What exactly are drugs?

The drug is an abbreviation for "narcotics and dangerous drugs." In addition to "narcotics," the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia has introduced the term "drugs," which stands for narcotics, psychotropics, and addictive substances. All of these terms, including "narcotics" and "drugs," refer to a class of substances that pose a high risk of addiction to their users. According to medical experts, drugs are psychotropic drugs that are used to anaesthetize patients before surgery or to treat specific diseases. However, its use is now being abused, including the use of a dose that exceeds the dosage limit or an overdose. Drugs are ingredients or substances that, when ingested, affect the body, particularly the central nervous system or brain, causing physical, psychological, mental, and social functioning disorders if misused. As a result, the government enacted anti-drug laws (UU), including Law No. 5 of 1997 on psychotropics and Law No. 22 of 1997 on narcotics.

Drug Addiction in Children and Youth

Until recently, the spread of drugs was almost unavoidable. Given that almost the entire world's population can easily obtain drugs from irresponsible individuals, Drug dealers, for example, prefer to prey on schools, discotheques, brothels, and gang meeting places. Of course, this can raise concerns among parents, community groups, and the government about the willing spread of drugs. Efforts to eradicate drugs have frequently been made, but there is still little hope of preventing drug use among adolescents and adults, including many children in elementary and junior high school who are addicted to drugs. Until now, family education has been the most effective method of preventing drug abuse in children. Parents are expected to supervise and educate their children about the dangers of drugs. According to the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), every child has the right to receive reproductive health information (including HIV/AIDS and drugs) and to be physically and mentally protected. Despite this agreement, it has been discovered that children as young as 7 have consumed inhalant-type drugs (inhaled vapors). Children as young as eight years old are already using marijuana, and by the age of ten, children are using a variety of drugs such as inhalants, marijuana, heroin, morphine, ecstasy, and so on (BNN research in collaboration with the University of Indonesia).

Up to 2007, there were 12,305 cases of drug use by perpetrators with elementary education levels, according to data from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN). This data is extremely concerning because, in addition to an increase in drug cases (particularly among young people and children), the spread of HIV/AIDS is also increasing and threatening. Because elementary school children have begun to experiment with smoking cigarettes, the spread of drugs is becoming easier. Drug dealers frequently infuse drugs with addictive substances (substances that cause addictive effects) into tobacco rolls. This demonstrates that current efforts to protect children from the dangers of drugs are insufficient.

Despite the government's declaration in Article 20 of the Child Protection Act number 23 of 2002 that the state, government, society, families, and parents are required to implement child protection and are accountable for doing so (see the Child Protection Act for more details). Drug prevention for children, however, continues to fall short of expectations. Drugs are a serious and complicated problem that cannot be resolved by one party alone. Because drug usage is a problem for everyone's health. It takes a lot of work to find the best answer, and it requires the participation of all parties, including the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities. In order to safeguard children from the risks of drugs and to give them with useful alternatives, it is crucial that adults work together to educate kids about the risks of drugs and the negative effects they will experience. Children need knowledge, techniques, and skills to safeguard them against drug risks or to decrease the effects of drug use on others. The implementation of programs that target school-aged children is one of the measures being made to combat the risks of drugs (school-age-oriented).

The number of drug addicts is quickly rising in Indonesia. Most drug addicts are between the ages of 11 and 24. Age is therefore either a reference to productive age or to student age. Students who use drugs frequently start by smoking cigarettes when they first start. because among students nowadays, smoking seems to have become commonplace. This behavior strengthens the association, particularly if the student associates with others who are drug addicts. She initially attempted, but she became dependent.

Adverse Effects of Drug Abuse

Drug addiction has the following detrimental effects on children or teenagers (students):

     - Changes in temperament, attitude, and personality

     - A lack of learning ideals and discipline, as shown by repeated absences

     - Anger and irritability, 

     - Constant yawning, sleepiness, and lethargy

     - Doesn't give a damn about your health 

     - Enjoys stealing to acquire drugs.

     - Bringing about murder, madness, and paranoia!

Efforts to Prevent Drug Abuse

It should be everyone's obligation to work to stop drug use among pupils. In this situation, it is important for all parties—including parents, teachers, and the community—to actively participate in raising awareness of the dangers that drugs pose to our children.

When implementing a drug prevention program in schools, there are three things that need to be taken into account. The family should be involved first. Numerous studies have demonstrated that parental views have a significant impact on how children perceive drug usage. One method for altering family views around drug use is to improve parenting in order to foster greater communication and an environment at home. The most popular type of intervention paradigm is parent support groups.

Second, by highlighting the no-drug policy in a straightforward manner. Consistent educational efforts to explain why drugs are wrong and support anti-drug initiatives in schools are necessary to send a clear message about not using. The detrimental effects of drugs on learning, academic performance, and the ability to lead respectable lives must be regularly stressed to schoolchildren.

And lastly, it fosters greater trust between adults and kids. This strategy encourages increased in-person interactions between adults and teenagers, which in turn encourages adults to take on more significant role models roles.

In order to properly realize the dream of raising educated and resilient generations in the future, educators, instructors, and parents must now be vigilant and aware of the risks of drugs, which can entangle their own children at any time.