Any parent would be concerned to hear that children as young as 10 years old are experimenting with drugs. While we have a relatively protected environment and a relatively low crime rate, it does not mean young people are less prone to consume harmful substances that can lead to serious mental disorders, fatal diseases and lasting addictions.
What is perhaps equally concerning is – as experts noted during the Commonly Co-occurring Disorders conference last Friday – that unsuspecting parents are failing to spot the signs of drug abuse in their own children, including negative changes in their behavioural and sleeping patterns, along with declines in their academic performance.
Even more alarming is that professionals have concluded that heroin is quickly becoming the drug of choice in the UAE, surpassing Tramadol and other prescription drugs. Dr Ali Hassan Al Marzooqi of the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) described the current situation as a cause for concern. About 80 per cent of patients being treated for drug use at the NRC have Hepatitis C, which suggests that drug addicts are reluctant because of social pressure to come forward until they develop a serious illness.
Fixing the drug problem is challenging for any society. While police efforts to crack down on dealers are needed, a war on drugs can be a drawn out and ultimately unsuccessful battle. Just look at the massive amount of money and resources the United States has poured into its efforts to stem drug use.
What is needed is more awareness and targeted training campaigns along with strong law enforcement. It is critical that parents are part of the first line of defence and properly understand how to detect the warning signs of substance abuse in their children. As Dr Ahmed Elkashef, the director of research at NRC, said: “All parents have to keep their eyes open”. Educators and school officials also have a critical role in protecting our children from the dangers of drug use. It’s hard to win the war against drugs, but we can work on stopping our children from falling prey to addiction.
