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A parent’s role in preventing drug abuse

Many young people in South Africa are addicted to drugs.


July 4, 2016
AUTHOR
Dr Guru Kistnasamy

The United Nations designated June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking. The event is celebrated worldwide. The purpose of this day is to highlight the negative
impact of drugs and illicit trafficking.
Many young people in South Africa are addicted to drugs. Their lives are cut short because of crime,
illnesses and the rapid deterioration of their health. Break-down in families results. No parent can
continue to provide shelter for children who steal from them to feed their habit. ‘Sugars’ and
‘whoonga’ are a concoction of various substances including rat poison. The ingestion guarantees a
slow and lonely death eventually.
The following are some of the ways parents can play a role in preventing drug abuse:

 Be the role model that you would like your children to emulate.
 Let the bonding with them be consistent from an early age. Your closeness will enable them to
confide in you, to ask questions, to talk about peer pressure, and to share their fears and
anxieties.
 Prioritise education as the gateway to a better life. Motivate them to achieve the best at all times.
Guide them in their subject choice at school and in their career options.
 Encourage hobbies, interests and sports. This will help in the development of a healthy mind and
a healthy body. Remember that an idle mind can become the devil’s workshop.
 Communication is a key to resolving and preventing misunderstanding and conflict. Shouting,
swearing and hitting children makes them withdraw from you, rebellious, and driven to drug
abuse. Your child must not fear you. Open, relaxed communication with the ability to listen,
facilitates understanding.
 Practise responsibility and sharing of tasks at home. Allow for every member to carry out chores.
Listen to their opinions. Discuss matters in a democratic way so that the child feels that his voice
matters as well.
 Talk about your child’s feelings. Establish the source of their emotions and the reason for it.
Differentiate between real emotions and false or attention seeking ones, and advise them
accordingly. A child should not suppress his anger, sadness, disappointment or resentment. This
can lead to inappropriate outbursts and inappropriate behaviour.

Always be involved in a positive way in the life of your child, even as they become adults. A parent’s
guidance, understanding and love can shape the child’s future destiny.

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