DRUG ABUSE AMONG THE YOUTHS

Protocols

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Victor Canice Ezirim, a Mass

Communicator and Youth advocacy enthusiast. Today I’m going to speak
about the Dangers of Drug Abuse among the youth.

Drug abuse among the youth is a growing concern across the world. With
easy access to drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin and others young
demographics in our society are daily exposed to the temporary penchant
for illicit drugs. It is frightening to see how many young people are rapidly
falling prey to addiction. It is evident that drug abuse disrupts the growth
and development of young people, and also presents significant health and
social dangers. We are all familiar with the infamous tales of the meth
popularly called “mkpulummili” in the South East and the terrific woes of
the tramadol menace in the North East and West.

Drug abuse does not only affect a person’s life but also the lives of those
around them. Friend and families usually suffer incessantly from a loved
one’s drug addiction. The drug abuse issue is something we need to take
seriously because it can destroy our communities and the future of our
young people.

The behavioral problem caused by substance abuse can cause many side
effects on the user. It is generally bad for the brain, and consequently, it
will affect one’s your behavioral patterns, induce paranoia, provoke
authority resistance, hallucinations, impulsiveness, and loss of self-control.

These problems can cause heavy damage to one’s life and future. The
paranoia and hallucination makes one hard to concentrate and will
eventually disturb the studying capabilities of our youths resulting in lower
grades and failure at school.

The aggressiveness, impulsiveness and loss of self-control can lead us to

troubles in school and at home. Are we really willing to ignore all the red
flags for only a temporary happiness? Just a puff can cause a fall!
The reason for drug abuse among youths can vary from peer pressure,
anxiety and depression to lack of proper guidance to name a few.
Whatever the reason, it is crucial that we address the issue of illicit drugs
because of its negative impact on our society.

The responsibility is given to the adults to provide guidance for our young
people. We should educate them on the dangers of drug abuse and provide
them with support if they experience any problem. Stigmatization of those
with drug problems is not a solution. Parent should also secure their
prescription drugs and encourage their kids to resist peer pressure and live
a drug-free life. The role of faith based institutions like the churches and
mosques is vital in the curbing the menace of drug abuse.

Moreover, the government and non-governmental organizations and

public institutions should provide awareness campaigns about drug abuse
prevention. These campaigns can take the form of communities outreach
programs, seminars and workshop to educate young people. Rallies within
famous social influencers that can attract the youth is also a viable tool to
pass on the message to steer off drugs.

In conclusion, we also must pitch to join the campaign knowing the dangers
of drug abuse, I urge everyone to take up the mantle of ending drug abuse
among our young people and also help to hamper the young ones curiosity
in psychotropic drugs. We need to strengthen our support system in
educating our children and youth on drug abuse prevention, and offer
support to those affected. The future of our community lies in the hands of
our young people. Let us endeavour to keep them safe and on the right
track for the sales of our posterity and be able to harness the valuable
potentialities that might be wasted in the dungeon of drug abuse.