Youngsters with low self-esteem are vulnerable

One oft-cited culprit in addictions is peer pressure. In the joy of companionship, if someone persuades experimenting with substances that assure a ‘high’, how many would say no?

The evil effects of addiction may be known in the intellectual space, but the peer-pressured decision to experiment will be an emotional one. Many do not want to fall behind or be the odd one out in a group.

Benchmarks that normalise the usage of dangerous substances are consciously created. Youngsters and teenagers fall for it without even realising it’s the negative effect of peer pressure.

Those with low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression are particularly vulnerable.

Our campaigns have not been able to tackle the recreational angle that is now largely hooking a big segment to the drug menace.

In this trap, there are no gender differences. I recall an occasion last month when six Class X students, half of them girls, were sent for counselling after being spotted drunk during a school annual day celebration.

Positive peer pressure as a tool for change

Peer pressure can also have positive effects. We have not been able to utilise this as a tool in deterring those who use addictive substances.

There is a larger percentage who do not use, and among them, it’s easy to spot a group who can be empowered with skills to identify a peer getting into substance use early.

They can apply the skills of positive peer pressure and initiate them into productive and creative activities.

This initiative, with the participation of the same-age group, may work more constructively than an adult-scripted awareness campaign.

Here are some innovative strategies to mobilise positive peer pressure:

Leadership programmes

Is it not possible to identify students to promote healthy behaviours and discourage substance use?

Peer mentoring

Why not pair students with positive role models who can provide guidance?

Classroom discussions

Encourage open conversations about substance use and its consequences.

Launching online challenges

Let them explore collaborations with positive social media influencers, and create reels that inspire healthy changes

Enhance vigilance

Motivate correction through peer pressure. Students should be encouraged to celebrate and reward a friend’s positive behaviour change.

Create an atmosphere of sharing distress

Students should be guided and aided well in coping with stress. Let them foster a culture of enhancing self-esteem

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If the energy wasted on unproductive conflicts is reinvested effectively into such initiatives, the space for substance abuse or violence will shrink. Let the students themselves lead from the front.

(The writer is senior consultant psychiatrist at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi)

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