DRUG ABUSE

Over the last decade drug use has been gradually increasing within the Muslim community. In some areas it has reached crisis point and some are still under the impression that it is not an issue within the community. In the long term a single drug user has an impact upon the whole community.

Yet, with virtually no Islamically oriented treatment options available and with very few Muslims skilled in drug related work, Muslim parents are often left in a state of confusion. Nevertheless, they are often the first ones who seek help for their son or daughters drug use!

So what is a parent to do? Be patient and develop a strong trust based relationship with your son/daughter from a very young age as a preventative measure to such problems.

If you suspect that your child is using a substance try not to shout at them as this may cause an argument. Besides this, your suspicions may be wrong. If you have clear evidence that they are using drugs, approach the subject with them in a calm, controlled manner. Encourage them to open up to you, listen to them and advise.

The drug user can only be helped when they are ready to accept change. One of your roles will be that of a motivator. Seek to understand addiction in all its forms. More extreme forms of addiction create very strong inner tension. The pull can be so great that even highly motivated individuals will have a struggle to ‘break-free’ from drug misuse. Explain the detrimental influence their habit is having on all spheres of their life, family, social and work. Coming off drugs can be a long process. Don’t expect instant results. Learning lessons from the process is as important as the end result. Make it clear to them that you have their best interests at heart but also make clear to them what you will not tolerate.

Don’t suffer in silence. Speak to someone you trust for support. Make contact with your local Drugs Project. Ensure that they can provide an Islamically sensitive service for you.

Below we have summarised some of the common drugs prevalent in our society today.

NEGATIVE INFLUENCES OF CELEBRITIES ON TEENS

Technology has given people easy access to everyone’s lives. Fans are able to feel a part of their favorite celebrity’s everyday life by tracking their whereabouts. They feel up-to-date on what is happening in their lives. Thus, giving them a connection and a sense of closeness to celebrities. The ability to constantly know what is happening with celebrities—what they are wearing, where they are going, and what they are interested in—affects how society lives their lives. People feel the need to emulate their favorite star, so they imitate their clothes, accessories, and even attempt to attend the same type of places.

Teenagers are the most common people trying to copy their idols. Celebrities have the easiest time influencing teens because they are so vulnerable. Teenagers are in search for self-esteem, their identity, and a “cool” self-image. All of these aspects of a teenager’s life are detrimental to who they will become. The power of the celebrity has taken control of these teens and ended with negative influences.

A teen needs to satisfy his need for love, acceptance, and success in order to experience high self-esteem. He gains his self-esteem by pleasing his parents, peers, and society. This is a time in an adolescent’s life where they feel the most need for acceptance. This need for acceptance drives teens to be more experimental, innovative, and sometimes controversial. They are at a time in their life where they keep reinventing themselves. They may start out as a jock, then become a punk, then preppy, and so on and so forth.

According to Teenager Research Unlimited, fun is the number one description for the teenage generation. Teenagers emphasize freedom, yet do not want to take on the responsibilities and obligations of adults. Fun links the teens to experimentation with illegal or illicit substances. Their ideas on life are more in the clouds than in reality. Teens are thinking, dreaming, and even planning a few years ahead. This, in turn, is making celebrities a few years older than them more desirable. Teens are fans of Miley Cyrus, who was caught on film smoking marijuana, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, who went to jail for drinking and drugs. Teens consider this to be okay, and do not let instances like this hinder their idols’ likeability.