Role of Youth in Prevention of

Substance Abuse
BY,
Kartik Suryavanshi
Yatin Krishna
Vaibhav Kabra
Akshat Aggarwal

A2305413259
A2305412064
A2305413276
A2305413261

7MAE-4-(Y)

Definition

Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that affect

the brain functioning, causing changes in behavior, mood
and consciousness.

Commonly abused drugs

hashish, marijuana

Cannabinoids:

Depressants:

Dissociative anesthetics:

Hallucinogens:

Opioids:

Stimulants:

barbiturates, BZD
ketamine, phencyclidine

LSD, mescaline, psilocybin

codeine, fentanyl, heroin, morphine, opium

amphetamine, methamphetamine,
cocaine, nicotine

Other compounds:

anabolic steroids

Why do youth take drugs?

To feel good

drugs produce intense feelings of pleasure

euphoria is followed by other effects, which

differ with the type of drug used

stimulants (cocaine): the high is followed by feelings of

power, self-confidence, and
increased energy

opiates (heroin): feelings of relaxation and satisfaction

Why do youth take drugs?

To feel better

social anxiety

stress-related disorders

depression

To do better

improve their athletic or cognitive performance

Curiosity and because others are doing it

strong influence of peer pressure

Early signs of risk in the

youth

lack of mutual attachment and nurturing by

parents or caregivers

ineffective parenting

a chaotic home environment

lack of a significant relationship with a caring

adult

a caregiver who abuses substances, suffers from

mental illness, or engages in criminal behavior

Risk factors outside the youth

inappropriate classroom behavior, such as aggression

and impulsivity

academic failure

poor social coping skills

association with peers with problem behaviors, including

drug abuse

misperceptions of the extent and acceptability of drugabusing behaviors in school, peer, and community
environments

Drug abuse/substance abuse

compulsive, excessive, and self-damaging use of habit

forming drugs or substances, leading to:

addiction or dependence

serious health damage (kidneys, liver, heart)

psychological harm (such as dysfunctional behavior

patterns, hallucinations, memory loss)

death

Drug addiction/drug dependence

compulsive craving for a drug which offers

short-term intense relief/pleasure

rapid induction of emotional state individuals normally are not able to

experience

Development of addiction

1st stage = FIRST CONTACT

mostly in a group as a unique episode

experience of belonging to a particular

group or culture

2nd stage = EXPERIMENTATION

a positive experience from the first contact often motivates uncertain and
anxious children to continue

Development of addiction

3rd stage = USAGE, restful phase

trigger point (conflict, trauma)

because of the positive effect the child often regularly

returns

drug becomes part of their social life - perceived as the best

period of his/her life ever

evolves into compulsive patterns of substance-seeking and

substance-taking behavior that take place at the expense of
most other activities

somatic complaints begin to appear, breaking promises,

increasing need for money, occasional absence following
weekend trips, late arrivals home, deterioration of relations
in the family and at school, loss of friends

Development of addiction

3rd stage = USAGE, problematic/advanced usage

develops after a few months rather years of usage

cumulating problems

loss of control over drug use, desire to confide

loss of hobbies, lack of interest in school, work, family

conflicts and theft

serious health problems

young person perceives problems and tries to prove he's got a

control

5 10 days sober establish him falsely in his view

within next years the head currently runs two programs

program of a drug and program of abstinence

Development of addiction

4th stage = ADDICTION

unconditional loss of control over life

drug brings nothing positive

loss of dignity

destruction of the closest relations

delusion and inability to perceive reality

loss of lust for life

difference between problematic usage and addiction?

doses of the drug

ability to admit the addiction

Development of addiction

5th stage = QUITTING

never ending stage

life will never be as friendly as with the drug

experiencing pain

high motivation

great social support

Illegal drugs

experience with:

cannabis .......................... 42%

ecstasy ............................ 8,3%

hallucinogens .................. 5,6%

first experience in younger age

girls prefer to experiment with amphetamines and

sedatives

Consumption of tobacco, alcohol and

drugs in CR

one of the leading positions in Europe

reasons

high tolerance to consumption

physical and financial accessibility even for children and youth

influence of media (celebrities)

commercial interests

role models in the family

lack of control mechanisms and sanctions

Prevention principles

prevention programes should enhance protective factors

and reduce risk factors
prevention programes should address all forms of drug
abuse (legal, illegal drugs, inappropriate use of legally
obtained substances
prevention programes should address the type of drug
abuse problem in the local community
prevention programes should be tailored to address risks
specific to population characteristics like age, gender,
ethnicity

Risk factors x protective factors

Examples of preventive interventions

Early childhood

school preparation programes

school-based drug education

parent education

family therapy

Examples of preventive interventions

Adolescents

school-based drug education

peer intervention, peer eduaction

youth sport and recreation programs

mentorship

employment and training

Examples of preventive interventions

Community based prevention

education campaignes

homelessness strategies

crime prevention

regulation and law enforcement

judicial procedures

harm-reduction strategies (I.e. low threshold centers)

How to say NO

assertiveness

an important communication skill

learn to reject things that are not right for him based on his
conviction,

ability to say no can save the child from the very first contact with the
drug

self-confidence/self-esteem

child should perceive that he is a unique human being

child with an adequate self-esteem would not use drugs to confirm his
confidence in relation to peers