Addiction to drugs, alcohol and tobacco are the most common mental health problems in teenagers. Although parents, schools, and the government are trying to get children and teenagers to “just say no” to drugs, billions of rupees worth of cigarette and alcohol spent in advertising is effectively working to get them to “just say yes” to smoking, drinking, and other drugs. In addition, television programs and movies contain appreciable amounts of substance use. The so-called war on drugs has been waged for decades, yet teenagers continue to use and abuse a variety of substances, especially tobacco and alcohol.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs addiction: A threat to humanity
Addiction is a hugely complex and destructive disease, and its impact can be simply devastating. All too often, lives and families can be shattered by it.
~ Kate Middleton
In every human life, there is an addiction in one way or the other. People become addicted to something whether in the right or wrong path. This addiction may spoil or may lead to a good life for that particular individual but it also depends on what they are addicted to. Addiction is like a disease that affects the brain and behavior. When alcohol, tobacco and drugs become an addiction, one cannot resist using them no matter how much harm the product may cause. Alcohol is a substance which is made for the health and drugs is also used for the medical treatment for various purposes for the health care, but overdosing on more than the requirement becomes an addiction. The other prevalent is tobacco which causes harm to every human that can be reflected as the evil which does not have any benefit but only to harm the human body. There are some other drugs like AMPHETMAINES, CANNABIS, ECSTASY, HEROIN, COCAINE, and so on.
Alcohol, tobacco and drugs have been used all over the world. It has indirectly contributed to the economic development of the country, however with the cost of human life. In this modern world famous and influential people like musicians, wrestlers, athletes and others are those who consume the most to improve their skills and overcome the challenges. On the contrary, teenagers and common people who look up to them start imitating them by consuming or using such substances.
Teenage is the stage for experimentation, regardless, of parenting control and influence. Prof. G Stanley Hall rightly quoted that ‘adolescence or teenage is a period of stress and storm’. In this stage, their mood swings and the curiosity to experiment increases at the optimum level, as a result they fall prey to this harmful substance. Many reasons have been cited to use banned substances. Some people use them for socializing with friends, peer pressure or the need of recognition in the group. It has also been used for relaxation or fun. Some of them use it out of curiosity, experimentation or wanting to take risks. Moreover, banned substances have also been considered by their consumers as a ‘quick relief’ from psychological suffering. This is how ignorant teenagers have been destroying their life. While alcohol, tobacco and drugs have become the major problems in the society, many of the teenagers are addicted to these substances and find it difficult to overcome their addiction. It also increases the rate of unemployment, crimes, thefts and many more problems in the society, and as a matter of fact, most of the younger generation who are considered as the future of the country have fallen victim to it. In this generation the youths are being influenced by alcohol, tobacco and drugs, it seems their entire life has been revolving around them, which indeed is a sad state of affair. While we look into the schools or colleges, 75% of the students have been found to be consuming tobacco. This type of trend among both male and female students is not only dangerous to them but also to the community that they belong to. Growth of family, community and nation depends on the growth of healthy individuals.
Alcohol, tobacco and drug-addicted youths mostly do not have stable relationships with their families and the families suffer throughout. The addiction makes them lag behind in life. Due to these addictions the brain effectively alters the way it reasons which makes people more prone to violence, aggressive and abusive. This abuse may be sexual, verbal, emotional and even physical; directed at any family members or others including a spouse or child. Many of these addiction crazy youth are tempted to continue to use the dangerous substance. Once they take it they are caught in the death trap, and slowly but surely it leads to death.
Alcohol, and drugs harm our precious organs in the body if it has been consumed without any limit. Once addicted then vital organs such as kidney, liver, lungs brain etc. are affected and once damaged than the human life will be like a vegetable, akin to death. When alcohol, tobacco and drugs are used for a long time, the human brain is also affected, such as weak memory, increased stress, change in behavior, loss in the ability to learn, and difficulty in decision making and even judgment. Never let this substance be consumed just as an experiment in life. There are thousands and millions of other ideas that can be experimented, which could be helpful for the betterment of our society. Let everyone say no to alcohol, tobacco and drugs addiction; every human life has a great value. Let us appreciate the ‘GIFT’ of life, Let us be a part of the War against Alcoholism, Tobacco and Drugs. Let us dream for a better world, a better future.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Noyingbeni T. Erui, Meren and Kvulo Lorin.
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