Die gesin se rol in die voorkoming van adolessente se middelemisbruik : 'n maatskaplikewerk-perspektief

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During the researcher's work at the South African National Council for Alcohol andDrug Dependence (SANCA), based at the Paarl-office, it was obvious that adolescentsubstance abuse was growing into a huge governmental concern. During the first halfof 2004 the average age of patients at drug rehabilitation centres who used crystalmethamphetamine (streetname: tik-tik) as their primary substance of abuse werebetween the ages of 15-19 years. Crystal methamphetamine is the latest drug that hastaken the Western Cape by storm. It is obvious that the root of the problem is notbeing addressed since the number of adolescents abusing drugs seems to increaserather than decrease.The goal and aims of the study focuses on the factors contributing to adolescentsubstance abuse, parenting styles and -roles that contribute to adolescent substanceabuse, and providing guidelines to social workers regarding the role of the family inthe prevention of adolescent substance abuse. Adolescents have to deal with the newchanges that occur, together with aspects such as, peer pressure, negative self-image,irresponsibility by the community and parents, poor parent-child relationships as wellas socio-cultural variables that often lead tot substance abuse. Parents were found tobe the role-models for their children and their parents' values, attitudes and behaviourregarding alcohol and/or drugs influence the values, attitudes and behaviour of theirchildren. Therefore it seems that parents are primarily responsible for the preventionof adolescent substance abuse and the research study aims at providing facilitationskills on prevention strategies to social workers in order to successfully startingprevention of adolescent substance abuse. The quality of a family-system seems tohave an important influence on adolescents in their growing up years, sinceadolescents experience a variety of changes and have to learn how to handle andaccept these changes.During the literature study it was found that a negative family environment andnegative experiences contribute to negative behaviour of adolescents, because thefamily is the primary unit where children learn their values, attitudes and processesthat regulate their actions throughout their lives. A paradigm shift should be facilitated by social workers on maintaining healthyfamily relationships regarding the prevention of adolescent substance abuse.Supportive family-centred services therefore provide the best in adolescents' positivedevelopment, as well as identifying the most important needs of adolescents.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University