Although a wide variety of studies have been emphasizing risk factors on drug use, it has not been given importance to protective factors' role, a fundamental key on development of prevention programs. As low socio-economic level are considered risk factors, the aim of this study was to investigate, among low purchasing power adolescents, factors that could prevent them against drug consumption. To reach this aim, qualitative methodology and a purposeful sample achieved by criteria were adopted. Sixty-two young people, users and non-users of drug, were submitted to interview. Amongst the protective factors, the familiar structure and religiosity were the most frequently reported by interviewees. Concerning on religious beliefs, it was observed the following results: 81% of the non-users believe and practices a religion; amongst users, only 13% of them had the same behavior as non-users, assigning to the religion practice a way to leave drugs. It may be concluded that religion is a relevant protector factor for the studied sample, acting as familiar structure support and as an important source of information.
Religiosity; Drugs; Prevention; Adolescents
