Name two protective factors that reduce AOD harm for young people.

• A. Strong family support and constructive school engagement
• B. Weak family support and poor school engagement
• C. Access to more alcohol at parties
• D. Peer pressure to drink

Answer: (A)

Protective factors are things in a young person’s life that help them cope with challenges and reduce the risk of harm from alcohol and other drugs. Strong family support provides guidance, clear and consistent boundaries, and open communication, which helps youths make safer choices and seek help if problems arise. Constructive engagement at school offers a sense of belonging, positive relationships with teachers and peers, and meaningful activities, all of which create a supportive environment that discourages risky behavior and helps students resist peer pressure.

That’s why these two—strong family support and constructive school engagement—are the best choices. In contrast, weak family support and poor school engagement remove those supports and can increase vulnerability, while factors like easy access to alcohol at parties and peer pressure are more about risk environments than protective supports.