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Court Involved Youth
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What are the early signs of risk that may predict later drug abuse?
Some signs of risk can be seen as early as infancy. Children’s personality traits or temperament can place them at increased risk for later drug abuse. Withdrawn and aggressive boys, for example, often exhibit problem behaviors in interactions with their families, peers, and others they encounter in social settings. If these behaviors continue, they will likely lead to other risks. These risks can include academic failure, early peer rejection, and later affiliation with deviant peers, often the most immediate risk for drug abuse in adolescence. Studies have shown that children with poor academic per performance and inappropriate social behavior at ages 7 to 9 are more likely to be involved with substance abuse by age 14 or 15. In the Family Children’s earliest interactions occur within the family and can be positive or negative. For this reason, factors that affect early development in the family are probably the most crucial. Children are more likely to experience risk when there is: ● lack of mutual
attachment and nurturing by parents or caregivers; These experiences, especially the abuse of drugs and other substances by parents and other caregivers, can impede bonding to the family and threaten feelings of security that children need for healthy development. On the other hand, families can serve a protective function when there is: ● a strong bond between
children and their families: Finally, critical or sensitive periods in development may heighten the importance of risk or protective factors. For example, mutual attachment and bonding between parents and children usually occurs in infancy and early childhood. If it fails to occur during those developmental stages, it is unlikely that a strong positive attachment will develop later in the child’s life. Outside the Family Other risk factors relate to the quality of children’s relationships in settings outside the family, such as in their schools, with their peers, teachers, and in the community. Difficulties in these settings can be crucial to a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development. Some of these risk factors are: ● inappropriate classroom
behavior, such as aggression and impulsivity; Association with drug-abusing peers is often the most immediate risk for exposing adolescents to drug abuse and delinquent behavior. Research has shown, however, that addressing such behavior in interventions can be challenging. For example, recent study (Dishion et al. 2002) found that placing high-risk youth in a peer group intervention resulted in negative outcomes. Current research is exploring the role that adults and positive peers can play in helping to avoid such outcomes in future interventions. Other factors – such as drug availability, drug trafficking patters, and beliefs that drug abuse is generally tolerated – are also risks that can influence young people to start to abuse drugs. Family has an important role in providing protection for children when they are involved in activities outside the family. When children are outside the family setting, the most salient protective factors are: ● age-appropriate
parental monitoring of social behavior, including establishing curfews, For more information on drug abuse contact: Sinnissippi Centers Inc Alan Singer, Area
Office Supervisor
What are the highest risk periods for drug abuse among youth? Research has shown that the key risk periods for drug abuse occur during major transitions in children’s lives. These transitions include significant changes in physical development (for example, puberty) or social situations (such as moving or parents divorcing) when children experience heightened vulnerability for problem behaviors. The first big transition for children is when they leave the security of the family and enter school. Later, when they advance from elementary school to middle or junior high school, they often experience new academic and social situations, such as learning to get along with a wider group of peers and having greater expectations for academic performance. It is at this stage – early adolescence – that children are likely to encounter drug abuse for the first time. Then, when they enter high school, young people face additional social, psychological, and educational challenges. At the same time, they may be exposed to greater availability of drugs, drug abusers, and social engagements involving drugs. These challenges can increase the risk that they will abuse alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. A particularly challenging situation in late adolescence is moving away from home for the first time without parental supervision, perhaps to attend college or other schooling. Substance abuse, particularly of alcohol, remains a major public health problem for college populations. When young adults enter the workforce or marry, they again confront new challenges and stressors that may place them at risk for alcohol and other drug abuse in their adult environments. But these challenges can also be protective when they present opportunities for young people to grow and pursue future goals and interests. Research has shown that these new lifestyles can serve as protective factors as the new roles become more important than being involved with drugs. Risks appear at every transition from early childhood through young adulthood; therefore, prevention planners need to consider their target audiences and implement programs that provide support appropriate for each developmental stage. They also need to consider how the protective factors involved in these transitions can be strengthened. For more information on drug abuse contact: Sinnissippi Centers Inc Alan Singer, Area
Office Supervisor
When and how does drug abuse start and progress? Studies such as the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, formerly called the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, indicate that some children are already abusing drugs by age 12 or 13, which likely means that some may begin even earlier. Early abuse includes such drugs as tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, and psychotherapeutic drugs. If drug abuse persists into later adolescence, abusers typically become more involved with marijuana and then advance to other illegal drugs, while continuing their abuse of tobacco and alcohol. Studies have also shown that early initiation of drug abuse is associated with greater drug involvement, whether with the same or different drugs. Note, however, that both one-time and long-term surveys indicate that most youth do not progress to abusing other drugs. But among those who do progress, their drug abuse history can vary by neighborhood drug availability, demographic groups, and other characteristics of the abuser population. In general, the pattern of abuse is associated with levels of social disapproval, perceived risk, and the availability of drugs in the community. Scientists have proposed several hypotheses as to why individuals first become involved with drugs and then escalate to abuse. One explanation is a biological cause, such as having a family history of drug or alcohol abuse, which may genetically predispose a person to drug abuse. Another explanation is that starting to abuse a drug may lead to affiliation with more drug-abusing peers which, in turn, exposes the individual to other drugs. Indeed, many factors may be involved. Different patterns of drug initiation have been identified based on gender, race or ethnicity, and geographic location. For example, research has found that the circumstances in which young people are offered drugs can depend on gender. Boys generally receive more drug offers and at younger ages. Initial drug abuse can also be influenced by where drugs are offered, such as parks, streets, schools, homes, or parties. Additionally, drugs may be offered by different people including, for example, siblings, friends, or even parents. While most youth do not progress beyond initial use, a small percentage rapidly escalate their substance abuse. Researchers have found that these youth are the most likely to have experienced a combination of high levels of risk factors with low levels of protective factors. These adolescents were characterized by high stress, low parental support, and low academic competence. However, there are protective factors that can suppress the escalation to substance abuse. These factors include self-control, which tends to inhibit problem behavior and often increases naturally as children mature during adolescence. In addition, protective family structure, individual personality, and environmental variables can reduce the impact of serious risks of drug abuse. Preventive interventions can provide skills and support to high-risk youth to enhance levels of protective factors and prevent escalation to drug abuse. For more information on drug abuse contact: Sinnissippi Centers Inc Alan Singer, Area
Office Supervisor
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