Reselience in Vulnerable Zones: A Study of Protective Factors in Drug Free Communities

Substance or drug abuse remains one of the most critical threats to national well-being.A key factor contributing to the failure of maintaining abstinence among affected individuals is the lack of social support from the surrounding community.Furthermore, most existing prevention models are adopted from Western contexts, which often do not align with the local cultural and social realities in Malaysia.This highlights the urgent need to explore alternative, locally grounded strategies that incorporate protective and spiritual elements practiced within resilient Malaysian communities.This study aims to investigate and identify the protective and spiritual factors embedded within communities that have successfully remained drug-free despite residing in high-risk areas.Through in-depth interviews conducted with community leaders, youths, youth leaders, and spiritual leaders, this research explores the resilience and preventative practices upheld by these individuals and groups.The findings of this study contribute to the development of a psychospiritual-based prevention module that is culturally relevant and rooted in Malaysian values and community practices.These emerging themes serve as a foundation for conceptualizing a prevention model that can be applied to other communities at risk.