Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jun 2005
Source: New Vision (Uganda)
Copyright: 2005 New Vision
Contact:  http://www.newvision.co.ug/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/522
Author: Carol Natukunda

HELP YOUR TEENAGER DEAL WITH DRUG ABUSE

Kampala

A 2005 United Nations study on drugs and crimes, says that the drug abuse
situation in Uganda has continued to deteriorate with a serious increase in
abuse of illicit drugs such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine, methaqualone, and
recently khat which has surfaced as mostly abused by youth between 15-45
years.

An education handbook on trade unions and child labour in Uganda states a
research done in 11 towns reveals that over 3,000 children are exposed to
drug abuse and sniffing glue mixed with fuel.

Dr Sam Zaramba, the director general of health services in the health
ministry says that on average, students are initiated into addiction at 14
years, with some starting as early as six years.

A comprehensive Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) done in 2003 found that
in the northern Uganda for instance, 33% of high school students use some
form of tobacco while 22% smoke cigarettes.

"When a child becomes irritable, drowsy, and loses interest in hygiene and
school, then it could be clear he or she is abusing drugs," Dr Sarah
Ndyanabangyi, a psychiatrist with Uganda national Parents Network (UNPN)
said. She said this while addressing a parents' seminar in Kampala recently.

Pearson Barasha, the official in charge of the Anti Narcotics Unit, at the
Criminal investigations Department (CID), says drug abuse among children
ranges in the age group of 15-25 years.

"They are usually secondary school children, from both mixed and single sex
schools. Some people post drugs to the school children through mail and
success cards, some drugs have been confiscated in such a way," he reveals.

Barasha says usually arrests of children are at a high rate during holiday,
or in the evening - a time when they are retiring home.

He adds that there are some students who have been arrested wandering about
the city, in places where there are drug dealers. Barasha also says
children, who have grown up in slums where drug abuse is the order of the
day, easily fall into the trap of using drugs.

Dr Ndyanabangyi said many children who are addicts, were involved in illegal
activities like theft or fires in schools.

Barasha also says the students, who engage in violence, do so under the
influence of drugs. "Drug abuse goes hand in hand with other crimes like
fraud, counterfeit currency, terrorism, defilement and rape," he says. "They
are also vulnerable to infection of HIV/AIDS due to wreckless sexual
offences."

Dr Ndyanabangyi says drug abuse varies considerably among school children.
"Some are consumed in soft drinks and snacks, marijuana is sometimes eaten
in cakes or in sodas, while others are through injections or inhaled," she
says.

Barasha says there have been some cases of trafficking especially for
students in higher institutions of learning. "Students, especially females
are becoming culprits. They are used as carriers because dealers believe
women are usually less suspected by security," he says.

According to Martin Omagor, the commissioner of special needs education,
career guidance and counselling in the Ministry of Education, many such
illegal acts among school children are due to lack of mentoring programmes.

"Moulding is not there. Most problems such as violence and drug abuse among
schools are caused by teachers, who are more of instructors than mentors,"
he says, "teaching with friendship, guiding, supporting, coaching and
assisting would change the behaviour of students."

Omagor says although many teachers were focusing on their academics, there
was need to effect change on personality of the student to ensure total
excellence.

Dr Ndyanabangyi says parents need to watch out for symptoms such as, anxiety
and restlessness, violence, talkativeness, drowsiness, agitation,
convulsions, among the children.

She says treatment of the child who is an addict could require a health
professional who has trained in managing addiction.

"The drug must be washed out first. Otherwise they may never listen to what
you have to say to them," Ndyanabangyi says. Washing out the drug, she
explains, is a process called detoxification.
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MAP posted-by: Josh