NCJ Number
63146
Journal
PROBATION OFFICER Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THROUGH ANALYSIS OF AN INTERVIEW WITH A YOUNG DRUG ABUSER, A PSYCHIATRIST SUGGESTS THAT DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION MUST BEGIN WITH POSITIVE PARENTAL INFLUENCES AND A LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD.
Abstract
CRIME PREVENTION, PARTICULARLY DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION, MUST BEGIN BEFORE THE CHILD'S BIRTH WITH THE TRAINING OF PARENTS IN EFFECTIVE AND LOVING WAYS TO BRING UP THEIR CHILDREN. DRUG ADDICTS FOR WHOM DRUGS FILL A NEED. THE YOUNG ABUSER INTERVIEWED CAME FROM A CONFLICT-RIDDEN HOME. THE FATHER EVENTUALLY LEFT THE HOME, AND THE BOY FOLLOWED THE FATHER'S EXAMPLE BY WITHDRAWING THROUGH DRUGS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT MANY ISSUES RELATING TO CRIME PREVENTION ARE REVEALED IN THIS SITUATION. CHILDREN WHO HAD NOT EXPERIENCED LOVE IN THE HOME HAVE A LIFELONG FEELING OF SELF-DOUBT AND ANXIETY ABOUT THEIR WORTH AND LOVABILITY. AS THEY GROW, THEY BEGIN TO IMITATE THE PARENTS' BEHAVIOR PATTERNS. IF THE PARENTS FIGHT, DRINK, AND SWEAR, THE CHILDREN WILL ADOPT THIS BEHAVIOR. CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO ADULT ROLE MODEL IN THE HOME ALSO FREQUENTLY TURN TO DRUGS. PLAY BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT DEVELOPS IN CHILDREN THE FEELING THEY ARE WORTHWHILE. POSITIVE BEHAVIOR IN SCHOOL MUST LIKEWISE BE REINFORCED, AND EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO OVERCOME APPARENT LEARNING DIFFICULTIES. IF CHILDREN BELIEVE THEY ARE FAILURES IN SCHOOL, THEY WILL BE TRUANT. PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND OTHERS MUST WORK TO BUILD FEELINGS OF SELF-WORTH IN YOUTH; SUCH EFFORTS WILL PROVE TO BE A MOST EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION MEASURE. (LWM)