In January, the
\nagency launched a number of prevention projects, to be implemented across the
\ncountry. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
According to
\nstatistics, as regards most of the categories of drugs, Romania is under the
\nEuropean average, but an increase in consumption has been reported in all age
\nbrackets. Data provided by the agency show that the most used are inhalants,
\ncannabis and drugs that have psychoactive effects. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Using drugs from
\na tender age affects the development of the central nervous system, and of the
\nbody in general, explained on Radio Romania the physician Bogdan Gheorghe, who
\ntalked about the effects of drug abuse, including drugs manufactured in
\nlaboratories<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Bogdan Gheorghe:
\nThe effects of drug abuse turn the
\nperson that takes them into a zombie-like creature. It renders a state of somnolence, with
\nuncontrolled movements, caused by the changes brought to the so-called
\nethno-botanicals. These are chemical substances produced in labs, controlled,
\nso dealers change their chemical structure in order to create a new substance,
\nthat produce the effects of traditional drugs, because that was the starting
\npoint; the idea is for them not to be identified as drugs.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Doctor Bogdan
\nexplains that cannabis consumption can affect the user’s health and psyche as
\nwell as their social-integration skills. Drugs can be classified into several
\ncategories: drugs that inhibit the activity of the central nervous system, such
\nas heroine, stimulants, like cocaine, and drugs that are disruptive, such as
\ncannabis. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Cannabis, for
\ninstance, can cause heart and respiratory diseases and can also affect the nervous
\nsystem. Also, cannabis alters the ability to drive a vehicle, as it diminishes
\nreflexes and hampers coordination. In order to prevent early use of drugs, the
\nNADA runs in kindergartens and schools information campaigns, in language
\naccessible to children and young adults. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
They run
\nprograms such as ‘My Anti-drug Message’, aimed at gymnasium and high school
\nstudents, ‘How to Grow Up Healthy’, for kindergarten pupils, and ‘The ABC of
\nEmotions’, for 1st and 2nd grade pupils, and this is just
\nthe beginning. Diana Serban, psychologist with the agency, said, quote:
\n‘Teenagers have access to information, the role of the expert and of the
\nteacher is to be fair play towards their audience, in the sense that they
\nprovide correct information about the short, medium, and long term effects, so
\nthat the teenager is given the possibility to make an informed decision. We can
\nprovide correct information, alongside programs that aim to create healthy
\nlifestyles, and the ability to cope with potential crisis situations that may
\ngenerate drug consumption. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
This is
\nprecisely the role of the projects we promote – to develop in every age
\ncategory coping and protection mechanisms’, unquote. We asked Diana Serban
\nwhich age category is the most at risk. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Diana Serban: From the general population study, meaning
\n15 to 64, we find that the most at risk bracket is that of 15-24, meaning
\nteenagers and young adults. Also, we have the results of a legacy study in
\nEuropean member and non-member states among the 16 year-old school population
\nwhich indicates an increase in the prevalence of lifelong drug consumption,
\nwhich means experimental consumption at this stage. Through the projects that
\nwe are already implementing, we aim, among other things, to avoid having
\nexperimental use turn to habitual use, abuse, and addiction.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Also this year,
\nthe NADA will develop a national project to prevent drug consumption within the
\nhome called ‘My Child and I’, through which it wants to consolidate affective
\nties within the family, as well as between the latter and school. We asked what
\nadvantages may be provided by the family as protection against drugs. In
\npsychologist Diana Serban’s opinion, it is first and foremost good
\ncommunication between parents and grandparents and children, forming a safe
\nattachment with children up to three years of age, providing children with a
\npositive self-image and a value system. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Track Dina
\nSerban: If the parents are open minded,
\nand don’t believe that drug consumption is a topic that is off-limits, just as
\nsex, for example, often is, when this open communication exists, then the child
\nat some point might tell someone that he or she is in an environment where
\ndrugs are consumed, this is an element of opening that may help the family
\naccompany the child when he is referred to a specialized program, to a
\npsychologist, or a social assistant. At the same time, it may help normalize
\nthe situation within the family through open discussions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
According to
\nDiana Serban, when the parents label the children, this already generates a
\nrisk factor that inhibits communication, and interferes with any other normal
\nelement in a family. <\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Specialists with the National Anti-drug Agency (NADA) warn that the age at which children start using drugs has dropped to 10-11 years<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":156047,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43939],"tags":[44604,32089,44605],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-156046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-future-starts-today","tag-diana-serban","tag-drugs","tag-nada"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n