Experts and specialists emphasized the critical role parents play in supporting their sons through the challenges of drug abuse, highlighting six key aspects essential to their involvement.
Parental Role in Addressing Drug Abuse
These insights were shared during the Drug Prevention Forum held in Dubai under the patronage of Lt. General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Chairman of the Drug Control Council. The forum introduced a comprehensive "Parents’ Guide to Drug Abuse Prevention," underscoring parental guidance as pivotal in the success of treatment and rehabilitation efforts for adolescent substance users.
The first aspect stressed was honesty, urging parents to openly acknowledge their awareness of their son’s drug involvement and initiate a collaborative approach to addressing the issue together. Firmness was identified as the second aspect, emphasizing the family's unequivocal stance against drug use and the necessity for cessation, communicated clearly and decisively to the son.
Support emerged as the third aspect, emphasizing parents’ commitment to offering unwavering assistance and standing by their son throughout his journey to recovery. The guide underscored the importance of considering the son's feelings as the fourth aspect, cautioning against behavior that could alienate him or drive him further into denial and isolation. Effective communication with addiction treatment centers formed the fifth aspect, ensuring prompt access to treatment and enhancing recovery prospects.
Following treatment completion, ongoing parental involvement in integration and rehabilitation programs constituted the sixth and final aspect, crucial for sustained recovery and reintegration into daily life. Experts highlighted the significance of Article 80 of Federal Law No. 30 of 2021, which supports individuals seeking voluntary treatment for substance use by exempting them from criminal prosecution if they present themselves before arrest or issuance of an arrest warrant.
Effective communication with treatment centers
Moreover, specialists emphasized the benefits of the Strong Family Program, a preventive initiative aimed at enhancing family cohesion and fostering positive communication, especially among those at risk of substance abuse. The program includes activities designed to strengthen emotional bonds, establish family rituals that promote happiness, and cultivate respectful communication through active listening and constructive feedback techniques.
The forum also underscored the UAE’s commitment to providing comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation facilities, ensuring privacy and confidentiality for individuals seeking recovery. This commitment reflects the state’s proactive approach to supporting drug users in reintegrating as productive members of society.
The forum provided a robust framework for parental involvement in addressing adolescent drug abuse, emphasizing proactive communication, emotional support, and collaboration with treatment services. By implementing these strategies outlined in the Parents’ Guide and supporting initiatives like the Strong Family Program, parents can play a crucial role in preventing substance abuse and promoting healthy family dynamics in the UAE.
