Month of prevention of substance abuse among young people
1 October 2024According to the World Health Organization, psychoactive substances (PAS) are substances that, when taken or introduced into the human body, affect mental processes and cause addiction and/or dependence in case of systematic use. In addition to those substances used in medicine as painkillers or hypnotics and those that are hazardous to health but not prohibited by law (tobacco and alcohol beverages, household chemicals), there are also illegal drugs whose distribution is prohibited by law and whose use is particularly dangerous - narcotic substances (drugs).
One of the most painful problems of our time is drug addiction among young people who know little about the dangers of drugs and are unable to resist pressure from drug dealers and friends. Every day we hear about crimes committed because of drugs, about ruined lives and shortened lives. Drug addiction - is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, when the biochemistry in the active centres (receptors) of the brain changes so that the need for drugs becomes biologically determined and very strong. This manifests itself in an irresistible desire to continue using them, despite the negative social and medical consequences. However, the continuous increase in drug doses increases drug dependence and very often leads to overdose, which disrupts the functioning of the most important internal organs: the brain, liver, heart, lungs and kidneys, and if timely treatment is not provided, the hospitalisation is followed by death.
The introduction of a "cocktail" of several drugs (in one syringe), the simultaneous use of different drugs (opiates, dimedrol, barbiturates, alcohol, etc.) is the most common cause of death in overdose. Drug use also significantly reduces life expectancy as a result of increase in the concomitant incidence of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other socially dangerous diseases. It is estimated that approximately 20 % of children and adolescents worldwide have a mental disorder or problem. About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14. Some young people may use substances for some time and not become addicted, while others develop addiction very quickly, sometimes after the first use.
The more risk factors a person has, the more likely it is that drug use will lead to addiction.
Social factors:
- drugs are easily accessible;
- Cigarette and alcohol advertising insidiously creates a positive image of drugs and encourages young people, and some films and TV programmes romanticise drugs;
- friends use drugs.
Psychological factors:
- Some adolescents do not know how dangerous it is to smoke, drink and use drugs, they do not believe that drug use is as dangerous as experts warn;
- young people develop a positive attitude to drug use, an interest in what it looks like, and a belief that most people use drugs;
- knowing about the dangers of drugs and trusting experts, children believe that they can try drugs and then give them up whenever they want;
- young people use drugs to try to restore psychological balance (to get rid of anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem) and believe that drugs will help solve their problems;
- adolescents are convinced that using drugs makes them look older, believe that it is a good way to have fun and that drug use is fashionable, cool and will improve their image, they do not have developed social skills and do not know how to say "no".
Risk factors include: biologically determined predisposition, difficult social circumstances, and certain genetic factors. The Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine explains the stages of drug addiction development here.
What are the signs of drug use?
External signs:
- excessively constricted or dilated pupils regardless of lighting, an earthy complexion, circles or bags under the eyes, lack or excess of facial expressions, frequent runny nose;
- Speech is fast and slurred, with slang words and positive statements about drug use;
- lapses in memory, inability to think logically, explain one's actions, rapid fatigue, followed by inexplicable energy;
- injection marks on any part of the body, especially on the forearm, a specific smell from clothes and hair, an unsteady unsteady gait.
Behavioural change:
- indifference, loss of interest in former hobbies, studies, absenteeism from school, leaving former friends, making new ones (strange from the point of view of parents);
- sudden changes in mood, a state of unexplained agitation or lethargy, outbursts of unreasonable aggression, hostility and irritability for no reason, increasing isolation, alienation and desire for solitude, the appearance of deceitfulness, untidiness;
- unreasonable disappearances of the child from home for a long time, constant search for money, the emergence of debts, the disappearance of valuables and money from the house, theft;
- the appearance in the house of bottles/packages, etc. with unknown substances, the presence of syringes, needles, rubber tourniquets, pills, drugs among personal belongings;
- sleep disorders (insomnia or extremely long sleep, sleeping during the day, difficulty waking up and falling asleep, heavy sleep);
- appetite disorders (a sharp increase in appetite or its absence, consumption of a significant amount of sweets, the appearance of extreme thirst).
If you notice any of these symptoms in your children, consult a psychologist or a narcologist!
It is possible to determine whether a person is using a substance on their own using rapid tests, but they can give both false positive and false negative results. This depends on the length of time a substance stays in the human body, the frequency of use, etc.
It is difficult to stop using drugs on your own, because the body has already adapted to the drug, needs its constant presence and an increase in the dose to achieve the effect. If you suddenly stop taking drugs, then there is a sharp reaction of the body due to the absence of the drug in the blood, which causes unbearable suffering, mental confusion, which increases every day, and the body literally "breaks down". Only a drug can quickly alleviate the state of drug withdrawal, which again leads to a breakdown.
Measures to prevent use psychoactive substances:
- OF COURSE, THE BEST THING IS NOT TO USE DRUGS!
- Widespread awareness of the consequences of substance use;
- attention to the life and hobbies of the adolescent by parents, well-developed life skills;
- assistance in successful socialisation among peers.
National hotline on drug addiction:
Ø Hotline telephone number: 0 800-507-727.
- The project's Facebook page: facebook.com/osthotline/
- Chatbot: https://t.me/zpt_poruch_bot
https://phc.org.ua/kontrol-zakhvoryuvan/zalezhnist-vid-psikhoaktivnikh-rechovin
https://moz.gov.ua/uk/zamisna-pidtrimuvalna-terapiya-dlya-narkozalezhnih-v-ukrayini-marshrut-paciyenta
Alla TROKAY, municipal hygiene specialist at the VN(s)PES
