The role of parents in ensuring a drugs-free childhood is especially crucial at a time when the pace of transition to nucleus families has accelerated.
Drug Abuse | Drug Addiction | Substance Abuse - Overview
The use of Drugs for reasons other than its prescribed recommendation, is known as Drug abuse or substance abuse. Drug abuse or substance abuse is initiated by various biological and social factors.
The use of Drugs for reasons other than its prescribed recommendation, is known as Drug abuse or substance abuse. Drug abuse or substance abuse is initiated by various biological and social factors.
‘Four to 10 years is the formative period when the physical and mental personality of a child develops, and the use of alcoholic drinks or smoking by parents at home, which have become a new normal, will seriously affect the character formation of children.’
“Family settings are central to defining the trajectories of current and future generations, and parenting education remains a missing link in most youth safeguarding strategies,” said Schlaffer, a top global anti-drug campaigner and founder of ‘Women Without Borders.’
Drug Abuse Prevention Starts with Parents
“It is important to keep in mind that drug abuse is not something that affects your neighbor’s children alone. It could happen in one's own family. The tendency on the part of over-indulgent parents who justify minor deviations of their children is common these days. This is dangerous. Parents have to remain alert about what is going on in one's own home,” Schlaffer added.In the prevailing family ecosystem, parents should first give up alcoholic drinks and smoking if they want their children to be insulated from drug abuse, said Diana Vincent, Director, Fourth Wave Foundation (FWF).
“Parents are the role model of children up to 10 years of age, at least. If the words and deeds of the parents are at variance, it would confuse the children, and that could have a life-long impact on them,” said Vincent.
Impact of Drug Abuse on Health and Society
Drug abuse is a negative social trend that pushes youth to drug addiction in the pretext of getting psychological effects like excitation.
Drug abuse is a negative social trend that pushes youth to drug addiction in the pretext of getting psychological effects like excitation.
“The tendency to slip into drug abuse is strong till one turns 24. So, the parents should not approach their children in the same way they treat the grown-ups. In our society, pre-marriage counselling is organized by religious establishments and community outfits. On the same lines, counselling against drug abuse should be planned to root out this danger”, said Shanmugam.
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Quiz on Drug Abuse
Drug abuse often starts with experimentation of a drug and results in problems at home, workplace and in relationships. Take this quiz to test your knowledge on drug abuse.
Drug abuse often starts with experimentation of a drug and results in problems at home, workplace and in relationships. Take this quiz to test your knowledge on drug abuse.
Drug Abuse Screening Test
Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a screening test to find out if you need professional help with ‘Drug Abuse’ problem. This is only an anonymous self test.
Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a screening test to find out if you need professional help with ‘Drug Abuse’ problem. This is only an anonymous self test.
