It's like a giant learn-in if you will. One way to think about protective factors is to think about all the relationships that young people are supposed to have. When they are not connected to the community, institutions like the church the school. It's not just the classroom either. Sports, plays, field trips are all important.
Kids get bored.
I ask kids why people are interested in drugs and they tell me because kids are bored. If parents, schools, communities and friends all give them the same message that protects kids. Kids will tell you that school is boring. They see friends using drugs and seeming to do okay. When their communities, parents and friends all rally to them, kids know who they are and feel good about themselves.