Parents Pivotal in Keeping Teens Away From
Drugs, Reveals New Data
Drug, Alcohol, Cigarette Use, and Sexual Activity Prevalent in U.S. High
Schools; ONDCP and Prevention Organizations Partner to Support Parents
More Resources
a. Teen Risky Behaviors: Fact Sheet
b. Read the Open Letter
(Washington, D.C.)-Parents are a powerful influence in keeping their
teens off of drugs and other risky behaviors, such as underage drinking,
cigarette use, and sexual activity. And according to new data, the majority
of teens say the greatest risk in using marijuana is upsetting their parents
(69%), followed by losing the respect of friends and family (67.2%). To
better help parents prevent all types of risk-taking among teens, the White
House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and health and
prevention leaders have partnered to raise awareness about the consequences
of risky behaviors among teens, including drug use, drinking, smoking, and
sexual activity.
Compared to a generation ago, most of today's teens are thriving. Drug,
alcohol, tobacco, and teen pregnancy rates are all down. But recent surveys
show that among the Nation's 12-17-year-olds, each day 3,430 try marijuana
for the first time; 7,500 try alcohol; 3,900 try cigarettes; and one in five
teenage girls has at least one birth by age 20. In a typical high school
class in America today, the number of students engaging in risky behaviors
is staggering: seven out of 30 kids are using drugs; 13 drink alcohol; six
smoke cigarettes; and 10 are sexually active. Indeed, new data also shows
that more than four in 10 adolescents have been offered drugs, and about one
in four have been offered drugs at school.
At a press conference in Washington, D.C. today, ONDCP unveiled a new
"Open Letter" print ad that highlights proven actions parents can take to
help their teens successfully navigate the minefield of risky behaviors
during the adolescent years, including setting rules and consequences,
keeping close tabs on their teens, and monitoring their teens' time on the
Internet.
The Open Letter ad, signed by 16 prevention and parenting organizations,
including the American Legacy Foundation, the Leadership to Keep Children
Alcohol Free, and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, will be
published next week in the top 25 media markets in national and local
newspapers, and in select magazines.
Research shows that teens who have a positive relationship with their
parents are less likely to engage in risky behaviors:
a.. Positive relationships or connectedness between parents and
adolescents is linked to avoidance or lower use of alcohol, tobacco, and
illicit drugs;
b.. Adolescents who have high-quality relationships with their parents
are less likely to initiate sex or be sexually active;
c.. Teens whose parents use a "balanced" parenting style-are warm, and
involved, firm in setting limits, and show respect for their teen-do better
in school, report less depression, and anxiety, have higher self-esteem and
self-reliance, and are less likely to engage in all types of risky or
problem behavior, including drug and alcohol use, sex, or violence.
"We're here to tell parents they are not alone. Research tells us there
are some straightforward steps parents can take not only to help prevent
drug use, but to reduce risk-taking across-the-board," said John Walters,
Director of National Drug Control Policy. "We think parents and caregivers
will find the information on how to monitor their kids practical and useful
in their everyday lives."
ONDCP also unveiled new resources for parents, including a parent
handbook and an interactive CD-ROM, new parent television ads created by
Grey Worldwide New York (the ads may be viewed at
