Drug abuse

KARACHI: The teenage years are typically a period of experimentation, regardless of parenting skills and influence. The first big transition for children is when they leave the security of the family and enter school. Later, when they advance from elementary school to middle school, they often experience new social situations such as learning to get along with a wider group of peers. It is at this stage that children are likely to encounter drugs for the first time. Cannabis is the most common illegal drug used by teenagers with around one in five having tried it at least once.

There is no way to guarantee your child will never take drugs, but parents can reduce the possibility of their teenager experiencing drug problems in a number of ways. Young people use drugs for similar reasons that adults do, to change how they feel because they want to feel better or different. Other reasons may include: socialising with friends, the need to feel part of a group, relaxation, fun, curiosity, wanting to take risk, to escape from psychological or physiological pain.

There are no parenting skills or behaviours that guarantee a young person will never touch drugs. However, parents and guardians can reduce the possibility of a young person experiencing drug problem in a number of ways. Foster a close and trusting relationship with your child from an early age, and support and encourage positive behaviour, encourage a healthy approach to life, including good foods, regular exercise and sports. Encourage your child to have more than one group of friends. Allow your child to practise responsibility and develop good decision-making skills from an early age. Keep yourself informed about drugs and educate your child on the dangers of drug abuse. Do not exaggerate or make information up. Have open and honest discussions about drugs.

Maruf Haider

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2019.

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