The international study involved 4,000 teenagers in England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. The participants were questioned about their use of marijuana, amphetamines, ecstasy, LSD, tranquilizers, and alcohol. In addition, the teens were asked to complete questionnaires that asked about their relationships with their parents and grandparents, the extent of their supervision after school, and whether they were allowed to meet friends at home.

The researchers determined that the rate of alcohol and other drug use among teens living with both parents and having a good relationship with their mother was 16.6 percent. If either factor was missing, the rate increased to 32 percent.

The study further showed that more than 42 percent of teens living with one parent and lacking a strong relationship with their mother used alcohol or other drugs.

"These findings suggest that living with both parents may inhibit drug use, but only if availability through peer networks is not very high," said Dr Paul McArdle, of Newcastle University in northern England, who led the study. "They also suggest that attachment, particularly to mothers, is a more potent inhibitor, and that this is truly across cultures and substances."

McArdle further added that the study shows that "the quality of family life, or rather the lack of it for many young people, is at the core of the drugs problem in Western society."

The study is published in the March 2002 edition of the journal Addiction.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.
   
   
2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.