Prevention of the consumption of illicit drugs from the perspective of families and significant others to illicit drug users

ABSTRACT

This research described the perspective of family members and significant others to illicit drug users regarding illicit drug use prevention initiatives. A descriptive quantitative study was developed in a local health care center in an inner city of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 100 adults were interviewed, who considered themselves as personally affected by having a family member or significant who has been or is a user of illicit drugs. Data capture was standardized through a form developed in the EpiData program, and analyzed using descriptive statistics with the support of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®). Results pointed different prevention initiatives and the institutions that should be responsible for them. For preventive actions to be successful, they must be intersectoral and involve community and families.

KEYWORDS:

• Illicit drugs
• care
• family
• significant others
• prevention initiatives