No parent of a teenager will be surprised that, as a group, they seek thrills. The desire to push the limits is strong in teenagers and is a natural part of growing up. And yet, as our special report on the use of illegal drugs by teenagers in yesterday’s paper shows, when such experimentation crosses into drugs, whether legal or illegal, it can severely affect their health, well-being and future.
Those teenagers who are turning to drugs such as Tramadol, a painkiller, and consuming them in novel ways (such as inhaling it, along with tobacco), are putting their lives in danger. They are human guinea pigs. Tramadol is a complex drug and has been designed and tested to be used under specific circumstances. By taking it in unusual forms, teenagers are opening themselves up to unknown, potentially severe effects – the sorts of effects that could stay with them for a very long time.
What can be done? A multi-pronged approach is needed. It starts with education. Teenagers must have the dangers explained to them, in schools and universities and at home. This particularly applies to university students from foreign countries, who may be unaware of the law and are far from home and therefore more susceptible to peer pressure.
Another aspect of education is teaching young people that they do not need to seek illicit highs. There are other ways to gain the release of pleasurable hormones – one of which is exercise. Yes, teenagers and parents of teenagers reading this will roll their eyes: try persuading a reluctant teenager to take a run. But this is about redirecting that extra energy and taking teenagers out of social circles that encourage drug use.
It would also help if teenagers could access objective information. The drugs telephone line run by Dubai Police is to report drug activity, not to provide information. But other countries do run anonymous phone lines, where anyone can call and get impartial information. This matters, because teenagers must be told of the risks of overdosing and mixing controlled drugs.
Piece by piece, the problem of drug abuse can be dismantled. Drug laws are already strong. What is needed is more understanding that it takes strong pastoral care in schools and parental care at home to ensure teenagers stay away from drugs.