“RISK AND

PROTECTIVE
FACTORS
IN THE USE,MISUSE,
AND ABUSE OF
DRUGS
 Risk factors are
those influences
which increase the
chances of using,
misusing
and abusing drugs.

RISK FACTORS
Protective factors, on the other
hand, are those influences
which decrease the chances of
using, misusing and abusing
drugs.

PROTECTIVE FACTORS
 •PERSONAL
•FAMILY
•PEERS AND FRIENDS
•SCHOOL
•COMMUNITY

THESE FACTORS ARE COMPOSED

OF INFLUENCES IN DIFFERENT
DOMAIN IN LIFE :
RISK FACTORS  PROTECTIVE FACTORS
 Use of drugs at an early age
Risk taking behavior  Self-control behavior
 Good reasoning skills
Experimentation
 Excellent social skills
Poor social skills and
interaction Positive interaction
Childhood problems with people
Feelings of isolation
Sense of belonging

PERSONAL (Early Aggressive

Behavior vs. Self-control)
RISK FACTORS PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Good communication with
History and patterns of people
drug use Positive family relationship
 Attitudes toward drug Clear and consistent family
use rules
Poor parenting and child Strong family values
rearing Positive expectation to child’s
Inconsistent family rules success in family,
Poor family values school and community
Poor family ties Reliance on family for
emotional support
FAMILY (Weak Parental Guidance
vs. Strong Parental Guidance)
RISK FACTORS PROTECTIVE FACTORS
 Association with  Association with peers
peers and friends and friends who do not use
known to use gateway gateway drugs
drugs (cigarettes and Formation of friendships
alcohol)  Reliance on friends for
Preference to stay emotional support
 Inviting friends at home
with peers and friends
to know the family
than with family

PEERS AND FRIENDS

(Substance Abuse vs.
Academic Excellence
RISK FACTORS PROTECTIVE
FACTORS
Poor academic Good to excellent
performance academic performance
Lack of commitment to
studies Joins extra-curricular
 Poor attendance in activities and school
school organizations
 Involvement in fights and Shows interest in
conflicts attending classes

SCHOOL (Availability of Drugs

vs. Strong Anti-Drug Policies)
RISK FACTORS PROTECTIVE FACTORS
 Easy access to  Strong community
gateway drugs relationships
 Poor community  Active and positive
organization and community programs,
neighborhood projects and activities for the
relationship youth
 Poor implementation
of community laws  Positive attitude which
 Negative attitudes combat drug use
which favor drug use  Strong community advocacy
against drugs
COMMUNITY (Poverty vs. Strong
Community Relationship)