Question

"Prevention is better than cure" is an apt slogan to safeguard adolescents from drug abuse. List any four steps that could be taken in this regard.

Answer 1

The age-old adage of Prevention is better than cure holds true to safeguard adolescents from drug abuse. Some of the measures in this regard are as follows:

1. Avoid undue peer pressure – Every child has his/her own choice and personality, which should be respected and nurtured. A child should not be pushed unduly to perform beyond his/her threshold limits; be it studies, sports, or other activities.

2. Education and counseling – Educating and counseling him/ her to face problems and stresses, and to accept disappointments and failures as a part of life. It would also be worthwhile to channelize the child’s energy into healthy pursuits like sports, reading, music, yoga, and other extracurricular activities.

3. Seeking help from parents and peers – Help from parents and peers should be sought immediately so that they can guide appropriately. Help may even be sought from close and trusted friends. Besides getting proper advice to sort out their problems, this would help young to vent their feelings of anxiety and guilt.

4. Looking for danger signs – Alert parents and teachers need to look for and identify the danger signs discussed above. Even friends, if they find someone using drugs or alcohol, should not hesitate to bring this to the notice of parents or teachers in the best interests of the person concerned.