Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse – 2011
Guidelines for youth substance abuse prevention teams on the development and implementation of family skills programming. Discusses family factors that affect youth substance abuse. Lists risk and protective factors, noting that children with substance-dependent parents (or other family members) are often exposed to violence, abuse, and unhealthy patterns of substance use. These children are more likely to develop substance use and mental health problems. Intervention for substance-dependent family members is an important factor in youth substance use prevention. Provides an overview of the key components of effective family skills programs. Summarizes the guidelines for Canadian youth substance abuse prevention family skills programs. Guidelines cover such areas as cultural competence, clarification of needs and objectives, development of program theory, establishment of program context, facilitator training, recruitment of participants, implementation of evidence-based programming, participant retention, and program evaluation. Includes a suggested outline of content for family skills programs. Appendix includes resources for further information.