By Warefa Pereke.
Every day, we see it around us. Young people, full of promise, slowly disappearing. Not truly gone, but trapped in a different world – a world of hard drugs. This is not just a problem; it is a silent killer, taking a whole generation, both in body and mind.
Hard drugs are poisons. They attack the body from the inside and break it down. We see young people getting thinner, their skin looking bad, and their eyes losing their shine. Their hearts get weak, their livers fail, and their brains get damaged. Simple things like eating well or sleeping enough become impossible.
Beyond the clear health problems, there is the risk of diseases. Sharing needles spreads illnesses like HIV and hepatitis. Neglecting hygiene leads to infections. The long-term effects are terrible, leaving many with lasting damage that cuts their lives short.
But the harm is not just to the body. It is often worse for the mind. Hard drugs change how the brain works. They mess with thoughts, feelings, and decisions. People addicted to drugs often feel alone, depressed, and anxious. They lose interest in things they once loved.
Their minds become cloudy. It is hard for them to focus, learn, or remember. They might become paranoid, seeing threats that are not there. Relationships with family and friends break down. School or work becomes impossible. The very personality of a person can change, leaving behind a shadow of who they once were.
Drug abuse and addiction is a form of self-destruction. Why are so many young people choosing this path? It is often because they want to belong. Maybe they feel hopeless, or they are trying to escape problems at home or in their lives. Peer pressure plays a big part too, and sometimes, it is just about trying something new that goes terribly wrong.
Whatever the reason, the result is the same: lives wasted, futures lost.
What Can We Do? This is not a problem we can ignore. We need to openly discuss the dangers of hard drugs. We need to teach youths about the real harm these drugs cause. Our Government must make it easier for those struggling with addiction to get treatment and support. All hand must be on deck to give young people reasons to hope, to dream, and to choose life over drugs.
Our young people are our future. We cannot afford to lose them to this quiet crisis. It is time to act, to protect them, and to help them find a path to a healthy, happy life.
