Drug abuse not the solution

Marshall Bwanya Cool Lifestyle Writer
There are several reasons why some teenagers smoke cigarettes or abuse drugs and alcohol. One of the reasons is that they think it’s a way of escaping from their problems.
Some young people feel they cannot bear the pain of suffering without the aid of drugs and alcohol.
To them, drugs are a source of comfort that alleviates the pain they go through. Tough situations or conditions require resilience to confront and overcome them.

A wise man once said you never know how strong you are until being strong is your only option. Tragedies or disasters unfold naturally living one in a state of depression.

Tinashe Sithole (19) said he resorted to drinking when he failed his ‘O’ level examinations.
“I was very agitated when I failed my ‘O’ level examinations I felt like I had disappointed my family and friends so I resorted to drinking as a way of easing the pain and escape reality.

“My family conscientised me to realise what I was doing was wrong and under their guidance I wrote my ‘O’ levels again and passed with flying colours,” he said.

Privilege Tshuma (17) from Bulawayo stressed the need of parents and guardians to give emotional support and guidance to young people going through difficult times.
“As young people we are exposed to a lot of positive and negative things. When facing painful experiences we need the help or assistance of our parents to confront our problems,” he said.
Youths need to realise that illusions they create under the influence of drugs are only temporary.
When one relies heavily on drugs it then becomes an addiction.
And when that happens, your life becomes miserable and pathetic without drugs and alcohol.
Drugs have both devastating psychological and physical effects on a person.
Smoking, abusing drugs and alcohol will not alleviate the pain one is going through but will actually worsen the situation.
Silas Mariyapera (18) said youths resort to drugs as way of escaping reality out sheer ignorance.
“One of the biblical scriptures says my people perish because of lack of knowledge. Some young people who perceive drugs a source of comfort fail to take into cognisance the repercussions of abusing them,” he said.
Some engage in sex and end up contracting HIV and Aids, STIs and unwanted pregnancies.
When facing problems you should reach out to your parents, elders or church leaders for assistance.
A good thing is to confront your problem and overcome it no matter how difficult it is.