How to Alleviate the Problem of Drug-Use Among Youth

by Yusuff Ademola A.

Addiction is an essential concept that serves an important role in explaining why people act in ways which may ultimately cause harm to themselves or others. It is a concept that causes serious damage to the self, families, relationships, schools, workplaces and neighborhoods. Research studies have shown that the risk of substance-use peaks in adolescence. A study reports that 13% of 12-17 years old studied reported to have used marijuana, 9.3% used an illegal substance other than marijuana, and about 32% used one of the most widely abused substances, alcohol. The numbers increased dramatically when 18-25 years old were asked, with about 24% having used marijuana, 13% having used an illicit drug other than marijuana, and 75% having used alcohol.

In addition, for generations, public health policies and programs in the United States have attempted to prevent young people from using tobacco products. Laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors appeared in New Jersey and Washington as early as 1883, in Nebraska in 1885, and in Maryland in 1886. When the health consequences of cigarette smoking became well established in the middle of the twentieth century, the need to prevent youth and young adults from becoming addicted to tobacco products gained a new importance. Hence, it is integral that how to deal with the problem of drug use among youth is discussed.

To start with, a report shows that nearly 44million adults smoke cigarettes, more than 80% started smoking before the age of 18 and 90million non-smokers are exposed to second-hand smoke. It has been reported that youth who start using drugs are more likely to have longer term drug problems. Therefore, the first measure in dealing with drug is prevention from use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that prevention programs are highly effective. One of the ways to prevent drug use is to increase awareness. Orientation programs to educate the youth about the fact and reality of drug use should be organized by schools, community and government organizations with the involvement of the youth’s parents. It has been asserted that effective use of public relations and engaging parents can reduce addiction among youth. As reported in the US, one of the biggest challenges American youth face with teen substance use is not their vulnerability, but lack of awareness in the communities. Hence, parents and representatives from communities need to take active role in increasing awareness on drug use.

Increasing understanding of Islam is another way to prevent drug use. Islam encourages self-care and it urges purification soul and striving to reach the peak at which one experiences tranquility and peace through a disciplined life in obedience to Allah. Islam stops every wrongdoing that debases the soul from its root and commands the Muslims to maintain a middle path, and thereby giving no room to substance-use. Therefore, parents and elders in the community should target providing adequate and accurate formal Islamic education for the youth to let them fully understand that engagement in substance-use is exclusively prohibited in Islam. In addition, youth should be informed that drug use causes addiction which resorts from excessive use and that Islam prohibits all forms of excessiveness. With this, youth will comprehend that engaging in drug use constitute major sin, and thereby refrain. The Quran says:

“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah, and diving arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” (Q5:90)

To proceed, it is essential to also discuss how deal with youth who have started using drugs. The foremost step is to address the problem of stigma, fear and denial. It is reported that drug use, addiction and mental health are stigmatized in most communities, which consequently make it difficult for the addicts to seek and receive treatment out of the fear of shame. It has a profound effect on drug users’ lives and represents a significant barrier to recovery.  Therefore, members of the community should eradicate stigmatization of the drug users. Efforts need to be made to diminish inflated fears about users and help people to understand that drug users are not simply and solely ‘to blame’ for their condition.

In furtherance, rehabilitation and treatment facilities should be made available by the communities. Qualified and professional treatment providers should be employed. Drug users should be informed about the ill-effect of their behaviors and Islamic attitudes towards is it. Islam strongly warns against contributing to one’s destruction (Q2:195) and prohibits killing oneself (Q4:29). An Islamic treatment program that can be adopted for drug use is the well-known Millati Islami. It is a 12-step sponsorship program for Muslim with addiction problems. It incorporates Islamic principles and has proven effective for Muslims seeking recovery.

Finally, adoption of Islamic Law is another way to deal with drug use. Users should be educated that substance-use constitutes a major sin in Islam. Abdullah ibn Umar reported in a Hadith that the prophet equates it to idolatry: “If a habitual drunkard dies, he will meet Allah like the one who worships idols.” (Ahmad). Similarly, Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah commented that: “Whoever regards it (substance-use) lawful has become kafir (disbeliever).” Therefore, persistent involvement of any member of the Muslim community after awareness could be subjected to Islamic punishment of substance-use. It is unanimously established that Shari’ah punishment for consuming intoxicants is 80lashes. This could help to let the Muslim youth refrain from drug/alcohol use.

A review of the above discussion will lead to the conclusion that drug use is one of the most costly and deadly health threats in the world, and youth of nowadays are facing an ever-increasing number of dilemma among which is drug use. Hence, it is important that every member in community take responsibility towards prevention of drug use, for it is described as being appalling, despicable and hateful. In fact, it is considered as “the mother of all evils and atrocities”.