It is imperative to avoid taking drugs for the first time
Raymond Yans is President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), an independent organization for the implementation of the United Nations drug conventions. He asks of those responsible, of teachers and of parents not to lower their guard in the face of the increasing trivialization of cannabis.
IT IS URGENT THAT YOU EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT DRUGS
Every responsible adult should have a heartfelt desire to educate the young people around him so as to prevent them taking drugs for the first time.
Yes, Alcohol is a sedative drug. In drinking regularly a large amount of alcohol, one becomes an alcoholic within a few years. Alcohol is characteristically able to potentialize the effect of all other drugs it is mixed with. If one mixes alcohol with another or others drugs, one can very rapidly become a drug-addict.
Drugs are not a disease. The best way to stop them is not to take any. Heroin addicts who achieved withdraw admit that complete abstinence is the only solution. They say it themselves : it is more difficult to withdraw from Subutex (substitution drugs) than from heroin…
Most drugs are stored in the body fats for years. During an exertion, a walk, sport, fear, surprise, stimulation, a bit of fat is burnt and very small quantities of drugs are released into the blood circulation. This will reactivate the effects of the drugs, making the user feel that they want more.
No parent would lend his car to his child knowing he/she has not learnt to drive. It would also be unconscionable to let one’s teenager go out without having taught him/her what drugs are. Nowadays availability of these products is such that youth can procure them in all the places they frequent – educational establishments, parties, class dinners, rallies, sport clubs... Parents must inform themselves objectively and scientifically about the products so to educate their children on drugs and provide them with the arguments to refuse them. Let us remember that drug addiction doesn’t just happen to others!
A drug-addict is someone who takes drugs in order to solve problems created by taking drugs. S/he thinks that s/he can stop taking them whenever s/he wants, however, in spite of the harmful consequences caused by consuming drugs, s/he cannot. If the drug-addict experiences withdrawal symptoms he will think only about providing himself with drugs even if it means acting against his morals. The demand is so strong that anything linked with will, effort, love or morals gradually disappears completely. Lies, violence, aggressiveness, moral or physical suffering, self-harm, being afraid to take part in everyday life become the norm. Because of these evil acts, the drug-addict looses his/her self-esteem and goes deeper into loneliness and suicidal urges.
Member Organization of Make Mothers Matter, granted General Consultative Status by the United Nations.