Only a third of parents talk to their teens about the risks of drugs and alcohol, despite research showing that kids are less likely to use if parents have these conversations, according to the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.
And it's not just illegal drugs parents have to worry about their kids abusing, but also the over-the-counter and prescriptions drugs in their own medicine cabinets.
While many parents might like to believe that their kids know better, if that was actually the case there would be far less drug use among teens.
"The National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XI: Teens and Parents" reported in 2006 that while 80 percent of parents believe that alcohol and marijuana are not available at the parties their teens go to, 50 percent of teenage party-goers say they attend parties where drugs, alcohol or both are available.
This week's Moms Talk topic is: How do you open up the discussion on drugs with your teen? Do you rely on on health education classes? Is there an appropriate age to discuss the dangers of illegal drugs?
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