By Sadia Sultana Rimi:
In today’s world, youth, once a symbol of hope for life, are slowly becoming a dark place due to the influence of drug addiction. Almost every day, it is reported in the news that youth are falling prey to drug addiction for various reasons and their mental and physical health is deteriorating. Social pressure, family weakness, flaws in the education system, economic uncertainty, and wrong role models – all these factors together are sowing the seeds of drug addiction.
Drug addiction refers to the condition where a person repeatedly and frequently takes drugs, which greatly affects his physical, mental and social life. Drug addiction not only affects the body but also negatively affects the person’s outlook, behavior and social relationships. The youth are the population who, although full of endless possibilities and excitement of life, have to face challenges in various aspects. In the era of progressive life and modern technology, drug addiction has started to take shape as an attractive alternative among them, which is full of mental stress, loneliness and uncertainty about the future.
The high expectations and aspirations that have been created in today’s society put the youth under constant pressure. Many people fall into despair amidst the irregular ideals and competition created by families, educational institutions, and even social media. When someone goes the wrong way to find a solution to this frustration and mental distress, drugs come to the fore as an easy and quick way. By taking drugs, they experience temporary relief and happiness, which begins to make them feel worthless.
Family is the first center of education and socialization of everyone. However, in modern life, it has become difficult to maintain good relations between families. Family neglect, absence of parents, or not giving enough attention to the child for any other reason, these can be identified as one of the reasons for drug addiction. In the absence of proper guidance and support from the family, the youth goes on the wrong path and accepts drugs as a protective companion.
Financial stress, worries about studies, employment and the future leave a deep mark on the psyche of the youth. When someone faces regular mental stress, feelings of self-criticism and depression gradually increase. Taking advantage of these mental weaknesses, drugs appear as a kind of temptation for them.
In the current era of information technology, social media and the internet have become an integral part of the lives of the youth. Although these platforms are helpful in education, at the same time they create misinformation, unwanted messages and temptation for drug addiction. The ‘style’ and ‘glamour’ of drug addiction are highlighted through various videos, stories and pictures, which attract many young people. The misconceptions and stimulated mentality propagated through social media further deepen the trend of drug addiction.
Drug addiction has adverse effects on various organs of the body. Long-term drug use leads to heart disease, liver disease and various health problems. The experience of physical deterioration in the youth is increasing sharply due to the accumulation of toxins in the body’s system and the decrease in the functionality of various organs. Not taking care of health at one time can lead to serious illnesses in the future.
One of the most devastating effects of drug addiction is mental and behavioral changes. A sudden change in a person’s behavior can be observed as a result of drug use. Deviating from normal thinking, they become victims of unrealistic desires and constant mental stress. Excessive drug use leads to depression, insomnia, loss of confidence and increased anxiety, which negatively affects their social and professional lives. Over time, it even has an adverse effect on the subconscious mind, resulting in a gradual breakdown in personal and social relationships.
Drug addiction increases the tendency of crime among the youth. Economic problems, social isolation and the risk of entering a criminal environment increase. By getting involved in criminal activities, they threaten not only their own lives but also the safety of the entire society. Many times, violent behavior occurs among individuals under the influence of drug use, which also has a negative impact on the environment and people around them.
When drug addiction hits youth, it negatively impacts the reputation and progress of the entire society. When a young person becomes addicted to drugs, it hinders the development of his family, society and even the country. Social bonds weaken, mutual sympathy decreases and the crime rate increases. This results in negative mentality and degradation in the society, which can later turn into a major social problem.
Drug addiction severely reduces the productivity of the youth. Employment rates decrease, performance is lost, and the contribution of the youth as a workforce decreases. The decline in the quality and efficiency of work negatively affects the overall economy of the country and hinders social development. Although it has a multifaceted impact, in addition to the long-term economic damage, its adverse impact on the country’s industrial and commercial sectors is also evident.
The government should formulate strict laws and policies to prevent drug use and supply and implement them effectively. If there are strict punishments against drug trafficking, the incentive for criminals to commit crimes will decrease. Experience from various countries has shown that strict laws and control measures can be helpful in significantly reducing the rate of drug use. But to take immediate action, the cooperation and awareness of all stakeholders in society must be ensured.
Family and educational institutions are the first education areas of the youth. Therefore, every family member should give their children a clear idea about the harmful effects of drug addiction and its adverse consequences. It is necessary to make students aware of the effects of drug addiction by organizing regular awareness meetings, seminars and workshops in schools, colleges and universities. Parents can help reduce their mental stress by regularly communicating and discussing with their children. Also, if teachers and educators provide proper advice and support, the youth are encouraged to follow the right path instead of going the wrong way.
To increase awareness in the society, local NGOs, public health organizations, and youth organizations should implement various awareness programs. Awareness can be increased through organized campaigns in the field of drug addiction. Through these programs, the youth can be made aware by explaining the harmful aspects of drug addiction, its physical and mental effects, and how it can harm their lives in the future.
Drug addiction has a serious impact on the physical and mental health of the youth. Therefore, it is very important to take proper measures for the treatment and rehabilitation of stress, depression, insomnia and other mental illnesses. In particular, appropriate treatment and support measures should be taken in counseling centers, mental health clinics and rehabilitation centers. These will help the youth find solutions to the problem at an early stage and strengthen them in the fight against drug addiction in the future.
Awareness and primary education are essential as a long-term preventive measure against drug addiction. Educators, psychosocial workers and experienced counselors can convey accurate and reliable information to the youth, so that they can protect themselves from the temptation of drug addiction. As part of this effort, special workshops, seminars and interactive sessions can be organized in schools and colleges. In this way, the youth will learn to cope with stress and develop the right values in life, besides gaining awareness.
Effective rehabilitation programs for drug addiction have been implemented in various countries around the world. For example, in some countries, community-based rehabilitation centers, where a fully rehabilitative, guideline-based treatment system is implemented for drug-addicted youth, have been very effective. Such centers not only provide treatment, but also maintain contact with their families, provide employment opportunities, and support for social reintegration.
In some cities of Bangladesh, local NGOs and voluntary organizations are making great efforts against drug addiction. In many places, small workshops and health check-up camps are organized to increase awareness among the youth. Such initiatives not only increase awareness among the youth, but also help them re-engage with the society.
In the current era of technology, the dissemination of accurate information and education has become easier. Awareness against drug addiction can be increased through social media, mobile apps and websites. In particular, the youth spend most of their time on digital platforms for their daily activities and entertainment. If the right information and ideals are presented on these platforms, they can easily learn to stay away from the temptation of drug addiction. In addition, it is possible to solve problems at the initial stage through online counseling, helplines and mental health services.
The government needs to adopt a comprehensive policy to bring about a lasting solution to drug addiction. The government should create a strict law enforcement, regulatory and monitoring system to cut the source and chain of drug supply. In addition, it is very important to ensure that the youth can be part of a healthy and conscious society by providing free health care, education and rehabilitation programs.
Reconstruction of the country’s social and cultural core is essential. It is necessary to provide correct moral guidance to the youth and attract them towards the values ??and ideals of the society. Where the role of the family is immense, special initiatives can be taken to establish correct and moral ideals among the students. Awareness programs can be organized for this purpose at the initiative of religious institutions, social organizations and local leaders.
The war on drug addiction is not a stand-alone prevention program. It is necessary to adopt action plans that are tailored to the local situation, learning from international experiences and successful case studies. If we learn from the consistent and effective steps taken by various countries and organizations against drug addiction and apply them to our own situation, long-term development will be possible.
The most important asset of today’s society is the youth. Their destruction due to the influence of drug addiction can endanger not only their personal lives, but also the future of the entire society. Therefore, personal awareness, family sympathy, from educational institutions to government policy-making, every level and every individual must work together.
To build a healthy and conscious society, we have to change ourselves first. Until we identify the real causes of drug addiction and find the right solution, this terrible problem will come to our destruction. We have to direct the indomitable power of the young minds in the right direction and move them towards a better future. In this regard, all the stakeholders of the society—family, educational institutions, health workers, social organizations and the government—are being called upon to work together.
In today’s world, where technology, economy and social structures are at the forefront of change, we should take a comprehensive and integrated plan against drug addiction by utilizing the talent and creativity of the youth. Strict laws or medical treatment alone are not enough; rather, we need to sow the seeds of confidence and hope among the youth through proper guidance, moral education and social empathy.
In conclusion, the war against drug addiction is not just a social or legal initiative; it is our national and human responsibility. It is the duty of all of us to harness the potential within every youth and make them aware, healthy and creative. If we truly empower the youth, then this society, which is on the verge of destruction, will move towards a brighter future.
Sadia Sultana Rimi is a Student, Mathematics Department, Jagannath University, Dhaka.