ABSTRACT
To seek uniform answers to questions about individual drug-related behavior is an unrealistic goal. For each youngster taking the “drug route” there are an infinite variety of variables, such as personal motivation for using drugs, and beliefs held concerning the personal short and long range psychological and physiological effects of drugs on himself (herself) and society. These variables are complex and individually unique. Behavioral scientists have claimed that “we must keep constantly in mind that individual behavior is determined by his motives and by his beliefs regardless of whether the motives and beliefs correspond to our notion of reality or our own notion of what is good for him [1].” If one accepts this hypothesis, then surely the foundation(s) upon which each person perceives his world of reality, becomes central to the concept of parental influence and effectiveness in directing the basic behavior patterns of their child(ren).
