|
|
|
Substance abuse is a problem in our society today. Many young people abuse alcohol, cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs, and other substances. People abuse substances for a variety of reasons; for example, to forget and escape from problems such as unemployment. Such abuse is especially common in situations where there is little chance of improving one’s life.
You are probably aware that helping young people avoid substance abuse is vitally important to ensure they do not get addicted to drugs, alcohol, or other substances in the future. You may have encountered young people that have already abused or are currently abusing substances. This unit will help you work with them by giving you some ideas about preventing further abuse and helping them overcome current habits.
This unit is divided into sections/subunits as follows:
- Change in Behaviour
- Effects of Substance Abuse on Physical & Emotional Health of Young People
- The Effects of Substance Abuse on our Community and Society
- How to tell if young people are abusing substances
- Guiding young people’s attitudes towards substance abuse
- Be a Good Role Model
- Talking with Young People about Substance Abuse
- Planning to Prevent Substance Abuse
- Planning Activities for Young People
|
 |
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
- Describe substance abuse.
- Identify substances that are abused.
- Describe signs and symptoms of substance abuse.
- Explain the consequences of substance abuse.
- Identify strategies that support young people who abuse substances.
- Organise a program for the prevention of substance abuse.
- Identify available referral networks for substance abuse.
We will begin this section by observing a case study:
|
 |
Case Study
Mwayi has been caring for her niece, Chikondi, since Chikondi’s mother died when she was 6 years old. Chikondi is now 13. She was very upset after her mother died, but soon settled into Mwayi’s household where she was pleasant and helpful. She was a very good student and had several good friends in school. At the beginning of the term, Chikondi moved to a different school where she didn’t know the other students. Mwayi noticed that Chikondi was unhappy but she knew it would take time for her to adjust. Instead, Chikondi has started skipping school and her grades have dropped. She has become moody and often lashes out at Mwayi and others in the family. Mwayi wonders what has caused this change.
|
 |
Activity 13: Behaviour Change
As a group discuss what you think might be the causes of Chikondi’s change in behaviour? |
 |
Activity Feedback: (Click here to reveal)
|
Your discussion should include:
There are several possible explanations for Chikondi’s behaviour, and one of these is substance abuse. Use of substances—drugs, alcohol, or inhalants—can produce many of the changes that Mwayi has noted in her niece’s behaviour. To understand what substance abuse means, let us look at the meaning of the words use, misuse, and abuse. “Use” is the application of a substance correctly or for its intended purpose. “Misuse” is the application or utilisation of an item or objects wrongly, or for a purpose for which it is not intended, where such use has a tendency to cause harm. Substance “abuse” can be described as the misuse of substances which have legitimate uses, but which can cause harm when misused. For example, certain drugs are useful as medicine, but may be harmful when taken for non-medical purposes. Adults often have a drink of alcohol on social occasions, but it is harmful and may be addictive when used habitually or excessively. Glue is useful to fasten things together, but very harmful when it is inhaled.
Substance abuse can also refer to the use of illegal substances, including “hard” drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Substances which are commonly abused include:
- Glue
- Petrol
- Paint thinner
- Alcohol (Kachasu, ntonjani, kadansana)
- Marijuana (Chamba, dagga, weed, hashish etc.)
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Valium - Diazepam
The kinds of harm that can result from substance abuse include:
- Family problems-divorce, malnutrition, poor upbringing of children
- Problems in the community - poverty, theft, violence
- Problems in school - absenteeism and poor performance
- Legal problems - arrest for possession and use
- Financial problems - stealing to get money to purchase the abused substance.
- Health problems - chest problems, mental instability, unprotected sex which may lead to unplanned
|
|
|
Activity 14: Group Work
- What is the difference between substance use and substance abuse?
- What substances are commonly abused by young people in your community?
|
| |
Why should we be Concerned about Substance Abuse?
There are two main reasons why we should be concerned about substance abuse. Firstly, substance abuse by young people can alter their lives permanently, destroying their health, productivity, and relationships with others. Secondly, use of substances is widespread among young people and it affects people around the abuser and the society in which they live.
The abuse of substances can cause many physical and emotional problems in the young people. Inhalants such as glue, paint thinner and petrol, when used even once, can cause suffocation, visual hallucinations, and severe mood swings. When used over a period of time, the results can include hepatitis, nausea, nosebleeds, irreversible brain damage, nervous system damage, and death. The long-term effects of alcohol abuse may include stomach ailments, skin problems, liver damage, memory loss, and heart and central nervous system damage.
Over time, chamba use can increase the risk of cancer and diminish sexual capacity. Appendix A, at the end of this unit, includes a more complete list of short and long-term effects of inhalants, marijuana, and alcohol.
The use of these substances is often addictive. This means that people who use the substances develop a greater and greater need for them, and it becomes very difficult for them to break their habit. Unfortunately, young people seem to become dependent on substances more quickly than adults do. They are at risk to develop serious dependency problems if:
- There is a family history of substance abuse. Children may inherit a biological predisposition toward substance dependency. Apart from that, children who grow up in an environment where there is substance abuse have poor role modeling and are more likely to be exposed to violence, abuse, etc.
- They are depressed
- They have low self-esteem
- They feel like they don’t fit in
Recent research on brain development has shown us that the human brain is not completely developed until the late teens or early twenties. Because of this, young people may be less able to see the long-term consequences of their actions and to make decisions accordingly. Young people also lack life experience on which to base their decision-making. Substance abuse eventually causes problems for individuals in their dealings with their family, community, and school. Because of this, young people may be less able to see the long-term consequences of their actions and to make decisions accordingly. Young people also lack life experience on which to base their decision-making.
Substance abuse eventually causes problems for individuals in their dealings with their family, community, and school. They may have difficulties with the law when they resort to illegal actions to get money to feed their addiction. Under the influence of substances, they may have unprotected sex, which may lead to unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and/or babies being born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE).
|
|
|
|
