If 15 years ago someone claimed that drug  of  abuse tests would be easily available in Polish pharmacists, then one would be considered to watch to many American movies. No one could even think then that not very numerous hippie groups freely using medicaments available in drug stores, treating themselves with cannabis derivatives or taking heroin (so-called Polish compote) would not be the only drug addicted “community”.

It should be noted that until 1989 Censorship regulation clearly describes that situations like alcoholism, drug addiction, prostitution or homelessness does not exist or are only minimal dregs of society  in Poland. According to that regulation it is hard to estimate the real number drug addicts at that time or assess the situation co-called “sport” drug addiction. At this point we should pay tribute to Marek Kotanski who had the courage to talk publicly about the drug addiction problem, warned about its quick increase. Fortunately he brought into existence new places for drug addicts recovery. I think that even in his dreams he never presumed the range of the problem we face today.

In 90-ties a great change has occurred on narcotic market in our country. New drugs become available quickly infiltrating through teenagers community and like every western trade treated with a great dose of acceptance, without foreseeing negative effects. Big influence on  increase of this situation had also a fact of coming people connected with a world of crime to drug addicts environment. Theses people did not used drugs by themselves but regarded drug trade as a very profitable business. The police describe that moment as a time of appearing so-called narcotic business in Poland. We can say that since that moment drug addiction  has taken pandemic proportion. And I do not mean only people who are diagnosed as drug addicts but all who – in smaller or bigger extend use drugs. According to Addiction Clinics statistics the age of initial drug abuse among adolescents has drastically decreased. The report also informed about huge availability of all drugs as well. It is well known that drug abuse problem does not only concern big cities or pathological community. Poland is one of the bigger amphetamine and ecstasy  producers, at the same time being a smuggling  truck for Turkish and Afghanis heroin from the South to the North of Europe. At any place where young people gather there is always a dealer offering wide range of drugs. The myth that only rich people can afford drugs has to be exploded. Nothing more misleading! If at Warsaw club we cannot buy a bear for the price lower than 5 PLN while we can buy an ecstasy for the price of 2,5 PLN – is it expensive?

And this is only one of the examples how cheap are drugs in Poland nowadays.
Updated records from Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology researches prove that in some children and teens environment even 40% smoked marihuana or other its derivatives at least once in their lifetime. Some people call this situation  as a “trend” for drugs. But the trend for i.e. wearing mini skirts in winter can results in cystitis while “trend” for drugs for some can be lethal. Despite that fact there are voices speaking about drug legalization, dividing them into “soft” and “hard” drugs. Does the word soft means more safe in this case?

At this point, almost mechanically, comes a question: what should I do to keep my child away from drugs? The answer given by a therapist with a long-term experience can be surprised. There is no possibility to protect our child against drugs! At yard, school, summer trip, , disco or party with friends - our child will have a contact with drugs. He or she may even try it encouraged by somebody trusted. What is important that parents find out about the event. Of course not from a friend after several years after or – even worst – from Addiction Clinic therapist but from their own child. If that happens, we can be sure we have a good relation with our child and we can talk about the problem from every point of view. Supposing we have good knowledge to be a reliable partner in a conversation.

Unfortunately, according to relations of the parents who I met in Addiction Treatment Clinic, they are the last people who find out that their child takes drugs. In past if we suspected that our coming home late daughter or son dropped in a bad company, or just explored life attractions, was enough to say… come here and breath out! And everything was clear. With drugs the situation is more complex. Of course, if somebody is so drugged out that “flows through fingers” or loses his/her consciousness then diagnose: <> comes easily. But one involves slowly, gradually into world of  drugs; tasting variety of drugs, compare their effect, looking for harder feelings and sensations. If a man, especially young man takes drugs and he/she feels goods with it – will never admit it. She or he will lie, cheat, manipulate – will do anything to not being catch. Very often parents are helpless in this situation. As from one hand their child behave normal (in the initial stage of drug abuse) but from the other hand we have a feeling that something is wrong. Certainly we can look for a help at therapist and hoping that he will manage to  diagnose that our child took drugs three days ago. But there is no such possibility. Even well trained specialist will not be able to recognize a presence of drugs in human body after few days from application.

And here come the tests. Drug of abuse tests in urine or even more simple to perform – drug of abuse tests in saliva can help us a lot. They can help us to detect the presence of drugs in the body. Depending on the sort of substance it can be detected in the body from several hours to a few weeks after use. Of course we cannot  presume that the test is a therapeutic mean but having it we can be sure of the real situation. When our child try drugs with a awareness we will not accept it, he/she will hide that fact. In case our children know that we can use drug of abuse test and have a result only in a few minutes, they might be afraid of consequences that it will stop them against trying. It is much easier to act like this with younger children. Since 14-15 teenagers taking heroin came to Addiction Treatment Clinic, every parent must be aware of the problem at early stage. It is well known that early detection of marihuana abuse, talking with our child about the problem, indicating negative effects or control him/her with drug of abuse test may have positive results in the future and contribute to the fact that our child will never use other drugs in his/her life again. Of course we can never be sure.

It would be perfectly to live in a world without drugs, or without their negative effects. I think that in a real life we can feel a bit more safety  with all our knowledge about drugs and having aids like drug of abuse tests.

I wish it for myself and for all Diagnosis team!

Adam Nyk