N umerous incidents have been reported in local and

international television and social media about drug users and

dealers who are caught in the acts, especially in those squatters area
or what they call drug dens. Not only those people who live in this
populated area are being reported to the authorities but believe it
or not powerful persons like government officials also indulge their
selves in using prohibited drugs.

Most of the drug users in the Philippines are young people. Illegal
drugs that are present include Methamphetamine or the local name
is shabu, marijuana, inhalants (rugby), solvent, cocaine, diazepam,
ecstasy and nubain. While there are no accurate statistics available,
it is estimated by Dangerous Drugs Board as many as 3.7 millions
in the Philippines are dealing with drug addiction just a year 2016,
65 percent of it -is young people. So what is the reason why this
young people in the Philippines are attracted to use these illegal
drugs? Maybe you will agree with this points Ive listed. Ill focus my
discussion on young people who use prohibited drugs.

First, enjoyment.
Despite all the concerns about illegal drug use and the attendant
lifestyle by young people, it is probably still the case that the lives of
most young people are centered on school, home and employment
and that most drug use is restricted to the use of tobacco and
alcohol. They may adopt the behavior, fashion and dialect of a
particular subculture including the occasional or experimental use
of illegal drugs without necessarily adopting the lifestyle. Even so,
the evidence of drug use within youth culture suggests that the
experience of substances is often pleasure rather than negative and
damaging. People who use drugs may like the feelings of
excitement, confidence and connection with others which some
drugs can elicit. Drugs may also help relieve feelings of boredom. So
possibly the main reason why young people take drugs is that they
enjoy them.

Second, environment.
Many young people live in communities which suffer from poverty,
with high unemployment, low quality housing and where the
surrounding infrastructure of local services is fractured and poorly
resourced. In such communities drug supply and use often thrive as
an alternative economy often controlled by powerful criminal
groups. As well as use that might be associated with the stress and
boredom of living in such communities, young people with poor job
prospects recognize the financial advantages and the status
achievable through the business of small scale supply of drugs.

Third, curiosity.
Most young people are naturally curious and want to experiment
with different experiences. For some, drugs are a good conversation
point, they are interesting to talk about and fascinate everyone.
Teenagers and adults can succumb to peer pressure. The pressure
of being around others who are abusing drugs or alcohol can make
anyone follow suit and do things that they never thought they
would.

Lastly, personal problems.

Some young people will use drugs specifically to ease trauma and
pain of bad relationships and then physical and emotional abuse
arising from unhappy home lives. Such young people will often
come to the attention of the school. If these problems can
addressed, then if drugs are involved they can become less of a
problem.

So how can we prevent this widespread use of drugs and drug

addiction? For me, it is within ourselves, and that is DISCIPLINE.
Its hard for me to know that the lives of my fellow young people are
being devastated just because of these prohibited drugs. If I have
the opportunity to renew their lives, I would help them by
conducting seminars about drug addiction. I will encourage them
to join some recreational activities to reverse their attention on
drugs. I will promote the importance of Education and FAMILY.
Lastly, encourage them to practice the healthier living habits.