#DrugsDestroyLives



Influence of Social Media on Drugs
Social media has effectively changed the ways in which individuals communicate, taking exchange of words, pictures, thoughts and ideas moving them from an in-person format to fully digital and omnipresent platform. The interaction between social media and public acceptance of unlawful behaviour are no secret, with an overall function aimed at sharing as much information as possible with as many as possible. Social media has the potential to fill important spaces in understanding of how drugs abuse, and how to improve the efficiency on how we could decrease substance abuse. Drug use and abuse from offhand images that show evidence of use in the background to intentional displays of possession or utilization by friends, family and public figures.
Facebook may be the only name that comes to mind when the term social media is used, social media is used however there are various platforms that allows users of all walks of live to connect with drugs dealers. Other social media platforms for instance dating sites that also became a digital trade.    Drugs on social media
Study of drug usage
A new study attempted to understand the impact that social media left on teens, a project known as the “Youth and Using “study questioned 2 000 social media users both old and young. The study discovered some interesting opinions about teens using social media and substance abuse, the study backed up the findings that teens using social media are likely to use marijuana.
While social media could play a role in the negative actions, it could also have a helpful tool in eliminating drug abuse. Many organisations have begun online campaigns that are aimed to connect to teens on social media, addiction treatment centers have started programmes to help young adults over the fear of seeking assistance in substance abuse related issues.  Social-media-influence on teenage drug use


Advantage of using the hashtag on social media

Create awareness
Creating a platform for drug users to share their stories which would also encourages others to share their journey to how they are becoming recovering addicts.



Disadvantage of using the hashtag on social media


Cyber bullying
Cyber-bullying is another reason to why social media ended up to leading to substance abuse, drug addiction usually happens by the ways of anxiety and depression. Many people are victims to cyber-bullying, victims often use drugs as a coping mechanism because they are overwhelmed, anxious or depressed.


Recommendations on how drug abuse can be reduces 
  • The government should open free rehabilitation centers so that the less fortunate can use it , and recover from substance abuse. 
  • The SAPS should work with communities that  are high affected with drug abuse. SAPS should also raid all illegal areas.

Comments

  1. Unknown18 March 2019 at 14:58

    Very informative, relevant and a reality many families live with, but together we can and must change the tide of substance abuse, the destructor of lives

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elsèda18 March 2019 at 15:33

    Great read, imformative and capturing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Elsèda18 March 2019 at 15:33

    A huge cause of depression and suicide.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Joey18 March 2019 at 15:43

    Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows that the earlier a person begins to use drugs, the more likely they are to progress to more serious use. This may reflect the harmful effect that drugs can have on the developing brain. It also may be the result of early biological and social factors, such as genetics, mental illness, unstable family relationships, and exposure to physical or sexual abuse. Still, the fact remains that early use is a strong indicator of problems ahead among them, substance abuse and addiction. The rate of drug abuse is growing at a vast rate among the youth and the government should really take the youth into consideration , because they are the future generation of tomorrow

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thabo Mgiba18 March 2019 at 15:44

    Most of it causes by peer pressure

    ReplyDelete
  6. Stay innovative with Me18 March 2019 at 15:54

    Enjoyed your blog, straight to the point and highlighted important things.

    ReplyDelete
  7. MR KENNEDY Matsika18 March 2019 at 23:22

    With all this being said, what would you recommend in order to stop all of this in our society

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fighting the Odds19 March 2019 at 13:45

      Social media platforms should firstly not allow minors to create accounts , because that is where the youth start following wrong social media influencers and getting into traps such as peer pressure.

      Perpetrators should be put in prison, because drugs is illegal in South Africa, SAPS should also raid all illegal drug dens . South Africans should be educated about the negative impact and effects of substance abuse including the dangers of using it.

      Delete
  8. Unknown19 March 2019 at 01:41

    Very enlightening 👌 straight to the point.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kylie Vilakazi19 March 2019 at 02:28

    Good content. Question is: what is your call to action; how will you eradicate this issue?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fighting the Odds19 March 2019 at 13:51

      The plan of action is to involve the South African Police Services, so that they can work in hand with reported communities with huge percentages of drug trading's or usage. The 2nd plan is to run free rehabilitation centre in unfortunate communities, because other reasons of drug addicts not getting help is because families can't afford it.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous19 March 2019 at 03:50

    You have helped us understand the importance of staying away from drugs and gain an understanding that living for pleasure will be the end of us!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gladys Ekinyoh19 March 2019 at 05:18

    The side effects of drugs are so harsh so much so that it lead to loss of memory, attention and decision-making, which make daily living more difficult .

    ReplyDelete
  12. ophelia19 March 2019 at 10:23

    Most teens want to try out new stuff to be impress by they friends not knowing its bad to use drugs

    ReplyDelete
  13. MR KENNEDY Matsika19 March 2019 at 12:51

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Katlego Modjadji19 March 2019 at 13:28

    Valid points that you mentioned. Drugs really destroy lives something must be done before it’s too late

    ReplyDelete
  15. Deets_by_D20 March 2019 at 02:33

    Great and informative article. Social media does really play a role in both the distribution as well as the awareness against drug abuse.

    ReplyDelete

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