Containing the drug monster

The youth should be empowered with knowledge so that they have the right tools to make educated choices about substance use. Addiction doesn’t ask for an ID card before it sets in. When it comes to drugs, age doesn’t matter. Inspite of this danger, several youth have fallen victim to drug abuse.Drugs are categorised by class. These include; antidepressants, depressants, hallucinogens, inhalants, narcotics, steroids, and stimulants. Unfortunately, in our society, many youth have fallen prey to marijuana addiction. They have smoking their lungs to uselessness and brains to nothingness. They lack the common sense to choose otherwise; as a result, they have thrown their future to the dogs. Researchers report that the rising incidence of marijuana use is primarily due to the increasing rate of new users between the ages of 12 and 17 years.What is so unfortunate is that these youths do not know that the use of illicit drugs places them at greater risk for engaging in unsafe sexual activity and violence. Not all is gloom for Rwanda’s youth; there are several who have taken charge of their future and made the right decisions. They avoid the wrong peer groups, relationships and depend on the counsel of their parents, elders and those in authority.Fact be told, researchers have also established that adolescents who place a personal importance on religion and prayer are less likely to be involved in substance abuse. This holds true for those who carry high levels of self-esteem and the high academic achievers.Additionally, adolescents who hear about the risks of drug use from their parents are significantly less likely to use drugs. Therefore, this calls for increased parental involvement as positive role models and beacons of hope in the lives of their children.