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How to help one to avoid drugs
Part two
By Boniface O. Mouti
 There are so
many ways and approaches that can be used to help our young people to avoid
drugs depending on the circumstances and the individual person. The following
are some of the ways we can help young people to stay away from drugs.
Facts not fear: experts believe that if children or young people are to resist
peer pressure and the temptations around them, they need to be armed with
information. Parents often try to frighten young people about the punishment
they might receive. When you tell your child not to use drugs, you should give
reasons that appeal to his or her understanding. Empty threats can have severe
consequences. Instill the right values in the child and explain that all actions
have consequences. It is unfortunate that young people today know more about
drugs and their availability than their parents. The children instead have taken
the advantage of their parents to put them down as ignorant and not worthy
listening to. As a parent keep advice in the here and now.
Setting limits: many young people use drugs simply because their friends do or
because they don't want to feel left out. To reinforce the young person's
ability to resist, get to know your child's friends and their parents, and
monitor your child's whereabouts. Too many parents do not care how their
children spend their free time. For instance, at weekends they give them pocket
money and tell them to go out and enjoy themselves. Nobody checks up on them
when they return home. This creates an environment favorable for drugs. Steering
children towards good friends is not always easy. Tell them often of the
importance of choosing good friends.
Keeping busy: research has shown that when young people are unsupervised and
have little to do, they are more likely to experiment with drinking and drugs.
Keep young people involved. Give them chores to do at home and encourage
extracurricular activities. This way they won't have time to do things they
shouldn't. Discuss joining s sports club, drama club, arts and craft centre,
dancing group or about volunteering to work for a church group or community
organization. The busier your child or teenager is, the less likely he or she is
to be bored and tend to seek an outlet in alcohol or hard drugs.
Staying involved: plan alcohol and drug free activities with other families
during school vacations and major holidays, which can otherwise be high – risk
times for teenagers. Encourage your teenagers, once they are well – versed about
he dangers of drug abuse to work on drug prevention programs by being trained as
volunteers to assist as peer counselors. The parents should work with other
parents to ensure that the parties and social events the young people attend are
alcohol and drug free.
Parents need to talk with their teenagers about their future. Discuss their
expectations and ambitions. Collect college or vocational catalogues for them
and discuss different educational and career options. Explain how drugs and
alcohol can destroy their future. If your child is already on drugs he needs
help and should consult a doctor immediately. Parents should encourage their
children to have counselors or advisors. Girls should be encouraged to be
optimistic about their lives after unexpected pregnancies. Children who re
secure in the knowledge that their parents care for them and are interested in
what they do, have a better chance of resisting the temptation of drugs. Parents
should remember that they have a vital role to play as role models in a hostile
environment. Furthermore, the parent-child relationship is mainly their
responsibility, not that of their child.
Email: rehofo@yahoo.com
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