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4.5 BENEFITS AND POSSIBLE ADAPTATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION IN THE
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tobacco, alcohol and drug use into relative untapped markets.” A relatively new drug on the market known as a ‘zombie drug’ or flakka that has been recently introduced in South Africa. This new deadly drug flakka that entered Europe, USA and Japan at an alarming rate about six years ago and has recently hit the South African streets. Side effects of this dangerous drug are reported to cause intoxications, seizures, extreme paranoia and even death (Katselou et al., 2016). Families need to be made aware of this so that they can become more resilient and better equipped to confront such challenges that threaten the future of young people in South Africa in a global world.
Positive family relationships have been identified as a key protective factor against young people’s misuse of substances such as alcohol and tobacco (Segrott et al., 2014). Prevention interventions which promote family values and positive family relationships therefore have the potential to make a significant impact on the health, wellbeing and future of adolescents (Segrott et al., 2014).
Parents are spending less time with their children because of the worldwide economic crisis that has resulted in them working more hours, leaving parents with little time to spend with their children. Even simple tasks like sharing family meals have declined which has a negative impact on the lives of adolescents as they no longer feel that sense of belonging which was traditionally provided by the family (Kumpfer, 2014). This apparent search for a sense of belonging outside the home may expose young people to risky behaviours such as substance abuse (Kumpfer, 2014).
With parents working long hours and most young people moving away from home to learning institutions, parents can no longer provide the appropriate guidance and discipline to their children like they should (Chesang, 2013). This decline in parental care leaves young people with little guidance and supervision which often places them at the risk of substance abuse and other problem behaviours.
Programmes that strengthen families provide parenting skills that can assist parents to set strict rules and guidelines on aspects such as discipline methods, pocket money (allowance) as well as introducing curfews if they want their children to grow up to be productive adults. Consistent parenting is very important hence both parents need to agree on effective ways of raising their children. Programmes that strengthen families are of utmost important as both parents can attend and learn about appropriate parenting skills together and at the same time strengthen their own (husband/wife/partner) bonds as well as bonds with their children. When parenting methods are
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more consistent, there will be less conflict within the family structure itself and between the parents. Kumpfer therefore maintains that there is strong evidence suggesting that family-based skills training programmes often result in positive outcomes among participants (Kumpfer, 2014).
What is noteworthy about family-based prevention programmes is that they not only benefit one or certain members of the family but the whole family including extended family members all at once. They also tackle a lot of other issues apart from the substance abuse problem. Kumpfer (2014) asserts that family-based programmes have a good impact on both the child and the parent as it promotes positive family relationships. He therefore maintains that such positive family relationships impact positively on the parent’s productivity at work and the child’s productivity at school. Healthy family life also impacts on good mental and physical functioning of the family members and their ability to reach their desired goals (Kumpfer, 2014). Family-based prevention programmes enhance positive outcomes by providing education and skills training to young people. It promotes positive youth development by teaching parents positive parenting skills and reinforcing factors that promote the parent/child bond, communication skills as well as effective parental supervision and discipline (Kumpfer, 2014). The advantage of family-based prevention programmes is that they are community based which fosters respect for cultural values as they take place in a familiar household environment. At the same time, they offer good opportunities for families to bond and socialise.
Studies have shown that parents who possess positive parenting skills tend to have children who are independent, sociable, cooperative and self-confident (Griffin, Samuolis and Williams, 2010;
Kim-Spoon, Farley and Holmes, 2014; Kumpfer, 2014; Jones, 2015; Telzer, Gonzales and Fuligni, 2013; Luk et al.,2010). These aspects of positive parenting include positive discipline methods, positive response to their children’s needs and involving their children in setting family rules (Orte et al., 2015). Conversely parents that display negative parenting styles such as lack of affection and support for their children tend to have children with emotional and behavioural disorders such as aggression, depression and anxiety (Orte, et al., 2015). Evaluations of the SFP have consistently demonstrated favourable results in reducing substance use or abuse among young people. Young people participating in the programme have displayed lower average use of alcohol and tobacco and parents participating in the programme displayed better parenting skills, more effective
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communication skills and better parental supervision (Bröning et al., 2014). SFP can be can be classified as a model programme in comparison with other substance abuse prevention programmes in the US (Orte et al., 2015). This is supported by Orte et al, who explains that the SFP was classified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a model programme.
From the above submissions it is clear that family-based prevention programmes such as FSP (US and UK), FCP (Spain) and Familien Stärken (Germany), have been proven to have more effective outcomes and hence have gained more momentum in several countries than other programmes such as D.A.R.E. Family-based prevention programmes like SFP are highly recommended for the South African context provided that certain aspects are improved.