Early Drug Abuse Brings Adult Woes

Posted on October 20, 2008
Filed Under Parenting Tips | Leave a Comment

In this day and age where drugs are so easily available, parents must be well informed about its effects to ensure our children grow up making wise decisions. In a recent study published in Psychological Science, which followed 1,037 children aged from three years to 32 years, children who tried drugs or alcohol before age 15 were two to three times more likely to become dependent on the substances, to contract sexually-transmitted diseases, to drop out of school or to be convicted for a crime.

The respondents, at ages 13 and 15, were asked if they had sniffed glue, gasoline or other inhalants or had used illegal drugs or drunk alcoholic beverages in the past year. They were also assessed for conduct disorders such as fighting, bullying, destroying, telling lies, truancy and stealing before their teen years and their family history, including whether either parent had a criminal record and whether the child was mistreated.

Those who were exposed to drugs and alcohol before age 15 also had significantly more criminal charges while the girls who experimented with the substances were more likely to become pregnant before age 21.

In another finding (www.dramenclinic.com), 52 per cent of adolescents would have consumed alcohol by their 8th grade while 41 per cent have smoked cigarettes and 20 per cent have used marijuana.

As a parent, I am well aware that merely informing our offspring about the findings might not hit home with them. The well meaning words might come across as nagging even. Last week,a dear friend (a consultant kinesiologist who works with children of all ages on their learning blocks and brain integration) sent me a very beautiful DVD by Dr Daniel Amen titled: Which Brain Do You Want?

The DVD features chats with five young people from different backgrounds, with different levels of substance abuse, including two who chose to stay clear of drugs or alcohol. They talk about how their choices have had affected their quality of life.

The highlight of the video is the brain scans of these youngsters. Viewers can see how drugs and alcohol can damage one’s brain and the physical impact of the substance on brain function.

If this video is shown in every classroom of youngsters aged 12 and above, the impact it creates will be tremendous. Millions of dollars are spent each year on campaigns to get our kids off the substance. In my opinion, when these kids are bombarded with lectures and posters throughout, somewhere along the way, their brains have tuned out. Perhaps by showing them evidence of how drugs and alcohol damage their brains, they might be able to make the right choice for life.

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