Parents can protect children from drug abuse

The advisory from the Sharjah Police to parents across the UAE to be alert for signs of drug abuse in their children is a timely reminder of the unfortunately persistent nature of this problem in the country. Each year, there is a perceptible increase in the number of children taking up drugs in the UAE. And as statistics reveal, more young children are falling victim to this social menace. While authorities are doing everything they can to eliminate this scourge, there is much that the most important stakeholders in this problem — parents — can do to assist the authorities in reversing this tide.

The first signs of trouble in the habits of a child can be best spotted only by parents. While schools and the law can act as deterrents they are, arguably, secondary defences. A good upbringing and a vigilant, responsible attitude towards their child is the most effective insurance parents can buy for their child’s wellbeing, particularly in today’s times, where they have to contend with a host of influences, including social media’s ability to spawn deviant sub-cultures that attract young minds. A strong, supportive family environment is the next best thing to invincibility parents can offer their children.