The document discusses the harmful effects of drug addiction among youth. It notes there are two types of effects - negative mental health effects like mood swings, depression and anxiety, as well as various physical health risks such as heart, liver and kidney damage. It argues that drug abuse prevention programs implemented in schools can help reduce drug addiction among youth by educating them about these consequences early on. The document also shares a personal story about someone who started using drugs at a young age and struggled with addiction for many years.
5. Wild mood swings, depression, anxiety,
paranoia, violence
Decrease in pleasure in everyday life
Complication of mental illness
Hallucinations
Confusion
Psychological tolerance to the drug's effects
creating a desire to do ever-increasing amounts
of the drug
Desire to engage in risky behavior
6. Contraction of HIV, hepatitis and other illnesses
Heart rate irregularities, heart attack
Respiratory problems such as lung cancer,
emphysema and breathing problems
Abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea
Kidney and liver damage
Seizures, stroke, brain damage
Changes in appetite, body temperature and
sleeping patterns
7. Drug addiction among youth can
be prevented if the youth are
taught of its harmful
consequences. If the young
people are aware of the harmful
effects of drug abuse, they would
avoid drug abuse at the first
instance. Hence, drug abuse
preventive programmes, if
implemented effectively at
schools and colleges, can become
the most successful method to
reduce and alleviate the problem
of Drug addiction among youth
8. I started using drugs when I was 14. I started on
cannabis at age 8 and using heroin at 14. I was
going to school and using pills, heroin and other
drugs with other class mates.
I had a good child hood with my mum, she did not
know about my drug use until I was 18 and it
absolutely devastated her.
When I left school I went straight into work and
over the next few years I had many jobs but still
managed to maintain my addiction.
From 18 onwards I was using heroin, crack and
cannabis on a daily basis. Since then I have been
in treatment of one form or another more or less
continuously. I went to get help from the doctor
and I did not feel I got the support I needed to
overcome my problems. I felt that the doctor was
rushing my treatment and I did not feel I was
getting the support I needed.
9. I became chaotic and was shop lifting
to fund my habit then I met a girl who
did not use and I was happy with her for
some time but the relationship broke
down after 2 years. I was emotionally
drained from the break up, I returned to
using every day and I started to sell
drugs to fund my habit. This lasted for
around 8 to 10 years.
In the last 7 to 8 years I have been
trying to change and have had support
from numerous services.