The role of parent’s commitment in preventing drug abuse: Evidence from high-risk areas of Malaysia

Abstract

Youth drug usage is caused by insufficient parental support. Lack of dedication, decreased communication and poor family connection describe inadequate family support. In addition to parental support, self-efficacy, employer support and community support have been shown to promote addiction and relapse. Substance addiction among youth is alarming and could harm the next generation if not handled. Thus, family and parents strongly impact teenage drug usage. Drug dependence prevention begins with parents. Parents affect their children by offering advice, setting explicit drug use restrictions and emphasizing good communication skills as part of their commitment. Thus, this study aims to determine the significance of family participation particularly parental involvement in reducing juvenile substance addiction in Malaysia. We use Hirshi's social bond theory to link a parent's willingness to participate in a drug prevention programme to their social bonding which includes their attachment, devotion and academic involvement. Additionally, proportionate sampling was used for stratified sampling. Two criteria were used to choose participants: parents with children aged 13–18 and drug-free families. The survey has 515 respondents, 103 per state: Kelantan, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur/Selangor, Johor and Sabah. NADA lists it in high-risk states. Study results indicate that attachment (ATT) and participation (INV) do not affect interest (INT). The study also found that commitment (COM) affects interest (INT). Additionally, the commitment (COM) f² value has a minor impact on interest (INT), an endogenous variable. Agencies must collaborate and exchange resources to promote drug awareness and a drug-free family culture.