Question

Why do some adolescents start taking drugs? How can this be avoided?

Answer 1

Adolescence and drug abuse

Adolescence is the age when there is transition from childhood to adulthood. There are a number of physiological and psychological changes occurring at this stage. There are various reasons for taking drugs as follows:

• Peer pressure: The need to do something amazing and subsequent media propagation of the same.
• Depression and frustration: The undue academic and other stress that youngsters go through apart from other family problems causes the child to escape into substance abuse.
• Experimentation: Inherent curiosity and the need for adventure/ experimentation among the youngsters leads to substance abuse.

Preventive measures

The following points can be taken into consideration to avoid substance abuse:-

• Education: They should be appropriately educated about the various drugs and the effects of misuse.
• Family support: Family members should be counselled so that undue pressure is not put on the child. Open communication among family members is important.
• Counselling/seeking professional help: The youngster needs to be counselled so that they accept the problems that they may face in life.