Social Acceptance Of Drugs Increasing At Alarming Rate- Psychologist Purnima Sahai

According to Counselling Psychologist Purnima Sahai, “The age of children experimenting with drugs is consistently decreasing. Unfortunately, the social acceptance of some of these drugs is also increasing at an alarming rate. Talk to a teenager and he’ll tell you how using these substances is “cool”. 

She shared that, “Certain drugs are not even considered drugs by them. It’s tough to say if any child is safe from drugs these days. By the time they reach out for help, too much damage has already taken place.”

It is evident that a menace of this proportion cannot be dealt with unless we make a concentrated effort right at the beginning. 

This means we need to equip kids with the right information at an early age so that they are not caught unawares when the world of peer pressure and drugs hits them. 

Sahai shares with BW Wellbeingworld the role Parents can play in this situation. What you can do, and what to watch out for.

Here’s what you can do:

• Your child is watching you. Set the example you would want him to follow. Make sure you do not convey that drinking/smoking/ doing drugs is cool. 
• Allow your child to speak his mind or disagree with you. This will enable him to say “NO” when he has to. 
• Talk to your child as early as you find him or her ready for this conversation (8yrs or before). Educate him about drugs and their harmful effects. Check what he knows through his peers and make sure he gets his facts right. 
• You can increase the probability that your child says no to drugs if you educate him in advance and keep room for open communication without the fear of his getting punished. 
• Look out for signs of drug use. The sooner you catch it, the earlier it can be stopped and addressed. 

The Signs you can look out for:

1. Deviating from what is normal for him or acting in strange ways. 
2. Dropping grades, losing interest in school or playing. 
3. Irritability, mood swings, being cranky, or aggressive.
4. Keeping to himself, being too quiet. 
5. Change of friends. Not hanging out with his old friends. 
6. Sleeping too much or too less. 
7. Eyes becoming swollen or red.
8. Money or valuables missing from the house. 
9. Look out for objects like foil, butter paper strips, tobacco, weed, or strange smells. 

Sahai recommends seeking professional help the moment you catch these behaviours. 

But most importantly she advises against pretending that your child can never do these things. 

Drug abuse is a disease. It has nothing to do with personality strength once a person is hooked to it.