In South Africa there is a high rate of substance abuse and there are Five ways youth could bring about awareness on the negative effects of drug abuse. Despite the stigma being reported there is always a resistance towards seeing treatment for substance abuse. This is evidence pertaining to the depth of the problem.
Substance abuse takes place in both urban and rural areas among youth and is not an uncommon issue. However, reports state that in urban areas substance abuse among the youth is more prevalent in comparison to rural areas. This makes drug awareness for youth imperative.
What is Drug Abuse and Misuse?
According to National Cancer Institute of the United States using illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over the counter drugs other than the purposes it is assigned for constitutes to drug abuse. Also using such substances than the prescribed amount or the excessive use of such drugs also constitutes to drug abuse.
Using drugs especially among the youth have long term detrimental use on the social, emotional, physical and mental well-being. It can also eliminate youth from pursuing higher education and the workforce.
However, according to Health Direct there are a number of things that counts as drug abuse and the side effects of drug abuse and misuse such as:
- When drugs are used for a purpose other than what it is originally intended for or used in excessive amounts
- Abusing drugs involves using both illegal drugs and medications
- Drug abuse cause problems such as dependency, addiction, and drug tolerance
- These side effects have a negative impact on the lives of youth causing them physical deterioration and mental disruption
- Overcoming substance and drug abuse involves seeking support and help or speaking to your doctor
The causes of Youth in South Africa Resorting to Drugs?
There are a number of reasons that cause drug abuse and dependency among youth and why this is a prevailing issue. According to the National Institute of Health these reasons are:
- Drugs being easily and swiftly available within communities or the household
- Economic challenges
- Unemployment and lacking purpose in life
- Limited or a lack of sufficient social support networks
- Social pressure among friend circles
- Pressure and demands to meet family needs
- A conflicting family environment
Among the many negative effects of drug abuse among the youth, many of these individuals entangle themselves in a range of criminal activities. These include violence, bullying and theft.
Due to the harmful effects of substance use in the body deviant behavior among youth are on the rise. It is also associated with much negative behavior such as:
- Mental Disorders
- Irrational decision making
- Social disorganization
- Social interaction with deviant groups
- Engaging in risky sexual behavior
- Increasing of sexually transmitted diseases
Some of the ways in which how are drugs affecting the youth today consist of academic failure or decline, appetitive aggression, challenges with discipline, and lack of classroom management.
How to Prevent Getting Addicted to Drugs?
Drug awareness for youth is important in order to increase the prevention of getting addicted to drugs. Although there exist no way or guarantee in preventing an individual from abusing drugs and alcohol, there are steps and measures people can take in order to prevent such abuse such as:
- Understand how substance abuse develops. Substance abuse starts by
- Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure.
- Seek help for mental illness
- Examine the risk factors
- Keep a well-balanced life
- Develop goals and dreams for your future
Five Ways youth could bring about Awareness on the negative effects of drug abuse
Among the many ways you the can bring about awareness and get involves preventing the use and misuse of drugs among youth, there are five ways youth could bring about Awareness on the negative effects of drug abuse.
Organizing an Awareness Event
You can get involved and host youth substance abuse prevention programs starting with your community. These can include fundraisers, runs, fairs, educational programs, walks, concerts or any other fun activity in order to raise money. This money can be donated to an organisation that aids in working towards ending substance abuse.
Share Your Knowledge
Everyone youth that is passionate to bring about awareness from drugs will not have the necessary means to fund and organise events. In such cases you can still find ways to spread awareness among your communities.
An easy way to do this that does not take up too much of your resources is to start conversations and share your experiences with people in your community. Remember to also be sensitive and respectful towards people that have undergone such experiences or lost a family or friend for drug abuse.
Raising Awareness through your experience
I you have friends or family suffering from drug abuse and if you are comfortable enough you can start a conversation with them. And also educate them in the negative effects of drug and substance abuse.
This will be a good opportunity to share any strategy you have used to overcome drug and substance abuse or a strategy that you are educated about. When people that struggle hear about how you or others overcame the same issue.
They will also be more inclined and open towards initiating change in their lives that will help them break their addictions. This will also help them understand how are drugs affecting the youth today.
Promoting Positive Mental Health
There are overlapping tendencies for substance abuse and mental health. Around 50% of people that abuse substances or drugs have mental health disorders. One of the reasons such people struggle with mental health issues is they cannot find healthy coping mechanisms and they turn to substance abuse.
Helping people to manage their mental health by promoting positive mental health will go a long way. Start with your community ad look for options for mental health providers and share their information on social media and people in your circles.
Another way you can encourage people that struggle with substance abuse by encouraging them to join an exercise group, mindfulness activities or other self-care routines.
Volunteering
You can also volunteer your time on educating the youth on the negative effects of drug abuse and its impacts. This can be done by volunteering with organisations or gaining opportunities to work or volunteer with rehabilitation centers.
There are organisations that provide positive role models for youth relying on community volunteers. You can also volunteer with children as 47% people have their first drink before the age of 18. And it indicates that people that begin drinking at an early age are more likely to get into addiction.
Conclusion
The prevalence of drug and substance abuse among the youth are very high. This is specially the case where youth are from urban areas having more access to illegal drugs. This highlights the necessity to pay attention to schools and the lives of children and youth and always ensure support or overcome challenges pertaining to drug abuse.
Youth getting involves has many benefits starting with communities, being volunteers and positive role models. This can increase the prevention of substance abuse among youth and many different communities.
Key Points
- It’s crucial for youth to actively spread awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, especially since it’s more prevalent in urban areas.
- Misusing drugs, whether illegal or prescription, negatively affects the social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being of young people, potentially derailing their education and future careers.
- Factors like easy access to drugs, unemployment, and social pressures are major causes of drug abuse among South African youth.
- Youth involved in drug abuse are more likely to engage in criminal activities, including violence, theft, and risky behaviors that lead to sexually transmitted diseases.
- Youth should take steps to prevent drug abuse by understanding its causes, avoiding peer pressure, and maintaining a balanced life.
- Organizing events, sharing personal experiences, promoting positive mental health, and volunteering are effective ways for youth to raise awareness about the negative effects of drug abuse.
FAQs
How can we raise awareness about drug abuse?
Educating young people from the beginning pertaining to the negative effects and dangers of drugs and substance abuse is crucial. Promoting healthy coping mechanisms which can help in reducing addiction will also be effective methods.
School programs, involving parents and community support are effective ways to prevent substance abuse.
How do I start drug awareness?
Drug awareness for your child should start in the home and be modeled in classroom education and promoted by law enforcement. Openness and honesty among parents and children is fundamental.
What are the problems of drug abuse among the youth?
Youth that have prolonged and continuous history of substance abuse often experience a range of problems. These include academic failure, health related issues, poor mental health, complicated peer relationships and involvement with juvenile system.
How to reduce drug abuse in a community?
Preventative action is mandatory such as activities, games, cultural programs or workshops. Education is also a useful tool which can help raise awareness and educate young mind pertaining to the dangers of drug abuse.
