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Going off to university is a milestone of a person's life journey. University life is filled with joy, unlimited freedom, social circles and different kinds of experience. Every student in Sri Lanka has a dream to become a good person to society. To become a well educated, smart professional is hard because it needs education, dedication and time. Young age of students will never come again when it passes. In this age many students do mistakens to solve their problems. Drug addiction is a good example.  According to the survey of social researchers 2.7% (95% CI: 1.7- 4.2) of students currently use addictive drugs in Sri Lanka. 

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There are many reasons for substance abuse among students. Main cause of drug and alcohol addictions is peer pressure. Many students refer to substance abuse by the pressure of their close friends. Other one is social media. The persons who use substance abuse upload those photos and write their feelings on social media. Their friends and others think those drugs and alcohol things are acceptable and have social value. Also many movies, TV shows, books and social media programmes glorify the use of drugs and alcohol. As a result many youths think that use of substance abuse is little fun. We know in the teen ages youths are more curious about everythings. Therefore some teens begin using drugs as they are very curious about how it feels. Also sometimes youths have physiological disorders like anxiety, depression, personality problems, loneliness and family history cases. University students are facing high level stress due to academic performance, social circle, financial issues, friends and family concerns. Appropriately  students take drugs and alcohol as a relief.       

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Substance abuse has many negative effects in the long term and short term. It causes physical and mental health problems, failure of personal, academic and professional life and legal consequences. Also you lost your brand name among others.Any students who have an addiction to substance abuse society should support him to prevent that habit. You can support your friend to communicate their problems, direct him for counseling and medical treatments. Also we can do mass awareness to prevent substance abuse, and support for maintaining a healthy, happy life. As a result students can live their lives respectively while doing their studies, jobs with loved ones. You have only one lifetime opportunity to enter the university and get a degree. Then you have the responsibility to take this valuable chance and fulfill your future goals. Don’t waste your beautiful youth time using drugs, substance abuse and alcohol. Simply don’t grow to death by yourself.  
Editor
Amani Rupasingha