OpinionsEye OpenerWhy illegal drugs thrive

Why illegal drugs thrive

-

- Advertisment -spot_img

The latest news I’ve read from a local paper, it reported that a newly identified high value target drug personality was arrested here in Dumaguete during a buy bust operation in Barangay Poblacion 8. The suspect was identified as Elven Balbon, alias “Momoy.” Recovered from the 43-year-old Balbon was an estimated 52 grams of suspected shabu with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of P353,600.

According to investigation, the suspect is capable of disposing 250 grams to 300 grams of illegal drugs every week, and that his operations can reach as far as Tanjay and Bais City.

I don’t intend to talk about illegal drugs in this article. What I’d like to talk about is why until now illegal drugs dealers seem to prosper and why there seems to be no end to this problem.

Is the government failing in its fight against drugs? Have the drug dealers become so creative that it’s so difficult to catch them? Why can’t we stop people, especially young people, from using illegal drugs and its cheap substitutes?

I guess it’s because we haven’t really gotten to the bottom of the problem.

Using cocaine and shabu is not just about access or about having money to buy these substances. It isn’t just because the drug lords have become so powerful that we can’t seem to put a stop to their operations. It is because there are still neglectful parents and parents who cannot seem to realize the fact that money is not really what their teenager sons and daughters need.

Cars, big houses, fancy parties, and all that money can buy are not what children really crave for. They sure want to acquire material things such as new cellphones, a flashy motorcycle, a huge allowance — but all these are just bonuses to their existence. What they really need is love and a lot of attention. When these two things are lacking in young people’s lives, it is rare that these kids will follow a righteous path.

But why do young people take drugs? There are many different reasons why a young person takes drugs, these include:

Wanting to ‘fit in”
– Young people may do drugs because they want to be accepted by friends or peers who are doing drugs.

Wanting to feel good – drug use can produce feelings of pleasure.

Wanting to feel better – Some young people suffer from depression, anxiety, stress-related disorders, and physical pain. They use drugs to try to get some relief.

Wanting to become better in academics or sports – young people take stimulants to improve their academic standing and athletic performance.

Wanting to experiment – Young people often want to try new experiences, especially ones that they think are thrilling or daring.

As parents, we should take steps to help our children resist the pressure of using drugs, or assist them if they have already using drugs or have progressed further along the path to addiction. Today, when use of illegal substances is increasing, when the risks to the adolescent brain are becoming increasingly apparent, every parent should—

Learn the major risk factors for drug use among children.

Learn about drug use consequences and make clear statements that we disapprove drug use.

Be involved in our children’s life.

Know our child’s friends.

Minimize a child’s stress at home.

Learn the signs of a child’s drug use and how to respond.

There is no hard and fast rule on how we as parents can help avoid our children from getting into drugs but I have a few suggestions that might help:

Practice open communication daily. Research shows that a positive influence by parents can help prevent drug abuse in children and teens. By creating an atmosphere that allows open communication, without judgment, your children will be more receptive to your opinions and insights. Take time to talk with your children every day. Don’t get discouraged if they aren’t very open at first — over time they will open up. Taking time to talk to them every day will lead to a stronger parent/child relationship, and, as a result, your children are more likely to alert you to problems before they get out-of-hand.

Get involved in your children’s lives. Get to know their friends, attend their events, keep up-to-date with how they’re doing in school, help them with their homework, go to a movie or go shopping together. Take advantage of every opportunity to spend time together. While it’s important for your children to find their independence and spend time away from home, this doesn’t mean that a relationship with you is no longer important. In fact, it is still the most important relationship in their lives.

Be nonjudgmental. If your child shares something, appreciate this honestly and share your guidance and concern with an open and understanding approach. As difficult as this may be, if you handle these situations wrongly, you could risk losing your child’s trust and deter him/her from consulting you again.

For many parents today who have very busy schedules, the suggestions I wrote above are very hard to do but if you really love your children and you want them to follow a righteous path, show them love and attention instead of showering them with gifts and gadgets. Only through love can we defeat the ubiquitous tentacles of illegal drugs clutching our children lives and destroying their potential for a good future forever.

________________________________

Author’s email: [email protected]

Latest news

City budget is dead  — Dgte Council

    Perdices resigns as Finance Committee chair “The Motion raised by Councilor Baldado for the approval of the 2025 annual...

Comelec to put LGUs  in ‘yellow’ alert

    Majority of the cities and municipalities in Negros Oriental are likely to be placed under ‘yellow’ category for the...

Who wins?

    The City Council’s Friday special session was meant to be about one matter: approving the 2025 annual budget of...

Canlaon completes P12M infra

    despite eruption The local government of Canlaon City turned over this week more than P12 million worth of infrastructure projects...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

Coop budgets P9M for CSR

    The Perpetual Help Community Cooperative, Inc. has lined up projects this year for its community development program in Negros...

PNP augments force for May polls

    The first batch of augmentation force from the Philippine National Police that will assist in disaster response, and perform...

Must read

City budget is dead  — Dgte Council

    Perdices resigns as Finance Committee chair “The Motion raised by...

Comelec to put LGUs  in ‘yellow’ alert

    Majority of the cities and municipalities in Negros Oriental...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you