Teens who do not use alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs are less likely to use them as adults. Efforts to prevent teen substance abuse should begin early in a child's life with drug education, encouragement of healthy behaviors, and good family communication. While teens are more likely to use alcohol or drugs if their parents do, a parent's attitudes towards substance use also influence teen behavior. Believing that parents will allow drug use increases the likelihood that the teen will try alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs.

Having positive self-esteem, supportive family relationships, and positive role models and learning communication and problem-solving skills all help teens gain confidence to make good choices.

By age 9, your child will have established an attitude toward substance use. Therefore, start early in helping your child develop the skills needed to avoid substance abuse. Try the following:

• Be a role model. As a parent, your attitude toward alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs is one of the greatest influences on whether your child will use cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol. Being a good role model is an excellent way to show your child and teen how to act responsibly. If you have a substance abuse problem, get appropriate help. If you quit, your teen is more likely to get help early if he or she starts abusing a substance.
• Share your beliefs. Children need to know what their parents believe about issues that are important. Even though they may not act like it, most children are greatly influenced by what their parents tell them. Use TV programs, news broadcasts, and other media as springboards for discussions about substance use. Talk with your teen about the effects of substances on physical growth, emotional development, school performance, and health. If you have a family history of substance use problems, talk with your teen about his or her increased risk for alcohol and drug use problems.
• Stay connected. Staying involved may be difficult during the teen years, because teens usually want privacy and independence. Provide adequate supervision, know your teen's friends, and know where your teen is at all times. Set times when the family is expected to be together, such as at mealtimes. Plan family outings or other family fun activities. Let your teen know that he or she is valued and contributes to the family.
• Be fair and consistent. Extremes of discipline are a risk factor for teen substance abuse. Set reasonable consequences for unacceptable behavior and consistently carry them out. Praise your teen for his or her accomplishments, and expect your teen to follow the household rules.
• Encourage activities. Keep your teen busy and engaged emotionally with meaningful activities, such as sports, church programs, or other group involvement. Teens who feel good about themselves are less likely to use alcohol and drugs.
• Get informed. Don't rely only on your own experiences or what you have heard. Educate yourself about the substances commonly abused by teens. There is a lot to learn, because so many substances are being used by teens today and none are totally harmless. Talk with a doctor about information on commonly abused substances and groups of drugs. Find out how the drugs work, what their street names are, what the signs of being under the influence are, what indicates overdose and what to do, and how the drugs affect a teen's growth and development.

Some communities have prevention programs for high-risk teens. If you live in a high-risk neighborhood or your teen is at high risk for substance abuse, a community prevention program can help your teen develop skills to avoid substance abuse.