Early in the morning, the entire neighbourhood was shaken by the loud thuds of someone banging a door. Nobody paid much attention; however, with a deep sigh, they went about their work. This had become the norm since the boy in ‘that’ house was diagnosed as a drug addict.
Drug or substance abuse is fast emerging as a problem of epic proportions. Children are most susceptible to drugs. Their inherent curiosity coupled with a lack of maturity is a recipe for erroneous judgements. As a result, the count of drug addicts just goes on mounting.
The scope of kids’ lives these days is huge. Gone are the days when home-school-playground-home used to be the routine. Plenty of diversions, an active social circle, continuous communication, abundant exposure and questionable role models are some of the many dynamics influencing teenagers today. As a result, it has become all the more important for parents to be vigilant.
The process of discussion regarding drugs should however involve a lot of tact. A strict instruction to avoid substances without a space for dialogue would invariably fuel their curiosity. On the other hand, a lax attitude may lead to the too-little-too-late syndrome, a situation in which no parent wants to be.
What is the solution then? It involves continuous communication. As a child gets older, parents tend to start observing less, with the notion that now they have grown up. Observation needs to be continued, of a different style however. Parents should be aware of the company and whereabouts of their children during their adolescence. They should also be acutely aware of what is happening in their children’s school, among friends and most importantly, in their mind. A common rhetoric of all drug addicts has been “nobody seemed to understand me”, which stems from a lack of ability to communicate well, a common trait of adolescence.
Kids during this age are most volatile as they cannot open up fully to others. On the other hand, they are not yet mature enough to tackle every situation calmly. Furthermore, disputes within the family or sudden mishaps also tend to ignite a pattern of self-destruction, a manifestation of which is drug addiction.
Sudden rebellious behaviour, loss of confidence, averting social contact, health problems, extreme mood swings are some vital signs of substance abuse. But, they may also be caused due to other problems. Responsibility of parents is to investigate the causes behind such symptoms without being too explicit or adopting any methods which can cause the child social embarrassment. Children at the cusp of drug addiction are vulnerable and hostile, and any extreme step by parents can have dire consequences.
This does not mean, however, that parents need to cower down in front of the dangling sword of extreme reactions. They need to be bold, tactful and have an overall understanding of the scenario. Early prevention mechanisms including sensitive yet light discussion on drugs, a mellow vigilance and a healthy atmosphere at home can go a long way in keeping the menace of drugs at bay.
Children are the flag bearers of tomorrow’s future. A drug problem can destruct their present by affecting their academic and personal growth as well as taint their past when they grow up. Keeping the doors of communication open is imperative to let children speak their mind, allow parents to guide them and share their most intimate fears with them. Spending time with kids is becoming a niggling concern as parents move to a nuclear family setting.
Relegated to uncertain or irregular guardians who may or may not know how to help kids identify the right from wrong means there’s always a chance that the child falls to illicit acts of rebellion. Irrespective of whether parents are professionally driven or not, they must understand that just providing their children merely covers a part of their role as parents. They need to mentor children towards accepting their weaknesses and work on their strengths to develop self-confidence. When children voluntarily approach their parents to confide or clarify their queries or doubts, it shows that they have faith and respect in their elders’ views. At the same time, a non-judgemental and caring stand by parents helps create an open and healthy relationship between the parent and child. This can do wonders for addressing any early symptoms of experimentation with drugs or nipping substance abuse in the bud.
(The writer is Founder ePsyclinic.com)
