Drug and alcohol prevention

It was another Wednesday on the week’s calendar that took us to the Prof. V.K. Samaranayake Auditorium sharp at 8 for the Enhancement lecture. As always, we were eagerly waiting for the lecture to commence as Mr. S.T. Nandasara Approached the stage and introduced the guest lecturer for the day. I will start on the topic and the lecturer with a vague introduction since this topic is not alien to anyone in the present generation. The guest lecturer that came on stage was Mr. Pubudu Sumanasekara, Vice president of IOGT International and Executive Director of the Alcohol and Drug Information Center, better known as ADIC, in Sri Lanka. He was the perfect candidate to speak about the topic allocated for the day.

Alcohol consumption increases as a whole around the world, and this has become a big problem in many countries, especially in Sri Lanka. There are many questions that revolve around this matter, and it has been many researchers’ main focuses to research on the usage of alcohol and other drugs. These researches have unearthed some amazing facts about drug usage. The day’s topic “Alcohol and Drug prevention” done by the day’s guest lecturer, Mr. Pubudu Sumanasekara converge on these facts and what measures can be taken to prevent the increasing use of alcohol and other drugs. Let us go deep on this topic to understand the human logic on alcohol and drugs, and analyze further. I will be using the ideas and examples provided by Mr. Pubudu Sumanasekara throughout this article.

First let us begin with the most commonly used among the items, Alcohol. Alcohol usage is quite popular among people and is the most common in Sri Lanka as well. This trend has been established in the country through a very strategic, structured marketing and advertising plan undertaken by the vendors of this industry. The alcohol consumption in the 40s were very low and through many methods such as TV commercials, paper advertisements, partner product advertising etc. alcohol products went into the society and took a huge leap in consumption. Currently however, Sri Lanka is the only country that maintains a downward trend in alcohol consumption. The government has taken some strong measures on prevention throughout many years, but still alcohol prevails in the country.

Let us think a bit critically and analyze this matter. Starting the use of alcohol is an excruciating experience for any person. Yet people tend to start using alcohol knowing the harmful effects it can cause to a person. Furthermore, people keep on using alcohol continuously knowing the effects long term use can get you. Stop to think this for bit. Why do you think this happens? Mr. Pubudu took a great example. Why do women use high heels to a special occasion even though it brings them great pain until you remove it? This is because they look to get attention of others and standout from the rest of the crowd and they are forced to wear them to blend into the occasion. Same theory applies to alcohol consumption. Men are compelled to use alcohol at gatherings to blend into the social situation they are in and not be identified as the odd one out. The pressure mounted on that person is tremendous. Hence, men consume alcohol even if it brings them pain and not the happiness they look for. The adverse effects alcohol consumption can bring a person is dramatic. There can be diseases that develop for a long time period and become a life-threatening situation, family problems, social discrimination and so on.

Same things apply for the use of cigarettes, marijuana, pot and other drugs as well. The only difference they carry are the side effects caused from the long-term use of the various drugs. According to a survey 20,000 men die in our country each year due to cigarette consumption. Another main question that needs to be addressed is “Does alcohol and other drugs make a person violent and mindless?”. The simple answer is no. The reason it seems as if a drunk or a drug addict looks violent and mindless is because they want to be so. Many people after consuming alcohol and drugs turn into a different person and do what they wish because they can get an excuse for any action from the society. The society will ignore a person’s actions as a drunk or an addicted and excuse for any mistake of such a person. People use alcohol and drugs to gain this advantage.

So, in conclusion effects of drugs isn’t on drugs but on the people, who uses it. Critical thinking is key on preventing the use of alcohol and other drugs. You need think and analyze yourself when trying to consume something that can harm you and hinder you from having real fun and enjoyment in life. You need to learn to question yourself and think twice before taking alcohol or other drugs. A person should be strong enough to stand up against a wrong society and rid themselves of this harmful environment and make life a success.