In Montenegro, young people are experimenting with psychoactive substances at an earlier age, as young as 13, and the availability of drugs is one of the biggest problems, warned Adrijana Klisić, head of the Addiction Treatment Sector and special educator at the Public Institution (PU) "Kakaricka gora", while appearing on Boje jutra, on Television Vijesti.
Klisić said that the data from the ESPAD survey, according to which one in ten teenagers tries some type of drug before the age of 16, represents a serious cause for concern.
"It is truly worrying and alarming. For years we have been conducting education in primary and secondary schools and warning about the harmful consequences, but that is obviously not enough, because the big problem is precisely the availability of psychoactive substances," said Klisić.
According to her, a total of 38 beneficiaries are currently being treated at the "Kakaricka Gora" Public Institution, including residential and non-residential programs, while 25 clients reside in the institution.
"The youngest user is 23 years old and is being treated for opiate addiction, while the oldest is 64 years old and is being treated for alcoholism," Klisić said.
She points out that the profile of addicts has changed significantly over the years.
"In the beginning, heroin addicts were dominant, while today we have more and more problems with gambling, which is often linked to cocaine. Alcohol is still very present, but it is often not perceived as a serious problem because it is socially acceptable," said Klisić.
Speaking about the causes of addiction, she pointed out that dysfunctional family relationships, emotional coldness, and feelings of insecurity in children play a key role.
"It is not crucial whether the family is complete or incomplete, but how the child feels in it. We often encounter a feeling of insufficient care, insecurity, the presence of violence or other forms of dependency in the family," she explained.
Klisić believes that the adolescence period is particularly sensitive, because then peers and society have a greater influence than the family.
"Young people are then looking for belonging and can easily go down the wrong path, especially with the wrong role models and an inversion of the value system," she said.
She emphasized that willpower alone is not enough to break out of the vicious cycle of addiction.
"It takes a firm decision, discipline, constant work on yourself and perseverance. Relapses are an integral part of addiction, but it is important that the person reacts quickly and seeks help," Klisić said.
She especially appealed to parents to approach their children with understanding, and not through threats and rudeness.
"A nurturing approach is key. Conversation, trust, and support help much more than strict authority and punishment," she said.
Klisić reminded that assistance in Montenegro can be provided by the Public Institution "Kakaricka Gora", the Center for Mental Health, as well as the newly formed Department of Adolescent and Child Psychiatry of the Clinical Center of Montenegro.
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