By Happy del Rosario
August 27, 2016
We
all have our ideals. Many of us are surrounded with children and youth—whether
we live with them at home or work with them in school, church, or other
institutions. And regardless of our ideals, many of us want an environment
where safety and progress are felt.
With
all the news going on in the Philippines’ war on drugs—whether what one side
thinks is right or wrong to do; or whether we are really helping or
rehabilitating the people involved or victimized because of drug abuse, one has
to think: How do I keep my teenager out
of trouble? Or How do we keep our
children safe?
As
parents, we need to understand the core issues behind drug (or alcohol)
use/addiction, and help our children understand—talk to them about the
dangers of taking or drinking them. Like
I said on my last post, Change Begins With Me, “Our leaders cannot do it
alone. They need us. We need each other.” Parents and guardians need to take it upon
themselves to get involved because, believe me, whatever we see in our
communities has a correlation with whatever is going on inside the home in
general.
According
to one psychologist, here are reasons (oh,
but not excuses!) why teenagers end up using drugs—PARENTS, take note:
“Other People — Teenagers see lots of people using
various substances. They see their parents and other adults drinking alcohol,
smoking, and, sometimes, abusing other substances. Also, the teen social scene
often revolves around drinking and smoking. Sometimes friends urge one another
to try a drink or smoke something, but it’s just as common for teens to start
using a substance because it’s readily available and they see all their friends
enjoying it. In their minds, they see drug use as a part of the normal teenage
experience.
Popular Media — 47% percent of teens agreed that
movies and TV shows make drugs seem like an OK thing to do, according to a 2011
study. Not surprisingly, 12- to 17-year-olds who viewed three or more “R” rated
movies per month were seven times more likely to smoke cigarettes, six times
more likely to use marijuana, and five times more likely to drink alcohol,
compared to those who hadn’t watched “R” rated films (Amy Khan 2005).
Escape and Self-Medication — When teens are unhappy and can’t find
a healthy outlet for their frustration or a trusted confidant, they may turn to
chemicals for solace. Depending on what substance they’re using, they may feel
blissfully oblivious, wonderfully happy, or energized and confident. The often
rough teenage years can take an emotional toll on children, sometimes even
causing depression, so when teens are given a chance to take something to make
them feel better, many can’t resist.
Boredom — Teens who can’t tolerate being alone, have
trouble keeping themselves occupied, or crave excitement are prime candidates for substance
abuse. Not only do alcohol and marijuana give them something to do, but those
substances help fill the internal void they feel. Further, they provide a
common ground for interacting with like-minded teens, a way to instantly bond
with a group of kids.
Rebellion — Different rebellious teens choose different
substances to use based on their personalities. Alcohol is the drug of choice
for the angry teenager because it frees him to behave aggressively. Methamphetamine,
or meth, also encourage aggressive, violent behavior, and can be far more
dangerous and potent than alcohol. Marijuana, on the other hand, often seems to
reduce aggression and is more of an avoidance drug. LSD and hallucinogens are
also escape drugs, often used by young people who feel misunderstood and may
long to escape to a more idealistic, kind world. Smoking cigarettes can be a
form of rebellion to flaunt their independence and make their parents angry.
The reasons for teenage drug-use are as complex as teenagers themselves.
Instant Gratification — Drugs and alcohol work quickly. The
initial effects feel really good. Teenagers turn to drug use because they see
it as a short-term shortcut to happiness.
Lack of Confidence — Many shy teenagers who lack confidence
report that they’ll do things under the influence of alcohol or drugs that they
might not otherwise. This is part of the appeal of drugs and alcohol even for
relatively self-confident teens; you have the courage to dance if you’re a bad
dancer, or sing at the top of your lungs even if you have a terrible voice, or
kiss the girl you’re attracted to. And alcohol and other drugs tend not only to
loosen your inhibitions but to alleviate social anxiety. Not only do you have
something in common with the other people around you, but there’s the mentality
that if you do anything or say anything stupid, everyone will just think you
had too many drinks or smoked too much weed.
Misinformation — Perhaps the most avoidable cause of
substance abuse is inaccurate information about drugs and alcohol. Nearly every
teenager has friends who claim to be experts on various recreational
substances, and they’re happy to assure her that the risks are minimal. Educate
your teenager about drug use, so they get the real facts about the dangers of
drug use.”
IT STARTS AT HOME. It counts at home. We want this government to
work, we say. We want our communities
safe. We want our children safe and out
of trouble—free and happy.
Let’s DO OUR PART. Peace!
