How the Problem of Drug Use Begins Among Children and Why We Rarely Notice It in Time

Drugs do not enter children’s lives suddenly, with great drama or clear intent. Most often, they arrive quietly and unnoticed through the wrong company, misleading messages, and moments when a child feels lonely, confused, or invisible. That is why drug use among children is not only an issue of substance abuse; it is also an issue of communication, lack of support, and insufficient prevention.

Today’s children grow up in a world where they are expected to be strong, successful, and constantly “good.” Yet, they are rarely asked how they truly feel. In such an environment, many children do not seek help; they seek escape. Drugs often appear precisely where conversation, understanding, and emotional safety are missing.

There Are No “Bad Children”

One of the most dangerous misconceptions is the belief that drugs affect only children from troubled backgrounds. The truth is very different. Drugs do not discriminate between wealthy and poor, quiet and outspoken, successful and struggling children. Those most at risk are children who feel rejected, pressured, misunderstood, or emotionally unseen — regardless of their achievements or behavior.

For many children, the first encounter with drugs is not a conscious decision. Instead, it is driven by a desire to belong, to avoid ridicule, or to feel accepted “like everyone else.” In those moments, when a child does not know how to say “no” or whom to turn to for help, the problem quietly begins.

What Do Children Really Need?

Most often, children do not lack strict punishment or more rules. What they truly lack is:

• someone who will listen without judgment

• reassurance that their emotions matter

• a sense of safety that allows them to make mistakes and still feel accepted

• an adult who will not intimidate them but seek to understand them

When children hear only prohibitions, they withdraw. When their fears are minimized or mocked, they stop sharing. Eventually, they begin searching for answers in unsafe and harmful places.

The Crucial Role of Adults

Parents, teachers, and society as a whole carry a great responsibility. There is no such thing as a perfect parent, but there is one key factor that makes a real difference: presence. Children who know that someone is genuinely there for them are far less likely to succumb to negative influences.

Conversations about drugs should not be based on fear or intimidation. On the contrary, they should be honest, calm, and age-appropriate when a child understands why something is dangerous- rather than simply being told that it is forbidden, they develop awareness, critical thinking, and responsibility.

Prevention Starts Earlier Than We Think

Prevention does not begin when the problem appears, but much earlier. It begins with building self-confidence and teaching children how to cope with stress, rejection, and disappointment. A child who knows how to manage emotions develops stronger inner resilience against harmful choices.

When children are taught that asking for help is not a weakness, but an act of courage, drugs lose much of their power and appeal.

The Role of Society Cannot Be Ignored

Beyond the family and school, the wider society also plays a vital role. When problems are ignored or downplayed, children receive the message that they are on their own. However, when society speaks openly, educates consistently, and offers support, it creates an environment where children feel protected and seen. Prevention is a collective responsibility, not an individual failure.

Let Us Not Choose Silence

Silence does not protect children. Conversation does. Every child deserves an adult who will ask:

“How are you - really?”

The fight against drugs is not won solely through laws and punishment, but through trust, presence, education, and compassion. Every child who chooses a safe path because they feel understood and supported represents a victory not only for their family but for society as a whole

Description: Many children face risks quietly, without anyone noticing. This story explores how drug use often begins subtly, why it is rarely recognized in time, and how trust, presence, and conversation can protect children before it’s too late.

- A.Petrovski