indulged with drugs. Simply enough, drugs help them to escape reality, in fact the dreadful reality as they may think. Another reason for drug abuse is obviously the lack of parental attention. Mostly, both parents work outside the home. They hardly have much time, if any, to pay attention to their childrens needs. Therefore, improperly guided by parents, teens are easily misled. In India an N G O survey revealed that 63.6% of patients coming in for treatment were introduced to drugs at a young age below 18. The problem in India is there are no sensitization programs about drug abuse in schools or for children out of school or for children out of school. India does not have a substance abuse policy. There is also a high incidence of charging children under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance ( N D P S ) Act 1985. Adolescents who at times done have access to high quality drugs will use volatile substances easily found in corner stores such as cough syrups, pain relief ointment, glue, paint, gasoline, cleaning fluids and whitners.There are very few health centers that deal with child substance abuse problems, especially in the rural areas. The use of tobacco is another major concern amongst adolescence In India 20 million children a year and nearly 55,000 children a day are drawn into a tobacco addiction. So keeping in view the gravity of problem serious majors are utmost required at personal, familial and governmental level to resolve the issue at the priority level

CAUSES Researchers have identified more than fifty factors that put young people at risk for drug abuse. These factors can be divided into two basic paths to addiction; young people who use drugs for social acceptance and those who use drugs for suffering and need to escape from their own lives. Whatever be the reason, the consequences of drug use are the same. Peer Pressure: Youth associates with different types of people otherwise known as friends, through the pressure from these friends, children tend to have a taste of these drugs and once this is done, they continue to take it and become addicted to it at the long run. Depression: Another primary cause of drug abuse is depression. When certain things happen to someone which are considered very sad and disheartening, the person starts thinking of the best way to become happy once more, hence the use of hand drugs come in. This later on turns to a habit, hence drug abuse. REMEDIES Today many parents are concerned about alcohol and illegal drug use and they need help to deal with this frightening threat to their childrens health and well-being. School and community groups can help parents on drug and alcohol abuse. Schools have a vital role in the development and delivery of drug education to young people. It is important for schools to recognize the value of engaging in discussions with young people, parents, professional and members of the community about drug education and prevention programs. However, it is important to note that school alone cannot solve the drug problem. Parents have a vital part in drug education. It must begin at home long before the classroom and school. Building strong relationships with children plays a major role in preventing kids from experimenting with drugs. Here are some tips Have strong, loving relationships with their children. Be available for their kids when needed. Talk and listen to their kids. Praise their kids. Teach standards of right and wrong. Set and enforce needs for behaviour. Provide knowledge about the risks of using drugs. Show the facts about drugs and drug abuse. Be a good model.

References :
Paplia and old : Human Development , Tata McGraw hill publication. Margaret o. Hyde, John F. Setaro: Drugs 101 : An overview of Teens. Don Fontelle: Keys to parenting your Teenager , Barrons educational series.