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These programs are particularly useful for families in which the parents themselves are addicted or have substance problems. In families with substance abusers, particularly alcoholics, there is a much higher risk of adolescent drug use for both biological and environmental reasons. Parents in these families need to learn how to reduce the chances of drug use among their children by first addressing their own use. A growing number of programs, including the Seattle-based Focus on Families, are trying to achieve that goal. Focus on Families is for heroin-addicted parents receiving methadone treatment and for their children. The goal is to reduce parents' use of illegal drugs by teaching them skills to prevent relapse. Parents also are given tools to help them better manage their families and the stresses that go along with family life. "Addicts who are parents have very little to offer as parents," says Kevin Haggerty, project director of Focus on Families. "This program is an attempt to help them and give them the skills they need." The Strengthening Families Program in Salt Lake City is a similar initiative. SFP seeks to reduce the risk of future substance abuse among the 6-to-10-year-old children of substance abusers. Originally focused solely on teaching parenting skills, it now includes a parent training program, a children's skills training program, and a family skills training program. "We work on improving parent-child relationships -- their time together, their communications patterns," says Kumpfer, who developed the program. Over a 14-week span, children and parents are trained separately during the first hour session. During the second hour, parents and children work together on developing better family living skills. "So far, I haven't run into a parent who didn't want to be a better parent," says Kumpfer. She has found that heroin-addicted or -abusing parents tend to abuse or neglect their children more, have unrealistic developmental expectations, and use excessive discipline. "These programs have to start with building a relationship," she says. One of the key goals is teaching parents to identify and reinforce good behaviors in kids. Although recruitment and retention are difficult with troubled families, Kumpfer has been able to attain an 80-85 percent retention rate by providing meals or snacks, transportation, and child care. Children also learn to be direct with their parents. Many would like to tell their parents to stop using drugs, but they just don't know how, says one caseworker. The program teaches those skills as well as how to resist peer pressure, handle anger, and cope with stressful situations.
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