The Australian Family, November 2002, p. 46
Drug-Proofing Our Children
Glenn Williams is a psychologist and CEO of Focus on the Family Australia.
Research shows that parents and families have an important role in helping steer their children away from using illegal drugs (marijuana, heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, etc) and abusing legal drugs (alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs). In other words, the risk factors for teenage drug use are significantly reduced where parents are better informed as to how to discuss the issue, and aware of what resources and strategies are available to them.
Understanding that there is a wide spectrum of drug use ranging from those who abstain to those who become dependent, it is vital that parents are equipped with appropriate skills and information to know best how to address this issue with their children at that point.
To merely tell young people to stop using drugs when they are already a casual or dependent user is naive. Similarly, to inform young people that all they have to do is say "no" when confronted with an opportunity to get involved in drugs is often also naive. These two positions do not recognise many of the psychosocial and health issues present.
However, parents are an important part of the equation no matter where the young person falls on the continuum. A 1999 report released by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia Universty surveyed 2,000 young people aged between 12 and 17, and 1,000 parents.1 Some of their findings include:
Other research also reveals that high levels of parent-family connectedness and greater frequency of parental presence in the home protect adolescents from drug use. For example, the PRIDE prevention program (for youth and parents) over five years revealed a continuous decrease in the use of all substances by almost all age groups).2
When drug prevention lessons for children were completed at home with parents, results showed that the children reported significantly less perceived peer use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. They also felt significantly less peer pressure to experiment with cigarettes. Mothers and fathers reported significantly more recent and frequent communication with their children about refusing drugs and resisting peer pressure. Fathers also reported significantly greater motivation to help their children avoid drug use.3
If you mean, "can parents stop their children from trying tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs?," the answer is NO!
If you mean, "can parents be more effective at influencing their children's choices in relation to drug use?," the answer is YES!
Unfortunately, no guarantee can be given to parents who complete drug education and awareness programs that their children will not use illegal drugs or abuse legal drugs. However, research shows that helping parents to be better informed, better equipped to communicate with their children on drug issues and by giving parents practical skills to strengthen family relationships there is less likelihood that their children will use drugs. These practical skills must also help a parent know how to intervene if they believe their child is using drugs, no matter where they fall on the continuum.
The reality is, risk-taking behaviour is a normal part of adolescent behaviour, which sometimes means using drugs. Although some children may smoke, drink or experiment with other illicit drugs and get through it reasonably unscathed: There are some who don't – and this is what concerns every parent.
Research worldwide demonstrates very clearly that where parents are actually involved in the lives of their children, they are less likely to engage in the harmful use of drugs. This is true in single-parent homes as well. Children who have only one parent taking the time to get involved are less likely to use drugs than children who come from two-parent families where the father is distant and not involved.
How does a parent reduce the likelihood of their child being harmed by drug use?
1. Examine their own attitudes, beliefs and behaviour to avoid conflicting messages communicated
2. Help their child establish boundaries and reinforce them
3. Help their child build a strong self-esteem
4. Help their child know the truth about drugs
5. Develop strong social and communication skills in their child
6. Help their child choose the right friends
7. Recognise symptoms of drug use
8. Know what they can do no matter how little they think their child is using drugs
9. Don't abandon their children or put them down when they do something you don't disagree with
10. Talk to other parents and professionals who can help, rather than try and cope alone
Even if a parent carries out all of the above, there is no guarantee that their child won't use drugs. However, by being better informed and aware of drug use and its consequences, and feeling confident in talking to their children about it, parents have a far better chance of helping their children make good choices and reducing potential harm.
Many parents try their best - let's support them and educate them, not criticise them!
1. "Back to School 1999 - National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse V: Teens and Their Parents", Conducted by The Luntz Research Companies and QEV Analytics, August 1999. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, New York, USA.
2. Adams, R., "The PRIDE Survey", Western Kentucky University, 1989 - as reported in "Prevention Programmes for Parents: Research Findings", Life Education International.
3. Werch, C.E; et al. "Effects of a Take-Home Drug Prevention Program on Drug-Related Communication and Beliefs of Parents and Children", Journal of School Health; 61 (8): 346-350; 1991 - as reported in "Prevention Programmes for Parents: Research Findings", Life Education International.