STAGE 5. Defining the action plan

What steps should be completed?

Step 1: Specify intervention actions

INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE PARENTING SKILLS (CHILD-REARING AND EDUCATION)*

Family-based universal prevention programmes are effective in preventing consumption of alcohol and other drugs by young people and, although their effects are limited, they persist in the medium to long term.

These interventions can also achieve long periods of reduced substance use in the framework of selective prevention targeted at more vulnerable children or children with multiple risk factors.

This type of programme is cost-effective and achieves significant long-term improvements in family functioning (parenting skills, and child education and behaviour).

The following features^1,2 are associated with this mode of intervention functioning well or poorly (lack of effects or negative effects):

GOOD FUNCTIONING

POOR FUNCTIONING

Improving family bonds, communication and parental supervision. Teaching parents to play a more active role in their children's lives. Teaching parents how to apply appropriate discipline to the needs of their children. Reinforcing parents’ roles as models for their children. Making it easier for parents to get involved in the programme (activities outside working hours, child care, incentives, etc.). Including at least 10 sessions (or more if targeted at vulnerable families or parents undergoing treatment for addiction). Including activities for the whole family, not just the parents or children. Being administered by people who have received specific training.  Using interactive teaching methods. Helping parents identify their own solutions Taking the cultural and community context into account.

Undermining parental authority. Using only passive strategies, such as taught classes, talks and conferences. Simply providing information about drugs and their risks to parents for them to talk to their children. Focusing only on the children. Being administered by people who have not been trained to carry out the intervention.

 

* Based on International Standards on Drug Use Prevention (UNODC): 

 

References:

1 Bühler A & Kröger C. (2008). The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Insights. Prevention of substance abuse. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

2 Kumpfer KL & Alvarado R. (2003). Family-strengthening approaches for the prevention of youth problem behaviors. The American Psychologist. 58: 457-465.