FAMILY A FACTOR IN DRUG USE: SURVEY

Teenagers able to confide in a parent, relative, teacher or adult friend
are more likely to resist the lure of drugs and harmful behavior, a study
has found.

A survey of more than 9000 Victorian teenagers has revealed as the highest
risk factors for drug abuse poor family management or discipline, an
atmosphere of family conflict - too much yelling and abuse - and the ready
availability of drugs.

But the teenagers identified the most positive protective factors were
opportunities for positive community involvement (such as participation in
sports teams), parental rewards for good behavior, and support for ethical
values such as honesty.

Dr John Toumbourou, associate professor at the University of Melbourne's
Centre for Adolescent Health, told the Drug Summit 2000 conference in
Sydney yesterday that the survey included students from years 7, 9 and 11
in 194 schools.

The survey was based on teenagers' answers to to questionnaires prepared
for the Department of Human Services by the Centre for Adolescent Health,
which works with the Royal Children's Hospital and Melbourne University.

Titled Improving the Lives of Young Victorians in our Community: A Survey
of Risk and Protective Factors, the database has been used to adjust a
successful US program that offers locally based early intervention and
prevention strategies. The Communities that Care program has been adopted
in municipalities throughout Victoria and will be trialled in Western
Australia.

Dr Toumbourou told the conference the study revealed a direct relationship
between antisocial behaviors and substance abuse such as under-age drinking
and smoking of tobacco and marijuana. He said specialist education programs
and early intervention programs could help to build resilience in teenagers.