Teen drug abuse has become a serious concern for parents these days. It is known that certain risk factors like peer pressure, poverty, etc. increase the risk of teen drug abuse. Likewise, there are even some protective factors which are considered to reduce the substance abuse among teens. Protective factors are those conditions which prevent or modify risk factors. They help in improving the circumstances in the lives of adolescents and hence, reduce the chances of substance abuse.
Self-control at individual domain is the most important protective factor which minimizes the influence of substance abuse. A positive social interaction, positive temperament, self-efficacy and ability to adapt to changing circumstances are some of the individual characteristics to be developed in order to reduce the influence of drug abuse.
Even family-related factors help in protecting against the risk of using illicit drugs. Parental monitoring is one of the main considerations to avoid your kids from being influenced by drug usage. Parents should always be perfect in supervising kids' daily activities and behavior. Warmth, cohesion and attachment with parents is very much necessary during childhood.
As peer pressure and poor academic performance may influence kids to use drugs, academic competence can reduce this risk. In addition, anti-drug policies implemented at schools also is a great idea to protect the kids from drug addiction. Formal and informal family support along with a positive external support system should be maintained. Strong neighborhood attachment at the community level is considered another important protective factor to reduce teen drug abuse.
Protective factors may interact with the risk factors and prevent, modify or moderate the effects of substance abuse. However, the protective mechanisms may also interact with each other strengthening their protective effects.
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