Read the passage and answer the following question:
Smoking also paves the way to hard drugs. Tobacco has been used by human beings for more than 400 years. It is smoked, chewed or used as a snuff. Tobacco contains a large number of chemical substances including nicotine, an alkaloid. Nicotine stimulates adrenal gland to release adrenaline and nor-adrenaline into blood circulation, both of which raise blood pressure and increase heart rate. Smoking is associated with increased incidence of cancers of lung, urinary bladder and throat, bronchitis, emphysema, coronary heart disease, gastric ulcer, etc. Tobacco chewing is associated with increased risk of cancer of the oral cavity. Smoking increases carbon monoxide (CO) content in blood and reduces the concentration of haem-bound oxygen. This causes oxygen deficiency in the body. Knowing the dangers of smoking and chewing tobacco, and its addictive nature, the youth and old need to avoid these habits. Any addict requires counselling and medical help to get rid of the habit.
Choose the correct statements about the prevention and control of alcohol and drug abuse among adolescents:
A. Parenting that combines low levels of nurturance and consistent discipline has been associated with lowered risk of substance abuse.
B. Help from parents and peers should be sought immediately so that they can guide appropriately.
C. The energy of a child may be channelised into healthy pursuits like sports, reading, music, yoga and other extracurricular activities.
D. In identifying the situations that may push an adolescent towards drugs or alcohol, the parents and the teachers have a special responsibility.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → B, C and D only
Habits like smoking and taking drugs or alcohol are most often picked up during adolescence. So prevention means spotting the risky situations early and giving the child warmth, guidance and healthy outlets.
Statement A: Parenting that combines low levels of nurturance and consistent discipline has been associated with lowered risk of substance abuse. — False. It is parenting with high levels of nurturance (care and warmth) together with consistent discipline that lowers the risk of substance abuse. Low nurturance leaves the child without support.
Statement B: Help from parents and peers should be sought immediately so that they can guide appropriately. — True. Seeking help early from parents and peers lets them guide the young person and also helps him or her let out feelings of anxiety and guilt.
Statement C: The energy of a child may be channelised into healthy pursuits like sports, reading, music, yoga and other extracurricular activities. — True. This is part of education and counselling, along with teaching the child to face stress and accept failures as a part of life.
Statement D: In identifying the situations that may push an adolescent towards drugs or alcohol, the parents and the teachers have a special responsibility. — True. Parents and teachers are closest to the adolescent, so they are best placed to notice these situations and act well in time.
NCERT Extract:
Prevention and Control – “… Hence, it is best to identify the situations that may push an adolescent towards use of drugs or alcohol, and to take remedial measures well in time. In this regard, the parents and the teachers have a special responsibility. Parenting that combines with high levels of nurturance and consistent discipline, has been associated with lowered risk of substance (alcohol/drugs/tobacco) abuse.”
Prevention and Control – “… It would also be worthwhile to channelise the child’s energy into healthy pursuits like sports, reading, music, yoga and other extracurricular activities.”
Prevention and Control – “… Help from parents and peers should be sought immediately so that they can guide appropriately. Help may even be sought from close and trusted friends.”