Pubdate: Mon, 24 May 2004 Source: New Vision (Uganda) Copyright: 2004 New Vision Contact: http://www.newvision.co.ug/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/522 DRUGS COULD RUIN YOUR LIFE Musa Mukasa was sweating profusely on the day of his final S.4 exam. He could not write. The invigilator got concerned and went closer to find out what was wrong. The student was drunk. This contributed to his poor performance. Peter Kasaijja was expelled from school just before his S.6 final exams because he was caught smoking marijuana and chewing mairungi. Kasaijja was more than a drug abuser, he was also the chief supplier of drugs at school and knew all the drug dealers in Kampala. He was only 18 years old. Are you on drugs or do you know anyone taking them? It is time for you to stop. Kampala is becoming a drug-infested city. Has our society accepted and tolerated indulgence in drug abuse? The drug abuse problem has become a national tragedy that has far-reaching consequences. CAUSES: Films are the source of the stimulus and the drive for the youth to take drugs. Casual use of drugs: Friends may offer you drugs or make them available to you and your curiosity or your peer pressure motivates you to do it. There are many parties or trips to local beaches organised by the students themselves. These teenagers expect to have rules-free celebrations with friends, they may very well engage in risky behaviours. There are related risky behaviours or immoral practices that follow the taking of drugs, that is, rape, defilement, strikes, fights, promiscuity, unprotected sex and impaired driving. This puts the youth in danger of being imprisoned and acquiring STDs or HIV/AIDS. How to fight drug use: Always organise parties with permission from the administration. Involve your parents in your preparations and inform them where you are going to have the party. Get to know the type of people you are going out with. Help your friends to deal with peer pressure in case they are being influenced by wrong elements. The Global Youth Network project is creating a network of participatory youth organisations that work for drug prevention. Activities include: holding meetings and sharing experiences, guide on innovative techniques on drug abuse prevention. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin