CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED to all manner of threats to their well-being, personal safety and development. These range from drug abuse, smoking, gangs and school violence to online pornography, sexual experimentation and peer pressure.
A recently conducted survey indicated that 20 per cent of the population has smoked marijuana and this is prevalent among a large percentage of children of school age. Some may be alarmed at these findings but the facts are: drug use is indeed a problem among this group and therefore we cannot pretend the problem does not exist.
Drugs are everywhere – in the neighbourhood, on the block, inside some haversacks in the classroom. Children are constantly being exposed to this menace, therefore it is imperative that parents do not turn a blind eye but educate themselves and their children and tackle it head-on. They must ensure they know the different forms and street names of these drugs.
Some of the common street names for marijuana are weed, pot, Aunt Mary, dew, African black, African bush, babysitter, bale, gash, harsh gangster, grass, herb, kif, Mary Jane, reefer, sinsemilla and skunk.
Cocaine is also called coke, crack, Aunt Nora, B.J.’s baby, ball T, happy trails, Mama Coca, blow, nose candy, nose powder, yam and zip.
Armed with this information, children would not be left in the dark if and when their friends are having “drug conversations”.
It might not be an easy task for some parents to talk about drugs with their children but retreating from such discussions can leave children unprepared to deal with this monster, and that can be disastrous. Children who do not know the facts about drugs are at far more at risk of trying them.
There are red flags that indicate something is wrong. Therefore, parents need to be aware of drastic changes in the behaviour of their children.
Red flags
Your child may seem to lose interest in his or her appearance or activities such as sports. He or she may show signs of withdrawal, depression, fatigue and hostility and have deteriorating relationships with family members and friends. There may be changes in academic performance, eating or sleeping habits, or increased absenteeism or truancy. Whatever the signs, parents beware. It is also important to know that these signs may indicate problems other than drug use.
Advice for parents • Be involved. Get acquainted with the parents and friends of your children and learn about their interests and habits. If it seems that your child is attracted to those with bad habits, intervene right away. • Natural high. Encourage your children to get involved in activities that can give them a natural high. Sports, recreational, religious or volunteer activities can be very productive and rewarding. • Stay calm. Should you find out that your child is on drugs, be calm and rational. Keep the lines of communication open and do not ridicule your child. Remember that getting angry will close the door on further discussion. • Avoid conflict. It is difficult to solve a problem when there is conflict. If a confrontation develops, stop the conversation and return to it as soon as both of you are calmer.
Most importantly, show love and seek professional help for your child.
• Rhonda A. Blackman is an educator, a National Development Scholar and former president of the Early Childhood Association of Barbados Inc. Email [email protected].
