DRUGS COULD RUIN YOUR LIFE

Musa Mukasa was sweating profusely on the day of his final S.4 exam.
He could not write. The invigilator got concerned and went closer to
find out what was wrong. The student was drunk. This contributed to
his poor performance.

Peter Kasaijja was expelled from school just before his S.6 final
exams because he was caught smoking marijuana and chewing mairungi.
Kasaijja was more than a drug abuser, he was also the chief supplier
of drugs at school and knew all the drug dealers in Kampala. He was
only 18 years old.

Are you on drugs or do you know anyone taking them? It is time for you
to stop.

Kampala is becoming a drug-infested city. Has our society accepted and
tolerated indulgence in drug abuse? The drug abuse problem has become
a national tragedy that has far-reaching consequences.

CAUSES: Films are the source of the stimulus and the drive for the
youth to take drugs.

Casual use of drugs: Friends may offer you drugs or make them
available to you and your curiosity or your peer pressure motivates
you to do it.

There are many parties or trips to local beaches organised by the
students themselves. These teenagers expect to have rules-free
celebrations with friends, they may very well engage in risky behaviours.

There are related risky behaviours or immoral practices that follow
the taking of drugs, that is, rape, defilement, strikes, fights,
promiscuity, unprotected sex and impaired driving. This puts the youth
in danger of being imprisoned and acquiring STDs or HIV/AIDS.

How to fight drug use:

Always organise parties with permission from the administration.

Involve your parents in your preparations and inform them where you
are going to have the party.

Get to know the type of people you are going out with.

Help your friends to deal with peer pressure in case they are being
influenced by wrong elements.

The Global Youth Network project is creating a network of
participatory youth organisations that work for drug prevention.
Activities include: holding meetings and sharing experiences, guide on
innovative techniques on drug abuse prevention.