Preface

Staying away from drugs is a long term

struggle. Numerous environmental factors

affect us differently such as; stress, peer

pressure. Our own life style, too, determine our

addictive behavior. Youth can be easily

influenced by surroundings. Friends at school

and college, media, family, and many other

factors bring emotional and behavioral

changes. Present booklet has been prepared to

guide our youth. By following 7-Ways (as

described) in your daily life, you can learn to

prevent yourself from the menace of drug

abuse.

Riffat Sadiq

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1-Seek guidance of Allah

Almighty

Pray is a way of communication to your creator. You

send your request to Allah Almighty by praying. He

listens to every one of us, irrespective of our

religious and ethnical differences. Whatever your

religion is, if you call Him, He will surely respond you.

Being the creator of entire universe, He knows all

about others. He is the only one Who knows the

intentions of people and what is going on behind the

scene.

In many cases, it was seen that friend or someone

significant whom the victim relied on was responsible

for drug initiation or other kinds of accidents.

Therefore, always pray to Allah Almighty to guide you

regarding making friends or other matters. You also

pray Him to help you to be stayed away from all kinds

of evils.

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How can you pray to Allah?

You can pray to Allah at anytime, anywhere.

There is no definite time for pray. He listen

you everywhere, prayer place, home, school,

park etc. You go to mosque, temples, church to

offer prayer on definite time but you can talk

to Allah Almighty everywhere, anytime.

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2-Try To Be Part Of Good Company

Try to find a company of good friends. Good friends

not in term of appearance, status or extra ordinary

attributes but in term of positive attitude. A friend

having good self-esteem help you to build self-

confidence, sense of right and wrong and exhibits

tolerance, if something bad happens in life.

A good friend does not like to go to bad places, does

not waste his/her time in useless activities, and

discourages you whenever you try to be involved in

those activities.

We all also learn from each other through

observation. The way people talk, the words they use,

the topic they discuss, their interests influence each

other. In a company, each member is influenced

unconsciously by rest of members. If you are not

interested in one thing, but continuous discussion or

pressure will incline you later on to be involved in the

same thing in which other members are interested.

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Resisting them for a long time is not possible for you.

Being a part of good company, you can prevent yourself

from going astray, for instance, drug addiction.

How to find a good friend/company?

At the first meeting, you merely can introduce

yourself to someone whom you are interested to

make your friend. Let him or her to introduce to

you.

Do not make friend hurrily. Take some time to

know the person, his/her habits, way of thinking

or interests. In few meetings, you will come to

know what type of person your friend is.

Also talk to your parents/guardian or significant

other over this matter. Parents/guardian can

guide you in better way.

Take decision by own self so that you may boost

your self-confidence.

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3.Do Not Copy Others

Young age is the golden age and everyone wants to

enjoy it. During this age, external environment

fascinates a lot such as; media, games. Celebrities

from showbiz and sports are admired by youth. Their

hairstyle, attire and fame seem charming to them.

Besides, their attitude, way of talking, gestures and

postures are copied by youngsters. Each action of

celebrities in the movies or live shows looks

attractive to them. As a result, they forget

themselves and start copying them without

differentiation.

But keep in mind that you are unique among all human

beings. You are different and would have some unique

qualities which others do not possess. Therefore,

focus on yourself and explore your inner. Don't copy

others all the time and try to be satisfied what

actually you are.

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How to avoid copying others?

First try to know yourself, Ask question from

yourself

Who am I? What do I want? What can I do?

Focus on your abilities, talent and resources

not on what others are doing. Attire, make up

and particular style of celebrities never make

you satisfied as your own unique personality

can.

If you are going to copy others/celebrities

then first you need to differentiate between

good and bad behaviors and lifestyle. For

instance; copying a hairstyle/attire of

celebrity is not harmful for you as copying the

smoking/drinking behavior is.

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4.Express Yourself

Creative activities are the source of expression,

having soothing effects on our mental health.

Camouflaging inner feelings and emotions may develop

certain pathologies.

Most of the time, youth have complaints from

parents and elders for not providing sufficient time

to them. Some are not allowed freedom of

expression, especially girls. Some belongs to

dysfunctional families. Many other things may disturb

the youngsters.

Youth feel difficulty in finding appropriate ways to

express them. In many countries (Pakistan,

Bangladesh), they are not having facilities as youth

living in developed countries such as America, Canada.

Variety of methods can be used to express self that

cost nothing.

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How to express self?

Express your feelings and emotions in positive ways

such as writing essays, poems, painting, designing,

making recipes, sharing with significant one.

If no one is there to share your feelings, then try

to write a story about yourself. Also talk to

Almighty after prayer, He will listen you and make

you relaxed.

You can sit in the public park, walk there, go for

jogging and to beach alone or with family member

or friend.

You can play games with your friends, sit with them

discussing something.

If you have no beach or public park in your

city/town then you can sit in prayer place (mosque,

temple, church) for few minutes and say whatever

is in your mind.

You can also join a group doing welfare or creative

activities for special purpose.

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5. Do Some Exercises

Mental and physical exercises are effective for both

body and mind. Mostly, we do physical exercise but do

not go for making our mind relax. Though, body

fitness also lead to mental health but some mental

exercises are needed in this regard.

In the current era, our youth have a lot of physical

and mental work to do. They spend most of their time

sitting in front of computer. They are exposed to

multiple stimuli at a time. Apparently, they seem very

energetic but they need to spend some time to

physically and mentally relax them so that they could

avoid harmful things.

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How to relax body and mind?

Do some physical exercises like jogging,

walking. You can also play games such as;

football, cricket, hockey, tennis etc. Cycling

can also be a physical exercise.

For mental relaxation, you can do meditation,

yoga and deep breathing. For deep breathing,

sit in a calm place, close your eyes and inhale

and exhale for minimum 5 to 10 minutes. You

can do this exercise in home, park, holy place

or any other place where you feel comfortable.

You can also go to your prayer place, sit there

for 15 to 20 minutes for mental relaxation.

Prayer also serves the function of both

physical and mental exercise.

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6. Set Life Goals

Life has numerous purposes and we cannot live

successfully without setting life goals. We set goals

based on our desires. Later life depends on the stage

at which we set career goals. Young age is the age of

career decision and development. Career decision is

taken considering aptitude, personality types and

other resources.

Life goals also prevent from indulging in useless

activities. Once you decide what you want to achieve

from your life, then you will focus on target in spite

of wasting your time here and there. Having

appropriate goals in your life, you will be more

productive and satisfied. Other decisions like making

friends/ having intimate relations depends on your

career decision.

How to set life goals?

First you examine yourself what potentials you have

and what you actually want to do.

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Sometimes, our aptitude and desire to achieve

contradict to each other. Set your goals,

especially, your career goals in the light of

what intellectual and creative resources you

have been blessed with by nature.

If you have problem in this regard, then

discuss with any significant one, teacher,

parent, and guardian or get help from career

counselor. Your abilities and aptitude

determine your success in the career you

choose.

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7. Dare to say ' No'

Many times, we feel pressure from outside to do or

follow something. Following/obeying others, especially

elders or authority figure concerning appropriate

targeted goals, is not wrong. But following/obeying

others without considering consequences may be

harmful.

Many became the drug addicts by following their

friends, colleagues and other relatives. When they

were offered drugs, they did not say no. Some used

drugs by just observing them or sitting with them for

a long time. They unconsciously became follower to

drug addict companion.

Youth like to spend their time with friends and

companions to enjoy their golden age; therefore,

there are more chances of being trapped by pressure

coming from circle of friends. They have fear of

rejection from group or friend or not are bold enough

to say no to them. For these reason, they usually

start experimenting drugs sitting with friends or

other companions.

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How to say no to others?

If someone offers you a cigarette or

something else then, do ask questions like,

what is this? What is the benefit of it? Why

are you using that?

Refuse to experiment a cigarette or other

drugs even you are being made fun by others,

rejected or deemed a coward person.

Do not care of losing friends who want you to

use drugs or indulge in useless activities. Do

not be fearful of being rejected by them. Dare

to say no and go on another way, you will find

people having positive attitude. You do not

need to develop fear of being alone. You will

never be alone if someone leaves you.

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