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“We Take life as it is , so we Don't need drugs”

Sharin Shajahan Naomi

When a young man takes drugs, doesn't he realise that it will destroy him eventually? In most of the cases, he knows it very well. But despite this knowledge, young people take drugs just to escape some harsh realities of life, or to get rid of some disturbance or a problem, or to get excitement and pleasure for the time being. But life does not shower blessings all the time. There are ups and downs in life. One has to learn to accept both. Then why should we resort to some harmful practice, like taking drugs, to forget the shadows of life? What should be our strategy to deal with the unknown without taking drugs?

Himel, Akhi, Mujahid and Sonia have just appeared in their final year exams from the law department in the University of Dhaka. They will have to wait for at least one year to get admission in the masters course. They even don't know when they will finish masters and start a career in law practice. So, lots of uncertainties are facing them at the moment. Now, will they start to take drugs to forget their tensions? When I asked the question, they all replied very strongly "No way, we cannot even think of it !" What makes them so determined against drugs despite the uncertainties? Here are the reasons behind their bold ' NO' to drugs.

Q: I think you all have heard the name of yaba ? What do you think, why the young generation is getting attracted to such drugs in such a large number ?

Akhi: Today's Young generation is always in the mood to experiment new things for enjoyment. You must have observed whenever any new mobile phone comes to market, it is the young generation that becomes the main clients. Similarly, Yaba is comparatively new drug in the market and young people are its main clients.

Himel: Well, I think it is not about something new in life. It's about the capacity to meet up the demands. When young people get to know that yaba is available and cheap and it can work better than the other drugs, they are going for it.

Mujahid: Today's young generation gets frustrated in a very short time. They don't have patience to deal the realities of life. They always want a quick solution.

But in life, nothing can be achieved overnight. When young generation does not get things in the way they want, they start to find solace in something else, whatever it is. Drug is one of them. And yes, I agree with Akhi, that many young people are always in the mood to try something new and that's why yaba is their first choice at present.

Akhi: Yes, I believe that frustration is the strong factor behind taking drugs.

Himel: Today's young generation is facing dilemma about career planning. This is a strong factor to generate frustration.

Q:The reasons you have narrated are very common in young generation. I think in some point of time you must have gone through these dark moments. Why didn't you take drug as a solution? What did you do to encounter the problems ?

Akhi: Yes, when I entered the law department in the first year, I was not finding my own track. I was really frustrated. At that time, I shared my problems with my friends and my family. During that time I spent most of the time with my mother.

I always kept patience and soon within one year I started to enjoy my law course and my results started to improve drastically . What I applied to beat frustration and boredom were- patience and hard work

. Himel: I often face sadness and frustration, as every human being does. And I take it as a part of life. I know sadness is not permanent. Today I am feeling bad, tomorrow I will start smiling. I watch good movies and go to restaurants to taste some new food. I know these are not solutions, but these are the healthy ways to spend time.

Mujahid : I always do something constructive to avoid frustration and tension. I am a member of some student organizations. I keep myself busy in planning study circles, seminar etc.

Sonia : Sometimes, I feel like crying and running away from life when life becomes too cruel. At such times I do some cooking like try some new dishes according to Siddika Kabir's recipe. I cook for my family and my friends. Sometimes it is your family or your friends who become the reason of your pain, but I always believe whatever they may do, they are the closest one on this earth and they are the people who love me the most. And I find my happiness in their happiness.

Q: What is your message to the students who are taking drugs to face the harsh realities of life ?

Akhi : Face life as it is. When you will be hurt by a close one, try to remember the good memories you spent with him or her. Try to remember the smiles of joy that were given to you by them. Always think of the positive sides of the life when the negative sides of the life bother you. When you can do that, you need not take drugs. And even, if you have already taken , don't think you have to be with this for an indefinite time. Life is very precious and there is always options. Return on the right track and forget about drugs.

Sonia : Always tell yourself - forget and forgive. Forgive the limitations of life and forget what you have done to encounter the limitations. We all are human beings and we are supposed to do mistakes.

Mujahid: Yes, fight with life to achieve your goal. But don't use drugs as your weapon in this battle, cause in the long run it will be your own enemy. Use patience, hard work and your dream to understand the beauty of life.

Himel : We should take life as it is, hence we need not fall in the traps of drugs. To all our friends on every campus -Please follow our strategy and stay away from drugs.

(Student of Law Department ,DU)

We don't deserve this

Saushan Rahman

I slammed the door behind my back. I needed some time alone to think what had happened a few minutes ago. I had a big argument with my mother, more like a fight. I never though I would have dispute with my mother on such an issue. The cause of our fight was Yaba, the drug everyone has been talking about lately.

While watching Ekushe Shomoy, suddenly my mother asked me, "You never happened to have tried any such thing have you? And even if you do, out of curiosity, you would come and tell me right?" I was puzzled. It took me a while to understand what she was saying. Before I could say anything, my mother said, "Whatever you do, don't hide from me. I am always here to help you."

I could not take it anymore. I felt as if I was nothing but a miserable Yaba addict who was cheating on her family. The thought of my mother not being able to trust me was terrifying. "Mom, I am not into drugs and you know that. Why would I do something like that. Don't you trust me?" was my reply. "I do trust you," my mother replied. Then she added, "But you may never know. What if any of your friends are involved." "Oh so now you have problem with my friends as well. What is wrong with you? Don't you trust me?" I screamed at the top of my voice and saying this I rushed out of the room.

I sat alone in my room. Was my mother losing faith in me? What was happening? I was not caught with that disgusting drug. Then why would she ask me all those questions? And what made her think I would take drugs!

This is just one story. I know many boys and girls have faced the same situation as me. A brilliant student at IBA says, "I used to go to Gulshan to play billiard. But now I am no longer allowed to do so, because my parents do not trust my friends. I am totally house arrested at this moment."

All the parents are afraid now. Suddenly there is a gap between our parents and us. We are paying the price for someone else's mistake. The Yaba addicts have not only ruined their lives, but now they are making our lives miserable.

Later that night, my mother came to my room. She said, "I did not mean to hurt you. I do trust you. All I want is you to be safe, that's all." At that point I felt miserable. Our parents are in a constant anxiety because of us. And now this Yaba problem is like adding desert to the main course. Our parents do not deserve to suffer like this and nor do we.