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Facts Every Parent Should Know

Teens who learn a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to try drugs than are teens who learn nothing at home. However, some parents hold back from talking to their teens about drugs because they think their teens already know the risks and that their teens are protected from drugs.

Data show teens see less risk in trying Marijuana than their parents think they do:

36 percent of parents of teens believe their teen sees great risk in trying marijuana once or twice
19 percent of teens actually see great risk

And teens are more exposed to marijuana than their parents think they are:

17 percent of parents of teens think their teen has friends who use marijuana
62 percent of teens say their friends do
34 percent of parents of teens believe their teen can get marijuana very easily
51 percent of teens say they can
18 percent of parents of teens say that their teen has tried marijuana
39 percent of teens say they have tried it

Unfortunately, we cannot assume that teenagers know the risks or are protected from drug use. But parents can do a lot to keep their teenagers from becoming involved with drugs. Let your teen know you don't want them to use drugs, and explain why not and what the risks are. Stay involved by knowing your teen's friends (and their friends' parents) and how they are spending their free time. Try to steer them toward positive friends and activities, since teens with friends who use drugs are more likely to use drugs themselves.



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