Early use of drugs raises an individual’s chances of more life-threatening drug abuse and subsequently drug addiction. Given the fact that drugs affect the brain, and this can result in addiction and other critical problems. Thus, averting early use of drugs can reduce the risk of advancing to later addiction.
Risk of drug abuse increases considerably during times of transition, such as changing the level of study, marriage, or divorce. In early adolescence, when children advance from middle through high school, they face different and thought-provoking social and academic situations. Regularly during this stage, children are exposed to addictive substances, more availability of drugs, and teenage group activities where drugs are used.
At the same time, many behaviors that are a usual characteristic of their development, such as the yearning to do new or risky things, can increase youth tendencies to test drugs. Some children may be influenced by peer pressure to use drugs. Others might think that using drugs will improve their physical performance, or relieve their anxiety in social situations.
Child’s ongoing judgment development and decision-making skills might limit their ability to evaluate risks correctly and make accurate decisions about using drugs. Drug abuse can interrupt brain function in areas critical to inspiration, memory, education, decision-making, and behavior control. Therefore, it is not extraordinary that teen who abuse drugs often have family and school difficulties, poor academic performance, and health-related problems.
The prevention of drug abuse begins with education. The younger child is made aware of the threats of drugs, the more empowered they become as they get older to make better decisions that will prevent them from trying drugs. By a constant process of education for youngsters to make correct choices by nurturing their self-confidence, learning to create healthy boundaries and developing successful emotional coping skills, the risks of using drugs becomes significantly reduced.
Hence, a continuing education about harsh realities of drug abuse has to be offered on a continuing basis, both at school and home. Such education is crucial for helping kids to develop a good self-esteem and emotional coping skills, providing them possibilities to express themselves through sports and social activities, inspiring them to set well-founded boundaries so as not to be influenced by harmful peer pressure. As a result it will help to alleviate the growing problem of addiction in children at school level.
The truth is that many addictions are formed in adult years, yet they tend to be a manifestation of fundamental issues developed as children. Therefore, the younger you begin and set the accurate foundations in place, the less likely addiction will grow in adulthood.
Written by: traveler Keyhan