BY LEULSEGED WORKU
The majority of Ethiopian society is youth and the government is using its strategies and policies to benefit these members of the society. However, due to its vulnerability to social media youth`s exposure to alien cultures and illicit drugs is increasing at an alarming rate and local cultures are being threatened by alien cultural value systems.
For this and other related reasons, economically productive generations are victimized by dependency, social alienation and psychological traumas. Economically active and productive citizens that are supposed to be the engine of the economy are seen becoming a burden to their family and the whole country. Nations that are supposed to spend their budget for other developmental projects are also seen spending millions of dollars for mental treatment purposes.
As indicated by Minister of Women and Social affairs, Ergoge Tesfaye (PhD) on the launching of National anti-drug movement, safeguarding the youth from abusing their freedom and becoming prisoners of all forms of illegal drugs is the responsibility of every institution and every individual. According to her, the youth are becoming victims of drugs and alien cultures.
She also said, “Urbanization, globalization, and the like are the main problems that are exposing the youth to such problems. Due to these reasons, social values are being eroded, affecting the production and productivity level, challenging economic growth, reducing traditional linkage and creativity, undermining homegrown knowledge, and increasing instability.”
Youth Empowerment Executive Director at the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, Banchu Mulugeta, also said, men are the major victims of drug related problems. But this does not mean girls are free from such problems. According to her, all stakeholders have responsibility in fighting illegal use of drugs and misuses among the youth.
She said that the effort to control illegal use of drugs must be curbed by active involvement of all stakeholders including parents, schools, higher educational institutes and regional states. The role of families and schools in shaping the character of the youth should take the lion`s share. This is especially true in schools where there are peer pressures and threats of exposure for illegal drugs.
“Proper monitoring and inspections areas in and around schools and higher educational institutions should be part of this action. In this regard, Women and Social Affairs Ministry has a key responsibility in closely monitoring the activities of all sectors and stakeholders.” She also pointed out that expansion of sports facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, establishing supervision and inspection systems in a structured and coordinated way would bring significant change in saving the youth from bad-mannered areas.
As indicated by Addis Ababa University, Addiction Psychiatrist, Professor Solomon Tefera, there is correlation between substance abuse and mental health. “Illicit drug use is one of the reasons for mental related health complications and cause for several social and economic challenges to an individual as well as to the nation”.
According to him, due to illegal use of drugs several youths are seen involved in crimes and they are frequently observed exposing themselves to social dilemmas. He also noted that the use of cannabis among the youth and students has a negative impact on their educational performance and future career. According to him, youths addicted to drugs have higher chances of economic dependence, attempting suicide and higher chances of school dropout.
Students who use cannabis or other drugs have poorer educational outcomes than their nonsmoking peers. Alcoholism among the youth is the other social and economic threat to individual users as well as to the nation. The more youth become addicted to drugs the more they look for opportunities to get them. This pulls them back from social norms and puts them in situations they cannot escape.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 18 APRIL 2023
