Drugs: why does it happen?

Young people use drugs for many reasons that have to do with how they feel about themselves, how they get along with others, and how they live.

No one factor determines who will use drugs and who will not, but there are some predictors and key risk factors:

Low grades or poor school performance;
Aggressive, rebellious behaviour;
Excessive influence by peers;
Lack of parental support and guidance; a chaotic home life
Behaviour problems at an early age.
Parental drug use
Low socio-economic status
Poor social skills

It is important to distinguish between experimental and problem drug use. Only a very small proportion of young people who experiment go on to develop problem drug use.

Researchers and practitioners assign a crucial role to the family in the development or prevention of drug-related behaviours. The family is seen to exercise influence in a variety of ways:

Close family relationships.

Parents have a very powerful influence as role models for their children, who tend to follow what their parents do rather than what they say. The closeness of the parent-child bond is found to protect against problem drug use by encouraging mutual parent-child trust, effective communication, positive self-perception and choice of friends. Poor communication, poorly defined or stated expectations of behaviour and inconsistent or harsh discipline can all predict substance misuse.

Family management.

Parenting skills tend to be passed on down the generations. Parents who lack effective management skills are less well equipped to deal with family crises, to reward or punish appropriately, to develop positive social behaviours in their children or to protect them from negative influences.

Parental supervision.

Parents knowing where their children are and what they are doing can delay or prevent the onset of drug use. The influence of this supervision can be direct in keeping children away from drugs, or indirect by reducing contact with drug-using peers.