Statistical data worldwide are increasingly dramatic. The age of onset of drug use is getting lower. Consequently, the starting age for the consumption of inhalants, marijuana and basic cocaine paste is currently between 9 and 10 years. The age of children who deal drugs is also lower than in the past. Let’s look at some statistical data from the Takiwasi Rehabilitation Center – Tarapoto. 54% started consuming basic cocaine paste (p.b.c.) when they were between 14 and 16 years old and 50% started consuming alcohol at the same ages. Although it is true that the majority of addicts begin when they are young, statistics indicate that they only seek treatment at an adult age (between 26 and 30 years in PBC and 31 to 35 years in alcoholics). The youngest are the ones with the best prognosis in rehabilitation, since they are just beginning to consume and have not fully entered the complex world of the addict, which leads to the deterioration and loss of values, good habits, respect for norms and what is socially established, as well as the deterioration and loss of some functions and physical and psychological capacities. Hence the importance of being able to quickly detect cases that are just starting to use in order to act immediately with treatment. After parents, teachers are the ones who spend more time with children and young people. A school willing to help can be a great defense. The school can be a positive or negative influence on the behavior of students in relation to drug use: “gangs” arise from schools led by students with clear signs of irregular social behavior characterized by aggressiveness, delinquency, lying and abuse of psychoactive substances, mainly alcohol, marijuana and basic cocaine paste.

WHEN DO WE TALK ABOUT DRUG DEPENDENCE ?

It should be noted that every psychoactive substance is not addictive and that every addictive substance is not hallucinogenic; such as sugar, coffee, tobacco, among others. The reactions that drugs provoke in the organism modify the psychological, physical and social behavior of the subject. One of these modifications is that some people show the irrepressible urge to continue taking the substance, on a regular or continuous basis, in order to repeatedly experience its effects. Physical dependence is a state of adaptation and tolerance that manifests itself in intense physical disorders when the administration of the drug is suspended. Dependence is a state other than habit. When one suppresses the use of a habit substance, the organism accommodates and tolerates this lack, there is no significant physical or psychological disorder. Unlike dependence, in which, in the absence of the substance, the body will experience some notable physical and psychological disorders. In dependence, the consumption of the substance is increasing to obtain the same effects. Disorders in the absence of the substance are presented through a series of symptoms and signs of a physical and psychological nature, which vary according to the drug. This is called a withdrawal syndrome, which is usually characterized by upset stomach, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, states of anxiety, nervousness, and irritability. Characteristics of drug dependence include: An invincible desire or need to continue using the drug and to obtain it by any means. A tendency to increase the dose. A psychic (psychological), and sometimes physical, dependence on the effects of the drug. Progressive loss of human, social and ethical values.

ADDICTIVE DRUGS OF MOST FREQUENT USE

Depressant drugs: Alcohol, Tranquilizing and sleep-inducing drugs.

Stimulant drugs: Cocaine, Basic cocaine paste, Tobacco.

Hallucinogenic drugs: Acids, L.S.D.

Inhalants: glues, Fuels.

Euphoric Solvents: Dope.

WHO ARE THE DRUG ADDICTS?

They are people who compulsively consume an addictive substance in increasing amounts, such as: basic cocaine paste or alcohol. At the beginning of the consumption these people ingest small amounts and over time they need to increase their doses. Generally, young people who start using drugs smoke on weekends at their parties. The person becomes dependent on the substance in such a way that his life will revolve around consumption. At the same time, changes will be observed in his family, social life and changes also in the physical and psychological aspect. Drug addiction is a problem that is present in all social classes and cultural.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF DRUG ADDICTION?

The human being is a biological, psychological, social and spiritual entity, the balance of these aspects results in comprehensive health. Diseases originate when one of these aspects is altered. We can review in each of these aspects the possible factors that could predispose a person to become a drug addict. 1. Biological Factors: There are multiple biological theories that indicate that a cause of drug addiction could be that the individual has a genetic predisposition. That is to say that the person is born with a predisposition so that in her life at some point she becomes a drug addict. This predisposition will only be known the day the person uses a drug for the first time. This first consumption would become the beginning of a long chain of consumption. 2. Psychological Factors: Every individual has a personality structure that takes its basic characteristics in childhood through a learning and molding process based on the relationship that will be established with parents mainly, then this process will continue in school. There is a hypothesis that it is based on how the individual relates to the parents and how each parent fulfills his role in front of the children that a dependent personality will be structured or not. The typical family structure that is observed is the presence of an overprotective mother and an absent father. Individuals with a dependent personality structure are more likely to generate an addiction. 3. Social Factors: In this factor we observe that society, the country’s political conditions, among other contingencies that ordinary citizens cannot control, can be causes of drug addiction problems in young people. Among these factors we can point out drug trafficking, the micro-commercialization of drugs, the indiscriminate advertising of alcoholic beverages, consumerism, the loss of the fundamental values ​​of the person, among other factors. However, it should be noted that although it is true that we are all exposed to them, not all people will have problems with drugs. 4. Spiritual Factors: The spiritual is precisely one more loss within the values ​​of Westernized man. Traditional societies despite the modern times in which we live have not lost the connection with the sacred and its religious rites. Anthropological observation has proven that in these societies there are no addiction problems. When we speak of the spiritual, we are not only referring to the religious, but also to respect for nature and the sacred dimension of life. Respect for the sacred is fundamental since after its loss there is no longer a transcendental reference that serves as a guide for the human being. The interaction of these 4 factors, each one to a greater or lesser extent depending on the personal history of the individual, will contribute to drug addiction, which is a multifactorial pathology.

SIGNS THAT CAN HELP US DETECT DRUG USE AMONG OUR STUDENTS:

Possession of some drug (marijuana, p.b.c., etc.) with the excuse that they belong to a friend. Utensils used in the consumption of these substances such as: pipes, paper to make homemade cigarettes, butts in matchboxes, etc. Abandonment of their friends in exchange for new circles of friends. Delays on weekends. Red eyes, dilated pupils and increased appetite, in the case of marijuana. Withdraws from family and is “mysterious” about activities outside the home. Introversion and difficult communication High level of somatic complaints, health problems. Emotional upset: depression, mood swings, confusion. Concentration problems. Sudden weight loss. Poor school performance. Carelessness in your physical appearance. Open attitude to the use of psychoactive substances. He doesn’t see anything wrong with his friends wearing them. Unexcused absences from school or work. Curious, unusual behavior. Agitation. Lethargy. hyperactivity Legal or police problems. Weakness, fainting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, etc. Accident propensity. Sleep disturbance. Significant change in attitude.

HOW TO PREVENT THE ABUSE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT?

There are many situations that influence drug use among young people: lack of family supervision, pressure from friends, breakdown of the family structure, frivolization of consumption by the media. Sometimes young people give many reasons for using drugs: “have a good time and feel good”, “curious about the effects”, etc. Research on drug-related problems has clarified that strategies to prevent consumption and associated problems must be diverse and global. Prevention activities often focus on only one of the factors that contribute to drug use. For example, a drug education program may teach skills to resist social pressure without paying attention to other aspects: the attractive image of alcohol in the media, the profit motive associated with the sale of illicit drugs, evasion of personal problems, the excessive search for pleasure, etc. A narrowly targeted prevention program does not produce lasting results. Drug use and related problems are both social and personal issues, a comprehensive solution must go beyond the individual to focus on the family, community and society.

BASIC TIPS FOR TEACHERS.

  1. Get extensive training on the subject of drug addiction.
  2. Engage in friendly communication with the young person, without being his “leg”.
  3. Avoid opposite tendencies in their relationship: permissiveness-laxity, rigid dictatorship.
  4. The teacher must review his own concepts and attitudes towards the subject.
  5. Detect the population affected by drug abuse.
  6. Establish in each Educational Center, true programs that respond to the existing gaps.
  7. Promote the development of self-esteem. Do not humiliate the student in front of classmates.
  8. Identify and motivate student leaders and promote “youth-to-youth” help with them.
  9. Form support groups with them.
  10. Encourage parental support and collaboration.
  11. Have on hand addresses of professionalized help (Rehabilitation Centers), for cases that require specialized intervention.