Certain drug-abuse prevention programs are counterproductive, such as inconsistent and incongruous media programs that glamorize the lives of drug-using celebrities or informational material that concurrently publicizes the use of legal drugs. Depersonalized drug education programs have also proved to be counterproductive. Assistance and rehabilitation programs for drug-dependent persons and programs for drug-abuse prevention among the young populations should be offered simultaneously to avoid being caught up in a "vicious circle of assistance," created by disinterest in prevention and unrealistic societal expectations. Associations of youth seeking spiritual values and helping drug addicts to stop taking drugs and achieve reintegration into society are among the most promising approaches, because they involve youth in helping their peers rather than promoting intervention by formal institutions. The family is another promising resource for the prevention and reduction of drug abuse. 10 references. (Author abstract modified)