Archive for July 5th, 2010

The truth about drugs

On the International Day Against Drugs this year (26 June) Mark Scotland, the minister with responsibility for health said, “Teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to using illicit drugs. Many times they are subjected to strong peer pressure to experiment with illicit drugs. Moreover, young people tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware of the health risks involved in using drugs.”

To some extent, he is correct. Yes, teenagers and young adults are sometimes steered in the wrong direction to use illicit drugs by their peers and responsible adults should take heed in getting them on the right track. However, it’s not because young people don’t know the health risks and consequences of drug abuse.

Young adults are very knowledgeable about the various risks and effects that come with using or distributing drugs, maybe more than some adults do, that is why they do them. It’s the whole idea of taking a risk that intrigues them.

Of course it is wrong to think that misuse of any kind of drug should be acceptable by any means, but it is also wrong to think that teenagers will not experiment.

Acceptance amongst peers plays a big part on today’s young people. It seems as though if you are not skipping class, doing drugs, having sex or in a gang, you’re an outcast. Nobody wants to be going through adolescence alone. That being said, teens will do almost anything to become popular knowing the risk but having an “I don’t care what it takes, as long as I still have friends and a worthwhile reputation I’ll do it” attitude.

Sure, acceptance and peer pressure are problems, but that stems from a group of people. What about those who lead the crowd? What or who influenced them?

Parents/guardians play a major role in how their children behave and conduct themselves around others. If you grow up and are subjected to seeing violence and drug abuse, who’s to blame them for following in the same direction? Yes, they are being taught to be different and “say no”, but let’s face it, that is easier said than done.

Although some of Cayman’s youth can deal with a dysfunctional household as a character building method by being determined to strive for a better lifestyle, most times that is not the case and teens become disheartened. They begin to think that nothing good can come from their life and the path they are on cannot change. Where is the family support?

Even if my opinion on this topic doesn’t count for anything, I know what it’s like as a young person growing up in these times and it’s not easy avoiding what’s in front of your face. I strongly believe that people should stop preaching and shoving information down teenagers throats and look around at what’s really happening.

Stop and think, “Maybe we shouldn’t focus on the statistical side of the situation at hand. Let’s talk with the young people about it and get their ideas and what they think we could do to help.”

The government should not try to advise the public straight away based on some statistics from a survey which half of the young people probably lied on anyway. Instead, they should listen to what the young people already know and their views and opinions on drug abuse. Then they respond in a way which won’t feed them the same “say no”, “drugs will kill you” and “be above the influence” speeches all the time.

Reaching out to the public by going to schools, homes and even offices will show that the government is interested in what goes on. Conducting surveys obviously isn’t helping to get involved or reaching out.

This generation will lead the next, and if this method of “awareness” isn’t working now, it won’t work in the future. It is time for a change.

AshleighHydes is a 15-year-old student at John Gray High School who spent her work-link placement with CNS.

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