“Drug abuse and addiction are major burdens to society; however, staggering as these numbers are, they provide limited perspective of the devastating consequences of this disease”
Numerous incidents have been reported in local and international television and social media about drug users and dealers who are caught in the acts, especially in those squatters area or what they call “drug dens”. Not only those people who live in this populated area are being reported to the authorities but believe it or not powerful persons like government officials also indulge their selves in using prohibited drugs.
Most of the drug users in the Philippines are young people. Illegal drugs that are present include Methamphetamine or the local name is shabu, marijuana, inhalants (rugby), solvent, cocaine, diazepam, ecstasy and nubain. While there are no accurate statistics available, it is estimated by Dangerous Drugs Board as many as 3.7 millions in the Philippines are dealing with drug addiction just a year 2016, 65 percent of it -is young people. So what is the reason why this young people in the Philippines are attracted to use these illegal drugs? Maybe you will agree with this points I’ve listed. I’ll focus my discussion on young people who use prohibited drugs.
First, enjoyment.
Despite all the concerns about illegal drug use and the attendant lifestyle by young people, it is probably still the case that the lives of most young people are centered on school, home and employment and that most drug use is restricted to the use of tobacco and alcohol. They may adopt the behavior, fashion and dialect of a particular subculture including the occasional or experimental use of illegal drugs without necessarily adopting the lifestyle. Even so, the evidence of drug use within youth culture suggests that the experience of substances is often pleasure rather than negative and damaging. People who use drugs may like the feelings of excitement, confidence and connection with others which some drugs can elicit. Drugs may also help relieve feelings of boredom. So possibly the main reason why young people take drugs is that they enjoy them.
Second, environment.
Many young people live in communities which suffer from poverty, with high unemployment, low quality housing and where the surrounding infrastructure of local services is fractured and poorly resourced. In such communities drug supply and use often thrive as an alternative economy often controlled by powerful criminal groups. As well as use that might be associated with the stress and boredom of living in such communities, young people with poor job prospects recognize the financial advantages and the status achievable through the business of small scale supply of drugs.
Third, curiosity.
Most young people are naturally curious and want to experiment with different experiences. For some, drugs are a good conversation point, they are interesting to talk about and fascinate everyone. Teenagers and adults can succumb to peer pressure. The pressure of being around others who are abusing drugs or alcohol can make anyone follow suit and do things that they never thought they would.
Lastly, personal problems.
Some young people will use drugs specifically to ease trauma and pain of bad relationships and then physical and emotional abuse arising from unhappy home lives. Such young people will often come to the attention of the school. If these problems can addressed, then if drugs are involved they can become less of a problem.
So how can we prevent this widespread use of drugs and drug addiction? For me, it is within ourselves, and that is DISCIPLINE. It’s hard for me to know that the lives of my fellow young people are being devastated just because of these prohibited drugs. If I have the opportunity to renew their lives, I would help them by conducting seminars about drug addiction. I will encourage them to join some recreational activities to reverse their attention on drugs. I will promote the importance of Education and FAMILY. Lastly, encourage them to practice the healthier living habits.
