Drug use is a complex issue affecting millions of people worldwide. Many people who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which can further harm their physical and mental health and prevent them from accessing the help they need. The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, established by the United Nations, is observed every year on June 26 to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse. This year’s campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy, providing voluntary evidence-based

Bright Products. Dark Intentions. Uncovering the Appeal According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the tobacco epidemic is one of the greatest threats to public health humanity has ever faced. Every year, tobacco claims the lives of more than 8 million people worldwide—over 7 million of these deaths result from direct tobacco use, while approximately 1.3 million are caused by second-hand smoke exposure among non-smokers. The nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive, and tobacco use is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, more than 20 types of cancer, and numerous other severe

Bosnia and Herzegovina leads Europe in the number of betting shops relative to population size—and that number continues to grow. The increasing number of venues offering games of chance, along with their accessibility and availability—especially near schools—makes betting and gambling increasingly present among children and youth. Not only is it within easy reach, but when combined with a lack of quality recreational options, boredom, peer pressure, curiosity, and the idea of quick money, it’s no surprise that betting shops are filled with minors. Games of chance are activities in which participants wager money or something

The internet has become an essential part of everyday life, especially for young people who use it for school, communication, entertainment, and staying informed. Thanks to easily accessible mobile devices, internet access is constant and ubiquitous. Research shows that nearly all adolescents use the internet, yet most of them do not consider their usage to be problematic. There is no denying that the internet brings many benefits—access to information, learning, easier communication, and entertainment—but excessive use carries risks, including reduced academic performance, social isolation, cyberbullying, and mental health issues such as depression, stress, and low

Numerous studies confirm that smoking is the most widespread addiction among young people. Although they are often aware of the consequences of smoking, they tend to disconnect those risks from their own smoking experiences. Instead, they overestimate the short-term social benefits they believe smoking brings, such as group belonging, striving for adult behavior, popularity, and the like. In our country, the first experience with smoking usually occurs at the age of 13. Smoking is one of the greatest health risk factors and can also be a risk factor for alcohol abuse and the use of

Are Parents the First Line of Defense in Preventing Children from Buying Alcohol? Alcohol consumption among children and youth is the most widespread socially accepted behavior that also represents a risk factor for a range of physical, psychological, and social problems. Alcohol is often the first addictive substance (alongside tobacco products) that children encounter, frequently within their own family environment. Among youth, alcohol use is influenced by peer pressure, fear of exclusion, the desire to prove themselves, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. The easy availability and affordability of alcohol—often cheaper than non-alcoholic beverages—combined with a

Free Time – An Opportunity for Rest, Learning, and Development or an Enemy of Our Personality? Free time is an important aspect of young people’s daily lives, significantly influencing identity formation. Activities within free time can be geared toward relaxation, leisure, and personal development. While free time offers opportunities for personal growth and relaxation, if inadequately structured, it can also become a space for the development of problematic behaviors, such as excessive internet and social media use, substance abuse due to peer influence, gambling, violence, and similar issues.An old saying goes, It takes a village