Tips to Prevent Drug Abuse
Prevention is always better than cure. This universal principle of physical well being is applicable in the case of prevention of drug abuse. Studies have shown that certain risk factors to which an individual is exposed to during childhood, could lead to narcotic abuse during adolescence or early adulthood. To prevent drug abuse, as a parent it is your responsibility to protect your child from traumas, which could later lead to drug abuse.
Risk Factors
Drug abuse generally doesn’t start all of a sudden. However, gradual interaction with certain risk factors creates the ground for future narcotic abuse. Erratic behavior, aggressiveness and lack of self-control since early childhood are some prominent risk factors, which would lead to drug abuse later in life. Lack of bond between parents and children, poor or bad parenting and drug abuse among parents are factors responsible for drug abuse.
Narcotic abuse largely starts during the first major transition in an individual’s life, when he/she leaves the security of home to enter a larger world. This might occur when an individual enters high school or college. The social environment of the educational institution, pressure from a wider peer group and new educational challenges, would lead to narcotic abuse. It has been seen that despite the new found independence of early adult life, some intervention from parents and educators would help to overcome problems encountered during this phase of life.
Preventing Drug Abuse
The role of family is extremely important in preventing drug abuse. If you want to prevent your child from becoming a victim of drug abuse later in life, develop a strong bonding with your child. Effective parenting skill should be developed. Always keep in touch with your children. A healthy communication and supportive mechanism would help your child to become a confident adult.
Always praise your children for the right behavior and moderately chide him/her for inappropriate activities. Parental discipline is as important as disciplining your child. Family discussions on ill effects of drug abuse should be encouraged.
School programs to educate students about the bad effects of drug abuse, can start even from the preschool days. Academic support should be given to enhance reading, learning and communication skills. In middle and high school anti drug activities should be further strengthened.
