Hyderabad: The drug abuse continues to be a major health problem internationally and which was earlier associated with adults has now trickled down to teenagers with a growing number of school children getting addicted to various narcotics.
The twin states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are witnessing the increasing cases of teenager drug abuse cases. There are numerous such examples where the youth are becoming severely addicted to drugs and once after getting addicted to drugs, they will not only commit thefts but will not hesitate to commit bigger crimes as well. The lion's share amongst those who fall into this trap are the college and school going students.
More and more people are turning to marijuana as it can be found easily. In addition, cocaine, heroin, opium and LSD solutions are being taken. Performance pressure from parents with regards to the kid’s education is also seen as one of the causes that is pushing some children towards this escape route of intoxication. Whatever the reasons may be either for entertainment or on an impulse, but this habit slowly makes the user addictive towards its use. Specifically, this habit in children is devastating their future.
Experts suggest that it is the primary responsibility of the parents to make sure that their children do not get lured into this trap.
Role of Parents
* Constantly chasing of children for marks and ranks, insulting them even if one mark is low, and insulting remarks on their performance have a profound effect on the child’s psyche. As a result, children feel insecure and are unable to control their emotions. As an escape route out of such situations children are sometimes trapped in the dungeon of evil habitations.
* Extreme discipline and extreme freedom - both of these can sometimes backfire and lead the children away from families / home.
* In some families, parents often get into fights and abuse each other. That situation has a negative and lasting impact on their children. To get out of such a situation of conflict, many children are looking for happiness and in the process, are exposed to new attractions as a means of escape.
* In some families where parents are separated for some reason, children are being sidelined due to lack of proper supervision. A similar situation exists in children of many families where one or both the parents are themselves addicts and neglect their responsibilities.
Give time to your kids
* Parents should definitely set aside some time to spend with their children, no matter how busy they are in their everyday life.
* Money should be given to meet the needs of the children. However, it should be further supervised as to the way that money is spent by the kids.
* Make sure there is a loving and friendly atmosphere at home.
* Have an eye on the various things being done by the kids at home as well as away from home. Know and find out the kind of friends that the children are making and if there is any behavioural change in the kids all of a sudden etc.
What the experts say
Dr. TS Rao, a psychiatrist from Vijayawada, and Ms. Uma Raj, Administrator at the ‘Green Valley Foundation’, a de-addiction centre in Visakhapatnam, explained the precautions that parents should take to prevent their children from becoming addicted to various vices, in the current situation. The child's behaviour should be monitored regularly and become alerted if there are any special symptoms. They suggest consulting a psychiatrist if necessary and enrolling the children in de-addiction centres, as required.
* Extreme changes in behaviour that is, unusual anger at a slightest note, not taking proper diet and over eating at other times, not caring about personal hygiene, reluctance to meet with family members and others are a few of such symptoms about which the parents should be aware of.
* Occasional theft of money and valuables at home.
* Decreased alertness in the child’s reading and performance.
* Lack of interest in hobbies, sports, and other topics.
* Lack of concentration, being easily distracted.
* Dealing with extreme aggression.
* Trying to sneak around in secrecy.
* Seeming constantly to be in an intoxicated mood, redness of the eyes.
* Sudden weight loss.
* Inability to look directly into the eyes of parents and speak.
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It is also the main responsibility of educational institutions
* Students and youth spend most of the day in educational institutions. Hence, educational institutions also play a key role in identifying drug users and preventing them from becoming addicted.
* Many students become addicted to drugs through classmates. A student who is already addicted to bad habits is more likely to lead the rest of the students too, in his footsteps. So it is important to keep an eye on such students from time to time to identify those who are on the trail of bad addictions. Special counselling should be given to them if necessary. The situation should also be explained to their parents. Disciplinary action should be taken if there is still no change.
* It should be examined if any drugs are being sold anywhere in the vicinity of educational institutions? The seller should be reprimanded if such a situation exists. Irrespective of the same, if there is no change, the local police should be informed and the situation needs to be taken care of so as to not repeat in the future.
* In some of the vocational institutions, there are situations where students themselves are becoming drug suppliers. Such people should be monitored and appropriate action should be taken in time.
* Teaching of studies that promotes personality development and moral values must be ensured.
These are the symptoms of the disease
Many people are falling prey at an innocent age, without proper knowledge of this drug trap. After that they are struggling but are unable to get out of the trap. Doctors say these abrasions can have a serious impact on their health in the long run. They are further explaining that it is mainly prone to various types of diseases.
* Having a constant runny nose with inflammation inside the nostrils.
* Sore throat, hoarseness in voice.
* Rash on the skin.
* Damage to vital veins.
* Stress, sleepiness / insomnia.
* Damage to teeth due to abrasion.
* Heart attack, infections of the valves.
* Blood sputum, cataracts, fatigue, asthma, pneumonia.
