January 29th 2011
A blessed weekend to all our YO! readers. Man it felt great to out the first YO! Magazine and it felt equally satisfying getting the feedback from our readers. Don’t worry ya’ll letters and comments will be posted in our next issue. So you can continue sending your letters to us! This weekend I want to focus on a serious problem we are facing with our young men especially. I am not referring to the high level of gun play but something equally damaging to our youth. Drug Abuse.
Now there are many reasons teens start using drugs but two of the most popular reasons are peer pressure and resentment. Many teens experiment with drugs to be like their friends or because they’re experiencing rebellious feelings. For most, it’s a casual one or two time episode and they move on to more productive activities. But for others, the temptation lingers and it becomes more difficult for them to break away from the burgeoning habit. They may get in over their heads and be too embarrassed to ask for help.
Now most teenagers experience a change in behaviour patterns as they go through adolescence. These include mild symptoms of withdrawal from family activities, expressing the need for privacy and wanting to spend all their time with friends is normal teenage conduct. That doesn’t mean that all communication must stop. Yes, respecting the teenager’s individuality and privacy is a must but teens we must understand that our parents have right to butt in ever so often.
Very often if a teenager begins using drugs, he or she will show an immediate change in their attitude, ability to concentrate and level of energy. Severe mood swings, irritability and particularly uncontrolled anger may be the first warning signs. If they stop attending school, their grades drop or if they join a new group of friends who you have never seen once, then that is a sign that drugs may be involved.
The physical signs of teenage drug abuse include red or swollen eyes, excessive fatigue, depression or uncontrolled jittering and hyperactivity. Other evidence may be rolling papers, plastic baggies or prescription drug containers that do not belong to them. Cigarette smoking and alcohol use may accompany a teenager who is starting to abuse drugs.
The best way to help a teenager with potential drug abuse is to correct the problem as soon as possible. It is not always easy to approach a teenage family member if they seem distant or belligerent but ignoring the problem is the worst solution. If the teenager feels comfortable talking with an older cousin, a favourite aunt or uncle or a special teacher it may serve as a mediator. Threats and angry words or actions seldom or never solve the problem. If the teenager is willing to recognize the consequences of their behaviour, they may be open to a counselling or drug help program.
Never turn a blind eye to it. Sometimes you maybe more embarrassed because of your family’s name or because of a certain standard you have to maintain in society. But it is because of these standards we are afraid to lose that we are losing more young men to gangs and gang related activity.
Have a great weekend readers and God bless.
Scady. P

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