Drug addiction as a social problem of modern youth

In this work the problem of drug addiction in the youth environment of Russian society is considered.

Keywords: drug addiction, addiction, dependence, social problem, youth, criminal code, psychotropic substances, preventive work, internal conflict.

Drug addiction among young people remains one of the most acute social problems of modern society.

Drug addiction is a medical problem that is also an antisocial phenomenon that has an impact on society.

The importance of this topic is due to the existing regulations in Russia that control the handling of drugs and narcotic products and establish responsibility for their misuse and distribution. Among such laws, Federal Law No. 3-FZ should be noted. «On Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances», the Code of Administrative Offences, as well as the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation [1].

One of the main difficulties of drug addiction is the constant increase in the variety of drugs, which in turn creates new forms of addiction.

To combat drug addiction among young people, it is necessary to take steps to reduce drug use among people aged 16 to 35 years and eliminate their dependence.

The key reasons for the rapid spread of drugs among young people in our country include:

— the collapse of children's and youth organizations in the 90s;

— rethinking life priorities;

— loss of family relationships within domestic circles;

— ineffective anti — drug propaganda, etc.

All the reasons given have their justification and argumentation:

1. Weak preventive work in educational institutions concerning anti-drug propaganda.
2. Some men feel an inferiority complex due to the fact that their women (wives) often have a higher income.
3. On movie screens and on the Internet, life situations such as youth parties are regularly shown, where alcohol and drug use are presented as signs of a «successful life». This creates a desire and desire among young people to adhere to a similar style of behavior and lifestyle.
4. Negative factors such as dissatisfaction with life, the desire to avoid reality, emotional trauma or loss, can contribute to the desire to «escape» from reality through the use of psychotropic substances.
5. Most often, children and adolescents who lack parental supervision and care fall into the risk group.

What can motivate the younger generation to start using addictive substances? The reasons are usually quite diverse. Teenagers often resort to drugs as a result of serious internal conflicts: a friend has turned away, clothes are worn out, or there is a misunderstanding in the family — all these are significant problems for the adolescent's fragile psyche. When a teenager is in such a depressed state, there can always be a «well–wisher» who will offer «help», giving the opportunity to «get rid» of heavy emotions and thoughts — quickly and easily — with the help of substances that distract from real conflicts. [6]

Often, teenagers start taking drugs not because of a real need for health, but because of fashion trends. «Everything that is discussed around you needs to be experienced». This is a false priority, which has no real positive experience, and they do not seek to comprehend the consequences of their actions. [6]

According to statistics, the peak of drug addiction occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting mainly young people who found themselves isolated from their usual normal lives. «Life on the Internet» has contributed to an increase in the volume of online drug trafficking. The age of people suffering from drug addiction ranges from 16 to 30 years: more than 60 % are young people aged 18 to 25, 20 % are older, and the remaining 20 % are children starting at the age of seven [2].

One of the reasons for the growth of drug addiction in Russia is the proliferation of synthetic substances, which are often classified as «light drugs», but have a strong effect on the central nervous system due to their high concentration.

Experts identify the following measures to address the problem of drug addiction among young people [3]:

1. Carrying out preventive measures, including conversations with narcologists and psychologists.
2. Strengthening the fight against drug trafficking.
3. Promotion of a healthy lifestyle and sports among young people.
4. Improvement of legislation on the production and trade of narcotic substances.

In conclusion, it should be noted:

The issue of drug addiction has gone beyond a purely medical problem and has developed into a social one, which indicates the low effectiveness of existing preventive measures aimed at eliminating the drug problem among young people [4].

References:

1. «О наркотических средствах и психотропных веществах»: Федеральный закон от 08.01.1998 № 3-ФЗ: последняя редакция // Консультант Плюс: сайт. URL: https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_17437/?ysclid=luo 46tgb2h852953723
2. Кодекс Российской Федерации об административных правонарушениях от 30.12.2001 № 195-ФЗ: ред. от 11.03.2024: с изм. и доп., вступ. в силу с 01.04.2024 // Консультант Плюс: сайт. URL: https://www.consultant.ru/ document/cons_doc_LAW_34661/?ysclid=luo4rgsrlm592174919
3. Уголовный кодекс Российской Федерации от 13.06.1996 № 63-ФЗ: ред. от 23.03.2024: с изм. и доп., вступ. в силу с 01.04.2024 // Консультант Плюс: сайт. URL: https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_10699/?ysclid = luo4oymivx704006217
4. Наркомания в России 2023: статистика по городам, меры борьбы, количество наркоманов в России // Реабилитационный центр КАС: сайт. URL: https://kas.clinic/blog/narkomaniya-v-rossii/?ysclid=luo3q0jvk5233186475
5. Елесина, И. Г. Предупреждение и профилактика наркомании / И. Г. Елесина // Вестник экономической безопасности. 2021 № 3 С. 288–291.
6. Осипова, Р. Г. Наркомания в молодежной среде: причины распространения и возможные методы профилактики / Р. Г. Осипова. — Текст: непосредственный // Молодой ученый. — 2011. — № 7 (30). — Т. 2. — С. 53–59. — URL: https://moluch.ru/archive/30/3449/