Dittmar: How protective factors can combat drug abuse

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Risk factors of drug abuse were the subject of my last article; now it’s time to discuss specific protective factors that can be implemented in order to combat drug abuse.

When early aggressive behavior is displayed in children or youth, this is a behavior that is controlled and executed by the individuals themselves. For aggressive behavior the protective factor is self-control. This is a tool that all individuals possess; it is just more prominent in some rather than others because it has been positively reinforced over time.

Poor social skills are a risk factor that exists in any individual. Social skills can be learned and are also imitated. Positive relationships are a protective factor that can be fostered in the home and will reduce drug and substance abuse. These positive relationships can be with a parent, family member or teacher.

Lack of parental supervision has the potential to help foster many different forms of abhorrent behavior. This risk factor exists within the family and can be easily reversed by implementing the protective factor of increased parental monitoring and support. Latch key children in our society are placed in a prime position to encourage drug and substance abuse.

Peer pressure will often play a large role in an adolescent taking their first steps toward becoming a substance abuser. These peer pressures can be offset by increased emphass on academic competence. When youth have peers who consider intelligence a positive personality trait, they will emulate these behaviors, just as they do with abhorrent behaviors.

When drugs are readily available in the school, this greatly increases the risk of drug use and abuse. In order to protect our youth, strong anti-drug use policies must be implemented and enforced. These policies must be on a municipal level, as well as within individual schools.

Finally, poverty within a community also increases the potential for substance use and abuse. If poverty exists, then strong neighborhood attachments can work against drug use. An old proverb states: “It take a village to raise a child.” There is great truth to this proverb, evidenced by the increase of drug use in poorer neighborhoods where no real relationships exist among members of the community. All of us need to have a greater awareness of those around us and be willing to assist and guide them in time of need.

What do all of these risk factors have in common? They are all preventable if we work together and implement the appropriate and necessary protective factors prior to an adolescent, or adult, heading down the path to substance use and abuse.

If you are interested in the prevention of substance use and abuse and want to play an active role in your community, then please join the M*A*S*H Coalition on Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. We meet at City Hall on the third Thursday of every month and look forward to seeing you there. For further information please contact Firouzeh Dittmar at [email protected] or (602) 463-2650.