1. EFFECT OF DRUGS ON THE YOUTH

2. PREAMBLE We do not have a drug problem in this school. The aim of this talk is to raise an awareness on the issue of drugs. Most young people are free of drug problems. Nevertheless, it is one of the greatest challenges in society.

3. DEFINITIONS A drug is a substance that effects changes in our physical, emotional and thinking processes. Drug abuse is the inappropriate use of drugs. Drug addiction is dependency on drugs, usually either physically or psychologically.

4. DEFINITIONS Physical dependence is where the body needs the drug in order to function. Ceasing the use of drugs leads to withdrawal symptoms. Psychological dependence is where the user is convinced that he needs the drug in order to feel normal. No withdrawal symptoms.

5. EXAMPLES OF DRUGS Nicotine Miraa or Khat Marijuana Cocaine and crack Heroin Club drugs such as ecstasy, liquid X, etc

6. Nicotine

7. Miraa or Khat

8. Cocaine

9. Crack

10. Heroin

11. Ecstasy

12. Liquid X

13. TYPES OF DRUG USE Non-User: no contact. Experimenter: tries it once or twice. Social user: uses on occasion, e.g. cigar for Christmas; miraa while driving long distances, shisha, etc. Abuser / Addict: depends on the drug; it becomes a means of survival.

14. PEDDLER OR PUSHER Sells drugs to others. The dream of every pusher is to get someone hooked. May begin by offering some for free. The best clients are the addicts because they can’t get through a day without drugs.

15. THE ABUSER / ADDICT Nobody starts doing drugs with the goal of becoming an addict. Drug addiction is progressive. Once you make an attempt as an experimenter, you have every probability of ending up as an addict. Typical cliché: “I can stop smoking whenever I want!”

16. Marijuana aka Cannabis, Weed, Bhang, Hashish, Pot, Blunts, Chronic, Ndom, Kikola, Joint,

17. Marijuana Grass, Reefer, Herb, Ganja, Boza, Wadada, Shada, Ngwai, Dawa, Dagga, etc

18. FIVE QUESTIONS How do they take it? When do they start? Where do they get it? Where do they use it? Why do they do it?

19. HOW DO THEY TAKE IT? You can eat or smoke marijuana. Eating it causes a mild effect of feeling high, lasting for a day. Smoking it causes a strong effect, lasting for a few hours.

20. WHEN DO THEY START? As early as Std 6 or Std 7. Experimental stage.

21. WHERE DO THEY GET IT? The bus stops/stages. The malls. Private transport. Neighbours. School mates. Relatives: older siblings; cousins, etc.

22. WHERE DO THEY GET IT? Workers: watchmen, groundsmen, caretakers, etc. Kiosk in the neighbourhood; newspaper vendors, etc.

23. WHERE DO THEY USE IT? At home: locked bedrooms; balcony; bathroom; fields, etc. Neighbour’s house. Sleepovers: in your house and elsewhere. In or around schools. Discos and clubs.

24. WHY DO THEY DO IT? Peer influence The ‘High’ It’s cool Parental example Isolation Loneliness Underachievement Emotional problems such as stress Behavioral problems (another way of rebelling) Too much money

25. PHYSICAL SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE Slurred speech Lack of coordination in body movement Blurred and double vision Blood-shot eyes Watery eyes and drowsiness Loss of appetite Persistent cough Untidiness: dirty clothes, fingernails, etc

26. PSYCHOSOCIAL SIGNS Great drop in academic performance Withdrawal from family members and friends; hardheadedness; rudeness Sudden behavioural changes, e.g. being untidy or very neat all of a sudden

27. PSYCHOSOCIAL SIGNS Blank, dreamy expressions Truancy from school or persistent lateness Great desire for cash; selling items; theft Reasons to be away from home for short bursts; withdrawal to privacy after they are back

28. THE SIDE-EFFECTS Dizziness and sometimes short-term memory loss Interferes with coherence of speech. Anxiety and paranoia (the unfounded fear that someone is “out to get you”) For youth, it may inhibit growth

29. THE SIDE EFFECTS For people prone to mental illness, marijuana’s use increases the chance of suffering a mental breakdown. Psychological dependence: think that it is necessary to function normally or to be happy. Slows down one’s ability to think, to judge, to react, etc.

30. REHABILITATION Do not despair! Talk to your son about it. Take him for a drug test if in denial. Takes a while to disappear from blood stream. Change of environment (Hard choices) Take him for counselling. Tackle root cause of the problem.

31. WHAT TO DO AS PARENTS? Be aware of what is happening in society. Know your neighbours. Talk about it with your children. Help them to use their free time constructively. Keep them very short of money. Teach them how to make decisions. Help them to choose the right friends.

32. WHAT TO DO AS PARENTS? Help them to grow in human virtues, especially prudence (ability to decipher right from wrong), fortitude (the strength of character to make right/tough choices) and temperance (moderation of food, drink and other pleasures). Teach them how to say “No!” Pray for them!

34. EFFECT OF DRUGS ON THE YOUTH