A friend tells her “Ice”, also known as methamphetamine, will increase her energy levels Help her lose weight. Despite her stable work and family life, she is not confident, Mr. Shamria, Then 22 years old I decided to try the medicine.
“I was impressed when I first took the medicine,” she says. “It boosted my energy for work and I was very confident in myself. I thought it was necessary for my work, so I kept shooting. that.. “
According to the Central Narcotics Drug Status Report 2021, methamphetamine, heroin, and cannabis are the three most abused drugs in Singapore, and methamphetamine has been the most abused drug in Singapore since 2015.
Many young people are aware of the misconception that drugs such as methamphetamine, cannabis, and new psychotropic drugs are less harmful and less addictive than “traditional” drugs such as heroine and cocaine, especially among young substance abusers. Abuse of controlled drugs. The report found that 60 percent of new substance abusers arrested in 2021 were under the age of 30.
However, Shamria soon became addicted to methamphetamine and could not function without taking it immediately.
“My addiction is so bad that I spend most of my time taking medicines. I was often late for work and I was so energetic every time that I couldn’t sleep at night,” he said.
“I was spending hundreds of dollars every week. I worked because I had the money to buy medicine and just neglected to pay the invoice.”
turning point
Shamria was finally arrested and sentenced to a year’s sentence at the Drug Rehabilitation Center (DRC) in 2018. This period is what she describes as a turning point.
“I had to get used to using a shared toilet where everyone could see you. I was sleeping on a hard concrete floor without pillows and couldn’t choose what to eat.” She shares.
“In addition to having to adapt to the loss of privacy, the most difficult part of my life was losing my freedom and my family. I realized I was wasting my old life. I did. ”
She is grateful for the support of her husband, who visited her, brought books, and wrote frequently.
As part of its rehabilitation program at the DRC, Syamlia has partnered with the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) to provide drug criminal prevention, aftercare and reintegration programs in collaboration with volunteers and community partners.
“I was fortunate to have a very motivational counselor and executive. It helped me change my mindset and I promised myself to change my lifestyle,” she recalls. increase.
It was with the help of a particular counselor. [her]”Shamira realized that she wanted to do the same to help others.
A life-changing
After her early release from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ms. Shamria joined SANA as a peer leader and has since secured a full-time job as an office administrator. Through her role in SANA, she wants to share her experience with other former substance abusers and motivate and encourage them to turn their lives around.
“As a peer leader, it’s important to let people who have experienced what I’ve experienced before know that I’m here for them, and that they’re not alone,” she says. ..
Shamria also laments the time she lost while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the inability to see her children grow up. That’s why she decided to become a peer leader.
“We hope that interviews and talks will remind everyone that we always have the opportunity to learn from the past and change the future.”
She also wants to remind young people not to give in to the pressure of their peers as they once did.Look around you and thank you for what you have – – If you take medicine, you can lose it. ”
I hope other parents will remember the same for their children, just as they had the support of their families while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Signs of warning that children are abusing drugs can include children becoming very rebellious or blaming others for what happened to them.” She shares.
“Note that especially with regard to methamphetamine abuse, red eyes, clenching teeth, or long-term excessive concentration on certain activities.”
Other changes in behavior or appearance that may be obvious signs of substance abuse include yellowish tooth stains, “wet” breath or stinking hands, laziness, and poor hygiene. increase.
But in the end, she says, it’s important that parents don’t “immediately blame their children” when they suspect substance abuse.
“Talk to them. Be patient and find out if they are facing challenges or problems. Family support is important to keep people away from drugs.”
