The circulation and abuse of drugs among children, students, and adolescents continue to increase. This phenomenon is certainly a nightmare for parents, as the consequences can be devastating—ranging from a ruined future to the loss of life. Unfortunately, parents are often unaware that their child has become involved with drugs. So, what are the signs that a child may be trapped in drug abuse?

Drugs, also known as NAPZA (narcotics, psychotropic substances, and addictive substances), are extremely harmful to physical health. In addition to causing addiction, long-term drug use can lead to serious and potentially fatal diseases affecting the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. Excessive drug abuse can even result in death.

Types of Drugs

There are several types and classifications of drugs commonly abused, including:

Depressants
Examples include morphine, heroin, and putaw. These substances suppress the central nervous system, causing users to feel temporary calmness, drowsiness, or even loss of consciousness.

Stimulants
Examples include caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine (sabu-sabu), and ecstasy. These drugs work rapidly to stimulate bodily functions and create heightened energy or excitement.

Hallucinogens
Examples include marijuana, cannabis, and LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide). These substances alter perception and can cause hallucinations. Users may experience intense calmness followed by vivid imagination, which can lead to abnormal behavior.

Factors That Lead Adolescents to Drug Abuse

Several factors can increase the risk of adolescents becoming involved in drug abuse, including:

Stress Factors
Children may experience depression when facing continuous pressure. Sometimes parents do not pay attention to their children’s interests or emotional needs, especially when busy with work or personal matters. This situation may drive children to use drugs as a temporary escape to find relief.

Peer Influence
According to Piyoto Subur, a field officer at KIOS, a child’s natural curiosity combined with peer groups that already use drugs often leads them into drug abuse.

Signs of Drug Use in Children

Parents often fail to recognize that their child is abusing drugs and only realize it when an overdose occurs. Early prevention is still possible by identifying signs of drug abuse at an early stage.

According to A. Kasandra Putranto, a psychologist from Kasandra Associates Jakarta, there are several physical and behavioral signs that indicate drug abuse.

Physical Signs of Drug Abuse

• Red eyes, which are common across most types of drug use
• Strong body odor, as users often sweat excessively and emit a distinctive or pungent smell
• Poor personal hygiene, especially among heroin users, including infrequent bathing and wearing the same clothes repeatedly
• Oily hair and hair loss
• Slow and shallow breathing, causing users to breathe rapidly, similar to someone who has just exercised

Behavioral Signs of Drug Abuse

• Disrupted sleep patterns, such as excessive sleeping or extreme lethargy, or the opposite—insomnia
• Changes in eating and drinking habits, including loss of appetite or overeating
• Increased emotional sensitivity, becoming easily irritated or angered by minor issues
• Disorganized thinking, difficulty concentrating, and mental confusion
• Changes in peer groups, often becoming drastically different over time
• Increased financial demands, as users begin asking family members for money to fund their addiction

Addressing Drug Abuse

If a beloved child has become involved in drug abuse, parents should not remain silent or isolated. It is important to seek help from professionals such as doctors, counselors, or drug rehabilitation practitioners. Detoxification treatment is necessary to gradually remove harmful substances from the body and help break the cycle of addiction.

However, the saying “prevention is better than cure” is especially relevant when it comes to protecting children from drug abuse. Parents play a vital role as the foundation in shaping a child’s character. They are responsible for educating their children about the dangers of drugs as early as possible. With proper awareness, children can understand the risks without threats or coercion and make informed decisions that protect their present and future lives.