Teens and Drugs

Quick Facts

• Parents tend to underestimate their teen’s exposure to illegal drugs.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60 percent of teens have drunk alcohol at some point in their lives, and 36 percent have used marijuana.
• Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age – especially before high school – increases future risk for using other drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine.
• Young people who don’t use drugs are more likely to stay in school than those who do.
• Nearly 20 percent of high school students report that they have been offered, given or sold an illegal drug on school grounds in the past 12 months.
• Poor judgment while using drugs puts teens at risk for car crashes, falls, drownings, violence, unplanned and unsafe sex, and suicide.
• Drug use can cause serious immediate or long-term damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, heart and lungs.

Tips for Parents

The reality is, at some point your teen will be offered drugs in some form or another. Give them reasons and ways to refuse drugs when the time comes to make the decision.

• Tell your teen often that drug use is unacceptable, illegal, harmful and wrong. Talk frequently about family expectations and rules about drugs. Clearly state and enforce the consequences for breaking the rules.
• Raise your teen’s awareness about the health risks and consequences of drug use.
• Positive feedback strengthens a teen’s decision not to use drugs. For example, “It’s great that you’ve decided to stay away from drugs.”
• Busy, supervised teens have fewer opportunities to do drugs. Encourage your teen to take part in community activities or after-school programs, or to get a part-time job.
• Get to know your teen’s friends. Know where they hang out and what they’re doing. Talk with your teen’s friends’ parents about your “no drug use” rules.
• Talk with your teen about ways to handle pressure from friends to get high. Teach your teen how to say no and to suggest doing something different (safe). To feel comfortable talking openly with you, your teen needs to know that you won’t punish them for being honest.
• Get involved in your teen’s education. Set rules for doing homework, set goals with your teen for school grades, ask questions about classes and encourage them to read.
• Boost your teen’s self-confidence and self-worth. Praise attempts as well as achievements. Encourage your teen to express opinions and feelings in a positive way, such as talking, writing or drawing.
• Talk with and listen to your teen. Show that you are there for your teen when they need you.
• Help your teen develop a positive body image. Teach your teen to respect their body by encouraging eating healthy, exercising regularly and avoiding alcohol and other drugs.
• If you have an alcohol or other drug problem, help is available. Talk to a healthcare professional or seek outside help (see Resources below).

What Should I do if my Teen is Using Drugs?

Calmly talk about the extent of use – what kinds of drugs, how often, how much, with whom, where and why. Explain why you’re concerned. Remind your teen of your rules about drug use and enforce the consequences for breaking them.

If you believe your teen is abusing drugs or your efforts to enforce the rules have failed repeatedly, seek help from a counselor or healthcare professional.

Resources

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357 (HELP)). Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline for free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish).
• CDC Teen Substance Abuse Use and Risks
• Kids Health – Talking to Your Kids About Drugs
• Mayo Clinic – Teen Drug Abuse
• National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens 
• Partnership for Drug Free Kids
• Stanford Children’s Health – How to Spot Drug Use in Kids

Reviewed by: Jen Hawkins, MPH

Last reviewed: December 2019