According to Rosa Maria Nancho of Philippine General Hospital, almost 81 percent of Filipino adolescents have engaged in pre-mantal sex. In her document Adolescent Health in the Philippines for the Department of Health, she reports that 40 percent of youth perform sexual activities to express love, 20 percent of them have engaged into sex because of curiosity, 14 percent because of being in need to release some "urge," 8 percent are pressured by partners, while 6 percent are under the influence of drugs. The common places where teen sexual activities occur are boarding houses or dormitories, their own houses, beaches, parks, partner's or friend's house, hotel, or motel.

Another disturbing addiction that ails the youth today is drug abuse. In a survey by the Social Weather Stations in 1997, among the age bracket of 15 to 30 years old, an approximately 2.1 million young Filipinos are abusing substances. The agency names the top ten most abused drugs and in the list are methamphetamine, multiple drugs, mixed pesticides, ethanol and isoniazid. Also included are marijuana, salicylic acid, malathion, paracetamol and caustic substances.

As restrictions become more lax when someone gets older, getting addicted to vices like smoking and alcohol gets easier.

Nancho reports that in a study regarding the prevalence of current alcohol drinking among Filipino adolescents aged 15 to 29 years old, where 1,517 adolescents act as respondents, 1,146 of them positively answer drinking alcohol. On the other hand, a study by the Philippines Global Youth Tobacco Survey among 11,630 high school students shows "13 percent of smokers tried their first cigarette before age 10 with girls [15.4 percent] significantly more likely than boys [11 percent] to have first tried it." It is alarming that only four in 10 smokers think smoking is harmful to their health.

Defining addiction

Addictions manifests in many forms. According to Dr. Normando Napeñas, a psychiatrist, addiction is an "attitude wherein a person continues to use a certain drug or element despite the knowledge that it is not good for his health."

Napeñas says that in most cases, the common symptoms that can be found in a dependent are the feeling of being in need of that element, constant perspiration and drying of lips. The uneasiness that can be felt after trying to stop taking an element is also a sign of addiction, the psychiatrist adds.

In a society where almost nothing is beyond one's access, being addicted is as easy as ABC. There are so many elements one can find pleasurable to take in such as alcohol, smoking, drugs, and even sex. Most of these elements can be absorbed with or without prescription making it more open for access to people regardless of race, sex, and even age.

Treacherous engagements

One might ask why do our youth engage into these serious matters. Napeñas explains the risks "are multi- factorial cases."

According to the psychiatrist, these factors can be divided into three, namely: physical, psychological, and social.

Napeñas believes that these addictive elements can give the dependents a stronger sense of self and security. "Some people derive good feeling when they take something," he says.

On the other hand, the psychological and social reasons of dependents, according to Napenas, include problems, unhappiness, depression, and in most cases, the experience of rejection like losing a job.

"In-Thing"

A 28-year-old man, who requested anonymity, admits being dependent to alcohol and smoking. Like any other stories of addiction, he con fesses that his friends influence him in engaging into these activities.

"My friends influenced me. Besides, hindi ako magpapahuli sa mga yun," he shares. He admits that he was in high, school when he first tried alcohol and smoking.

Aside from peer pressure, he considers that alcohol and smoking are the "in-thing" today, citing movies and shows that demonstrate alcohol ism and smoking.

The entertainment industry is also a responsible factor in promoting these addictive activities, he says. He shares how he got the idea of taking and using drugs through watching films. However, he denies addiction to drugs saying that he only take one when he has money,

With an average of a pack a day and a consummation of eight bottles of alcohol, he admits that there are times that he cannot help but to think of what has happened to him.

"Sometimes, especially when I am alone, I wonder why I keep on doing things like this," he reflects.

Sharing the consequences of being a dependent, he admits the awareness of the dangers these addictives could bring upon him. He recalls how his weight started declining after months of getting hooked with smoking and alcohol, with frequent use of drugs and engaging into sexual activities. He notices that as he started using these addictives, his physical appearance began changing like his eyes became more prominent. He also admits that there are times that he becomes short-tempered, especially when he does not have enough money to buy his drugs of choice. However, he denies ever becoming violent under the influence.

In spite of this, he shares that there are times that he just want to give it all up, but he says that it is really a hard thing to do, noting that almost every day of his life is spent with these elements around.

Considering the practicality in life as well as his future, he thinks of quitting his addiction. "1 would like to stop because I fear that my future children will become addicts too. I do not want that to happen."

Defining dependents

Napeñas, a diplomate in the Philippine Board of Psychology, draws the line between an addict and a dependent.

For him, society must not call those who are into drugs an "addict" because this word has a degrading connotation. He says that as one utters the word "addict" the common perception is someone who is already at the worst irredeemable stage. Being tagged an addict might cause a patient to be even more depressed and could drive him even deeper into his addiction.

Napeñas believes that the right term to use in referring to people who hunger for these substances is "de pendent." He says that people should provide support and motivation, not judgment and rejection.

Modifying motives

With the increasing number of adolescents becoming dependent to alcohol, smoking, drugs, and sex, rehabilitating them remains the only way to save their lives and salvage their future.

Chemical prescriptions, psycho therapy, behavioral modification treatments, and counseling are some processes that a dependent should undergo in rehabilitating himself, says Napeñas.

With six to 24 months of rehabilitation process, he assures total character development and an in-depth change in personality and life perspective. However, Napeñas says that the best treatment a dependent could get is full motivation and support from the family.

"Family support is very crucial in making rehabilitation process a success," says Napeñas. He explains that the family has the ability to make the dependent less anxious and comfort him during times of depression and rejection.

Napeñas adds that in a culture like the Philippines where family is a core asset, the support and willingness to help the dependent is a strong motivation and drives the dependent to the right path. For the doctor, accompanying a dependent on regular clinic visits is a strong foundation for the rehabilitation of the dependent. This simple gesture, is tangible and proof of family support toward overcoming the addiction.

While society projects the image of these teens as a poor helpless victim, society must question what role it has played, what it has done, or is not doing that drives these desperate young people toward a dark and lonely road of addiction.

Kristelle Joy Festin is a graduating journalism student from the University of Santo Tomas.