Although Covid-19 is still with us, society is trying to return to normal as best it can. One of the most anticipated pieces of news was the return to school, since children and teenagers had not been in a classroom since last March. School is a vital space for young people’s education and development. However, it can also be a gateway to drug use. Bad influences, peer pressure, or simple curiosity are factors that, through contact with other classmates, can lead to wanting to try these substances. That is why prevention and good information about the dangers of drugs are missions that schools can and should carry out to raise awareness among young people and warn them.
What the figures say
The areas around schools are common places for drug dealing. This was reflected in the Master Plan for Coexistence and Improving School Safety, published by the Ministry of the Interior. Published in 2018, this report revealed worrying data. A total of 104 drug-selling points were dismantled near schools that year in Spain. In addition, more than 134,000 police surveillance operations were carried out in areas around schools throughout Spain. Many of these checks were carried out during periods of increased risk of a rise in the retail supply and demand for drugs.
Why do teenagers start using?
Several factors can contribute to drug use and abuse among teenagers. First-time use often occurs in social settings where substances are easily accessible, such as alcohol and cigarettes. Continued use may be due to insecurities or a desire for social acceptance. Teenagers may feel indestructible and not consider the consequences of their actions, which leads them to take dangerous risks with drugs.
Among the most common reasons why a young person starts taking drugs are:
- Trying new experiences that may be pleasurable, exciting, or dangerous
- Dissatisfaction with their life and lack of a life plan
- Group pressure to belong or be accepted by other members
- Low self-esteem
- An unfavourable environment and dysfunctional families
- Satisfying curiosity about the effects of certain substances
- Expressing independence and sometimes hostility
- Emotional, intellectual, and social maladjustments
- Lack of information about the dangers of drug misuse
- Escaping pain, tension, or frustration
How to talk about drug use with teenagers
When talking to a teenager about drug use, it is important to choose the right moment. Look for times when it is unlikely you will be interrupted. It is also important to know when it is not the right time to have a conversation. For example, if a parent is angry with their child or is not prepared to answer questions. And obviously, you should never do it when the teenager is drunk or high. Some recommendations when talking to a child about the subject are:
- Ask them what their point of view is. In this regard, avoid lectures and listen to the young person’s opinions and questions. Let them know they can be honest.
- Discuss the reasons why they should not use drugs. Emphasise that drugs can affect things that are important to the teenager, such as sports, health, or appearance.
- Talk about ways to resist peer pressure and refuse offers of drugs
Preventing drug use starts at school
As we said in the introduction, school is a fundamental place for the education of younger people. Learning is not limited only to the subjects taught. Schools also have to teach values. That is why it is the teachers’ job to pass on appropriate behavioural guidelines to students to ensure that, in the future, they make the right decisions regarding drug use. In this way, people are formed with critical thinking who are able to decide for themselves. With the necessary information, they will be able to make the best decisions in each situation in their lives, away from group pressure and the opinions of others.
When thinking about what educational actions to carry out to prevent the use of drugs, the first step is to listen to children and teenagers. In addition, it must be taken into account that each educational stage varies depending on the type of education and the method to be used. Therefore, prevention will require different teaching actions at each stage:
- Early childhood education: in this first stage, self-esteem and self-knowledge and knowledge of others must be worked on, as well as the development of social skills such as empathy and emotional intelligence.
- Primary education: once children are 6 or 7 years old, communicative competence, the ability to say no, and social interaction skills must be worked on.
- Secondary education: during adolescence, the areas to work on are the ability to search for information and managing social pressures and stereotypes. Problem management, tolerance of frustration, and positive handling of conflicts are other essential elements.
Strengthening prevention
Preventing drug use is not only about taking specific actions focused on that objective. In addition to that, there also has to be another series of more general actions to educate students, such as:
- Tolerance of failure
- Positive reinforcement of achievements
- Avoiding comparisons between students
- Promoting a positive climate in the classroom and the school
- Setting realistic goals
- Valuing academic and personal abilities
- Approaching problems optimistically
- Working on positive conflict resolution
At CCAdicciones, we have the best professionals to help you if you are addicted to any drug or have any other addiction. Get in touch with us if you think you need help to regain control of your life.
