RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE: A PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION

This work aims to bring elements regarding the prevention strategy for experimentation with alcohol and other drugs by children and adolescents.It was a work in partnership with the Public Ministry of Sorocaba and the Education Department of the region, with the aim of researching the prevention of abusive use of alcohol and other drugs by children and adolescents.The Experience Report method was used, through field recording during the work of the psychologist-researcher in a school located in a highly vulnerable neighborhood with a strong presence of drug trafficking.The study took place for 2 years, in which around 500 children/adolescents were attended in conversation circles.Among the results, it was observed that a portion of this group used to have contact with alcohol and tobacco at first within the family environment, followed by marijuana, also within the family environment and close friends, followed by other drugs.Some protective factors for not using them stand out, in which it was observed from the speeches of children/adolescents who did not use them, that parents and their disapproval of their use, as well as possible retaliation and punitive actions if used by parents, ended up being observed as a form of prevention against trying them, signaling the family relationship as a possible factor in preventing use.