INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL CARE ON PREVENTION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SABON GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE

This study investigated the influence of parental care on preventing substance abuse among adolescents in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State. Utilising a descriptive survey design, the research explores the relationship between the quality of parental care, specific parenting practices, and the likelihood of adolescent substance abuse. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The current estimated population in 2022, at a 2.5% annual increase, is 430,500 for Sabon-Gari. The sample size is three hundred and eighty-four (384). The instrument used for data collection is a structured questionnaire. The findings reveal that there is a significant relationship between specific parenting practices that are most effective in preventing substance abuse among adolescents in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State. Moreover, specific parenting practices, including setting clear expectations and consequences, regular family discussions on substance abuse, consistent reinforcement of positive behaviours, structured routines, and parental involvement in school and extracurricular activities, are identified as effective strategies in preventing substance abuse. The study recommends targeted interventions that leverage the positive influence of parental care on adolescent behaviour. These interventions could involve educational programs for parents, particularly mothers, focusing on enhancing parenting skills and fostering open communication about substance abuse risks. The findings also highlight the need for interventions tailored to the age and gender differences among adolescents, recognising that parental support may have a more significant impact on older adolescents. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on adolescent substance abuse prevention, offering a foundation for the development of evidence-based interventions in Sabon-Gari and similar communities.