In many countries the problem of drug-taking is increasing. Governments and the
general public are particularly concerned about young people using illegal drugs
such as marijuana, ectasy and heroin.
What methods could be used to prevent young people from taking drugs? Is it
appropriate to send young drug- users to prison?
Nowadays, drug-taking has become a worldwide problem, especially among the
youth. Many young people are addicted to the repetitive use of different narcotics,
such as cocaine, meth, marijuana, crack, heroin, etc. In 2018, 27.1% of eigth to
twelfth graders in the USA used an illicit drug; in the same year, 29.3% used illicit
drugs and suffered a depressive episode. What can we do to deal with this
problem? “Prevention is better than cure”, states the proverb. Truly, there is a wide
range of different methods to prevent young people from drug-taking. The most
effective are a family influence, educational tools and community actions that
should be applied all together.
To begin with, the prevention of drug-taking can start at home. Parents should
talk to their kids and explain to them the consequences of drug use and drug
addiction. They also should support their children, and assure them that they
should feel free to talk on this topic. According to the National Survey of
American Attitudes on Substance Abuse, in the United States, students who
perceive their parents to be effective (being good listeners, establishing rules,
setting expectations, and keeping on top of their teens’ activities) also report
significantly lower use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.
Secondly, many students spend a major part of their day in school. So, it is crucial
that the school personnel acts as highly influential models for young people and
sets some behavioral patterns that help the youth to cope with peer pressure
(connected with drug-taking). Educating young people on the effects of drugtaking is of high importance as it helps to control possible drug-taking before the
children step into adulthood. In June 2002, the US Supreme Court broadened the
authority of public schools to test students for illicit drugs by allowing random
drug testing for all middle and high school students who participate in competitive
extracurricular activities. As a result, many schools in the US started to perform
drug use tests or consider them for students in competitive sports or other
extracurricular activities (cheerleading, chess club, etc.).
Last but not the least important measure in preventing drug-taking among young
people is community actions. But what exact actions a community can make? Let
us not forget, that in today’s 21st-century mass media are an inevitable part of our
lives. They affect our thoughts and beliefs (even if we do not realize that). Thus,
having such a strong ally, community leaders can make it possible for young
people to obtain necessary information about the effects of drug-taking. For
instance, various movies and documentaries can be shown on TV, that will warn a
young generation about all the consequences they will suffer if they use drugs.
All in all, it is obvious that a certain family behavioral policy, school prevention
programs and the influence of mass media all together comprise a way in which
families, school teachers and community leaders can prevent a drug use by the
young people. And if society does not consider these measures, the future
generation will be forced to deal with a big number of drug-addicted people. That
is why, we should do everything we can to prevent this from happening.
References
1. Statistics : https://www.statista.com/topics/3907/adolescent-drug-use-in-the-us/
2. Court decision : Board of Education v Earls, 536 US 822 (2002)
3. National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse, National Survey of
American Attitudes on Substance Abuse, VI: Teens (February 2001), available
athttp://www.casacolumbia.org/publications1456/publications_show.htm?doc_
id=52809.
4. Proverb: https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/prevention%20is%20better%20than%20cure
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