Introduction
In the list of criminal behavior, drug abuse remains a major concern for the stakeholders of the contemporary society. Youth are the major recipients of the drugs and substance abuse. This results from the fact that the rates of unemployment increases are population increase. Vulnerability and susceptibly remains to drugs and substance abuse continue to rise in low income economies. These in turn lead to increase in the deterioration of moral setting within the society leading to increased cumulative impacts of drug and substance abuse such as crimes.
Origin of drug abuse
According to Forcon Consulting, drug and substance abuse is as old as humanity (2004). For this group of professionals in forensic science, human beings have an insatiable desire to consume substances that relaxes the body, stimulates the mind, and introduces a feeling of euphoria within the body system. In the beginning of the Agrarian Revolution, humans discovered the art of fermentation that led to brewing of alcohol. Such brews played a role in alleviating pain, reducing strains, and improving recovery from ailments. Development of home remedies for such pain set center stage for the production of alcohol and other substance. Herb, roots, fungi, and other substances helped relax, stimulate, or improve the body systems. Inhalation, ingestion, and smearing are the major modes of consumption of such substances during the agrarian revolution (Forcon Consulting, 2004).
Similarly, some communities and religious groups consumed substances during rites and cultural activities. Drugs for example, played a role in seeing visions and prophesizing, alcohol helped in pain relieving, and acted as anesthesia in the circumcision ceremonies and help soldiers relax after victory. As development and sophistication in the production industry progressed, humans’ desires to explore the drug and substance world increased the research on drugs. More people extracted psychoactive chemical in plants and animals to make drugs and substances that motivate euphoria and stimulates the minds. This led to the use of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and other substances creating a scenario that remains largely complex and difficult to deal with (Forcon Consulting, 2004).
Youth in Informal Settlements and Drugs
Excessive, maladaptive, and addictive use of drugs is rampant among the youth in informal settlements. Addictive characteristics compel such victims to compulsion to drug consumption on a regular basis in order to achieve certain psychological demands of the body. In the youth, drug abuse rise to dependence that necessitates mental, emotional, and biological instability. Such defects, presents a basis for the cumulative ills in the society such crimes, prostitution, and other immoral activities. In the society, youth occupy the most vital and vibrant age group. Youths, according to the UN are the persons aged between sixteen and thirty five years. In most cases, these represent the most productive age group in the society. Confining a greater percentage of this age group into substance abuse has implication in the industrial production of the country in question. In low-income economies, poor governance, high rate of unemployment, and poor education structures increases youth exposure and vulnerability to drugs and substance abuse. These coupled with the rising number of informal settlements and slums with less government control and poor policing strategies create an ample environment not only for sale and distribution but also for consumption and excessive use of drugs. Cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, marijuana, and hydrocarbons such as glue, gasoline, and thinners are some of the most common drugs in the slums (Einstein, 2013).
Prevention of Drug Abuse among the Youths
Strengthening families
Introducing family training programs that increase resilience and reduce risks patterns in behaviors, emotions, and school works can help reduce the level of exposure to drugs and substance abuse among the youths. In these programs, families with parents addicted to drugs get education on the best methods of training the kids and children on the effects of substance abuse (Einstein, 2013).
School and Community Initiatives against drugs
It is evident that most of youths get involved in drugs while at schools and social meeting sites. For this reason, there is a need for a coordinated school and community engagement against drug and substance abuse. This will reduce the risks such as desires to explore and abuse drugs. In such initiatives, there is need for introduction of substitute activities such as games that gives youth less idle time (Einstein, 2013).
Effectiveness of the Proposed Intervention
Drugs and substance abuse among the youth is a complicated vice in the society. Understanding the root causes of the activity presents an avenue for successful eradication. Understanding the societal setting and family back round of the victims will help correction initiatives wholesome and effective. Such coupled with professional helps and efforts with alternative sources of incomes, creation of jobs, and improved community policing can help regulate the level of drug abuse among the youths in informal settlements.
Community and school programs will be effective in the prevention of the aforementioned problem because they directly deal with both the victims and he peddlers. The intervention approach creates an environment where the community stakeholders at school and community levels can work with educators and policy regulators in setting drug control policies and cultivation of a desired behavior.
References
Einstein, S. (2013). Beyond Drugs. Drugs and Youth: The Challenge of Today, 2(12), 239-256.
Forcon Consulting. (2004). History of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Retrieved on 5th October 2015 from http://www.forcon.ca/learning/drug_abuse.html
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