HARARE-BASED social worker Debra Tadhuyana has urged youths to shun the consumption of drugs and other illicit substances as they had a huge potential to derail them from pursuing their life purpose.
Speaking at the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFM) Harare north youth conference held in Domboshawa, Tadhuyana urged young people to distance themselves from illicit substances.
Held under the theme, “Limitless: God is Breaking Your Box”, the conference was designed to help young people deal with different life issues.
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Tadhuyana said drug and substance abuse robbed youths of their future.
“I am speaking about this issue of drug and substance abuse because I was also into drugs and substance abuse which caused me not to sit for my tertiary school final year exams,” she said.
“As youths who fear God, there are some parties which are not fit for you to attend. In friendship, you must learn to choose the right company wisely as the Bible says do not be deceived, bad company ruins good character. So, select the right friends to hang around with.”
Tadhuyana said young people should be more eager to get drunk in the Holy Spirt as the Bible says, and urged parents and guardians to spend time with their children so they could closely monitor them.
“Parents must be able to notice signs that may indicate their children are into drugs and substance abuse, like a dip in school performance, change in time of coming home, loss of appetite, stealing small things, untidiness and weight loss,” she said.
“Parents and guardians must instill confidence in their children. They must encourage children to do what they can do according to their ability.”
Tadhuyana said it was key for parents to ensure a tight rein over their children through instilling good values into them and marking boundaries they should not breach.
“Parents must do accurate assessment and after they see if something not familiar with the child. Boundaries must be set for the child to govern their behavior through instilling norms and values,” she said.
The continual uptake of drugs and substance abuse can lead to changes in the brain, leading to mental health issues such as paranoia, depression, anxiety, aggression, and hallucinations.
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