DRUG ADDICTION AMONG THE TEENAGERS
According to an article titled ‘Drug Problems in Malaysia’ in DARA Thailand, young people are the fastest rising group of drug users in Malaysia. Drug addicts are considered as criminals in Malaysia. Nowadays, drug addiction in Malaysia is getting widespread and has reached the level of alarming and this is a big threat to the country. Various efforts were undertaken by various parties, especially the government in dealing with drug addiction problems.
Addiction is a type of disease that affects our brain and also behavior. Alike drug addiction harms a person’s brain and also behavior. Addiction is when you cannot control or stop from consuming it. When a person intake drug, they will start creating a tolerance with it. As time elapse, they will start to use larger amounts of drugs to get the same effects as earlier. According to TREATMENT EPISODES DATA SET (TEDS) 1992-2002, SAMHSA, 2006, Marijuana is most addictive drug. Many teens are diagnosed with primary intake of Marijuana who are under treatment. Marijuana are referred as a gateway drug. Teenagers who use Marijuana can quickly lead to addiction.
According to the scientists, human brain is the most complex organ in the body. Our brain is like a computer without electrical circuits and electronic devices. Instead our brain consists of billions of neurons which are organised into circuits and networks. Eventually, drug interfere with the process of brain which send, receive signals via neurotransmitters. Chemical substances in the drugs will affect the chemical process in our brain.
Drug consumption will cause some health problems. Some drugs like inhalants, will damage and destroy nerve cells in our brain. Then, drug increases the risk of getting Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C. These infections are caused by sharing of injection equipment among the drug addicts. Infection of heart and skin are caused by the exposure to bacteria by injection of drug used. Drug addiction will cause weight loss, nausea and vomiting.
Furthermore, drug addiction causes teenagers to face problems in learning. This is because drug damages our short-term and long-term memory which lead to problems with learning. They also cannot concentrate in the class and they will be left out in their studies. Drug addiction also can cause brain damage where the teenagers will face mental disorders or permanent damage to the brain and nervous system. Brain shrinkage, amnesia and memory problems are some examples of brain damage.
Drug addiction causes teenagers to undergo behavioral problems. It will increase the risk of being depressed and suicidal thoughts and violence. According to a recent survey, teens who consume drugs are more likely to involve in fighting and stealing. Usually, teens who are addicted to drugs may become uncharacteristically angry and isolated. They have dramatic mood swings. They are more aggressive compared to others.
There are reasons why teenagers are addicted to drug. First of all, curiosity of trying drug lead them to be addicted. Nowadays, people are very eager to try things that are prohibited. This is because they want to explore the effects of the drug which give them pleasant effect. Some of them are influenced by their friends. This is one of the main factors because teenagers spend most of their time with their friends compared to their family. There will be challenges among them to show their heroism. The insistence of a friend to try drugs eventually leads to a long-lasting sense of addiction. If they are in the circle of drug addicts, soon they will get addicted too.
Teenagers also use drugs to feel good. Teenagers who are depressed try drugs to make them feel good. They feel like drugs will boost up their self-confidence and make them to feel more powerful and energetic. For example, heroin gives them a feeling of relaxation and satisfaction where they think that drugs make them comfortable and can forget about their pains.
Next, family factors, parental behavior, family relationships, home atmosphere, and financial problem are reasons for the addiction among teenagers. It is said that majority drug addicts come from families where their parents are divorced, the separation or death of the head of the family. Some of the parents are very busy with their work until they forget to look after their children. The children will feel themselves left alone and there is no one to take care of them and communication between their parents are very less. As a result of this situation, teenagers will try to meet the needs from other sources including drugs.
Furthermore, depression also a factor for addiction of drugs. Over depression will let someone to take drugs to calm their mind. Initially, the drug was taken only to stimulate the mind for serenity, but frequent addiction of drugs lead to addiction. Some types of drugs taken by a person can cause stimulation for a long period of time. This will result in long term addictive users. Serious addiction can cause soul damage.
How do we prevent teenagers from getting addicted to drugs? Educating Teens on Drugs plays an important role in preventing them from consuming drugs. In a research it is stated that the human brain isn’t completely mature until 25 years old, and the most dramatic changes in growth happen during adolescence. Because of this, teens aren’t always mentally equipped to make the best decisions about their health and future. Educating teenagers on risks of consuming drugs can enable them to think wisely and take better choices.
In prevention of drug addiction among teenagers, family plays an important role. First of all, parents should establish rules in their home. They should explain the family rules to the teens and let them know the effects of using drugs. Some of the rules that parents can establish are leaving a party where drug consumption occurs and avoid friends who are addicted to drug. Parents should spend some time with their children. They can have at least one meal a day with the whole family members.
Moreover, parents should talk with the teenagers to know their feelings and behaviors. They should ask their teen’s views. Instead of giving lecture to them, listening to teenager’s opinion will be more helpful. Parents should discuss reasons why teens should not take drugs and explain the consequences of consuming drugs. They have to discuss ways to resist peer pressure and about how to avoid drug offers. Nowadays parents are less known about their children’s friends and their activities outside the house. Parents should take initiative in getting know their teenager’s friends and their activities. Parents have to pay attention to their teenager’s whereabouts. For example, parents have to take initiative to know what adult-supervised activities their teens are interested and encourage them to get involved.
If the teen’s friends are drug addicts, he or she might feel pressure to experiment too. As a parent, they have to advice their teens to stay away from their friends. In order to teenagers listen to their parents’ advice, parents should show some love towards them. Parents should let their teenagers know that they love them and care about their future. For example, parents can attend their teen’s school or college activities and show some support for their interests. Parents can praise them and give encouragement when teenagers succeed. This causes bond between parents and teenagers to get stronger. Teenagers also will believe their parents and feel free to share their problem with their parents.
There are few treatments provided in Malaysia for teenagers who are addicted to drugs. Drug addicts can attain better and cheaper treatments locally as Malaysia is equipped to handle this serious problem. Here are some of the treatment option that can be obtained at Malaysia:
- NA (Narcotics Anonymous)
It is an international, non-governmental, non-religious and profit organization which helps drug addicts to recover from it. This organization believes the value of one drug addict helping another without parallel. This help is through sharing the experiences and hope of one addict to another during the meetings which held in various cities in the country. The senior members help newcomers through a program of self transformation known as 12-Steps of NA. For further information about NA people can contact na_kl@hotmail.com.
2. AADK (Cure & Care Rehabilitation Centers)
The National Anti- Drug Agency (AADK) have their own rehabilitation centres which is in form of cure and care clinics nationwide. Their services are manly for those who have ben convicted of drug taking under the Malaysian law. Their services are free where treatment ranges between 6 to 11 months in house. It is said that their programmes are fun and more effective in treating drug addiction throughout Malaysia.
In conclusion, it is known that drug addiction is very harmful to us and also our country. Moreover, teenagers should not involve in drug addiction, since they are next leaders of our country. All of us equally have to get rid of this problem in our country. Drug addiction not only spoil our country’s name, but also affect our teenagers’ life. So, parents and other parties like media, school organization have to play important role in preventing drug addiction among teenagers. Together we have to develop our country and society.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112
2. https://www.addictioncenter.com/teenage-drug-abuse/teenage-substance-abuse-prevention/
3. https://www.dararehab.com/blog/drug-problems-in-malaysia/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4421936/
5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-drug-abuse/art-20045921