Reflective Essay on Substance Abuse
The adolescent stage is a critical period for the initiation of substance use, may it be alcohol,
tobacco smoking, inhalants, or illicit drugs. Based on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
World Drug Report 2018, the extent of drug use among young people starts as early as 12- 14 years old
to late adolescence (15- 17 years old) and remains higher compared to the older population. In the
Philippines, among the 4.7 million lifetime users of substances, the ages 10- 69 are the most common
years wherein Filipinos use or try illicit drugs, according to the 2019 National Household Survey on the
Patterns and Trends of Drug Abuse. And the adolescent years (10- 17 years of age), is the range wherein
teenagers are vulnerable to trying drugs due to immature decision- making. This just proves that more
and more youngsters with alarmingly very early ages are becoming exposed to these detrimental
substances.
Also, according to the CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report 2011, substance abuse is
associated with several biological, social, environmental, psychological, and genetic factors, which
include gender, race, ethnicity, age, income level, educational attainment, and sexual orientation. From
what I’ve seen and learned, the most important influencers on why a child and/or teen dabbles in the
world of substance use and abuse would be the family, social networks, and peer pressure. This period is
a time of vulnerability and experimentation, and sometimes exploitation, and we should be more
steadfast in guiding the younger generation into the right path.
During this pandemic, major disruptions in the lives of many have been inevitable. While some
can adapt to these changes, a number could not bear the toll these changes bring to their mental,
emotional, financial, and social health. Some are even desperate; thus, resorting to substance use as a
way of escaping their hardships and reality. Reports have also showed increased irritability, clinginess,
fear, poor appetite, and sleeping issues.
To respond to this rising crisis in children and adolescence, several programs were implemented
by the DOH and DSWD. These include the ‘Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program
(DDAPTP)’, which aims to implement a unified and rational health response to prevent and control drug
abuse; and the ‘Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program’, which is a community-based prevention
program to educate families and members of the community regarding the harmful effects of drug use
and abuse. Another project useful in this pandemic is the Substance Abuse Helpline launched by the
DOH and DDAPTP, which offers professional assistance and access to information regarding substance
abuse-related matters via hotline.
Identifying and understanding the key factors to initiation of substance use is the first step to
reducing the number of those who take part in them. Active parental involvement (that is not rigid or
authoritative) and support are both critical in preventing youth substance abuse, as is open
communication. In addition, it is also crucial for the parents, school, and community to recognize the
warning signs of use/abuse and intervene early on to prevent progression to addiction.
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