Preventing Substance Abuse Among Children and Adolescents: Family-Centered Approaches, Practioner's Guide

• NCJ Number: 199499
• Editor(s): Prakash L. Grover Ph.D.
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 83 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Corporate Author: Birch and Davis Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This practitioner’s guide presents three family-centered prevention approaches designed to prevent substance abuse among children and adolescents.

Abstract

The guide promotes the necessity of family-centered approaches by explaining that school- and community-based substance abuse prevention programs are not sufficient when it comes to reducing drug use among American youth. According to the Monitoring the Future Study, illicit substance abuse among adolescents increased significantly between 1991 and 1996. Statistics are offered for substance abuse among eighth-grade, tenth-grade, and high school students. After a brief discussion about which factors put children and adolescents at risk for substance abuse, the guide presents three family-centered prevention approaches. Approach one, Parent and Family Skills Training, presents parenting skills to help families nurture and protect their children from harmful influences. The activities suggested include role-playing, skills practice sessions, and cognitive-behavioral workshops. Approach two, Family In-Home Support, targets at-risk families and includes intensive and comprehensive services to help stabilize families. The main goals of In-Home Support are to decrease the likelihood of family violence and/or child neglect. Approach three, Family Therapy, helps family members develop interpersonal and communication skills that improve family dynamics. Recommendations include that the therapist should understand the cultural values, beliefs, and traditions of the families they serve. The guide also offers some general recommendations for practicing family-centered approaches. The remainder of the guide discusses specific tasks, activities, and planning that should be undertaken to develop and implement family-centered prevention approaches. This guide is the second in a series; also offered in the series is a comprehensive reference guide and a community guide in brochure form.