FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2004
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Contact: Jennifer de Vallance (202) 395–6618
Jessica Stone (202) 828–8808
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Parents: Do Your Homework as Teens Head Back-to-School
Drug Czar, National Fatherhood Initiative, and National Student Assistance Association Team Up to Alert Parents of Increased Drug Use Risks
(Washington)—The risks are high this Back-to-School season, as many kids enter new schools, face increased workloads and make new friends. The Nation's Drug Czar, the National Fatherhood Initiative and the National Student Assistance Association have teamed up to help parents and other influential adults stay smart about the risks associated with teens going back to school and provide them with the tools they need to keep teens drug-free.
While teen drug use has dropped by 11 percent over the past two years, parents play a more important role than they realize in keeping kids off drugs.
"Parents need to stay involved and informed. Many parents worry that their influence wanes as children become teenagers, but setting standards will have a positive impact on whether your child uses drugs," said John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy. "Transition periods are often times when teens are first introduced to drugs. Whether your child is starting at a new school, has a new group of friends, or you notice changes in their appearance or behavior, make sure you know what's going on."
Research shows that teens transitioning from middle to high school are at an increased risk for drug use. According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), lifetime marijuana use increases more than sevenfold between the ages of 12 and 14 (from 2 percent to 15 percent), when many students are changing schools. The 2003 Monitoring the Future survey found similar results. Between 8th and 10th grade, the percentage of kids who have tried drugs doubles (from 18 percent to 36 percent). Additionally, disapproving attitudes about drug use decreases from 82 to 68 percent during this time.
"Students today are under much stress," said Lee Rush, Executive Director of the National Student Assistance Association. "By paying attention to changes in a child's behavior, attitude about school or a decline in grades, parents, other family members, teachers, and coaches can be alerted early to signs of potential alcohol or other drug use."
Often, the drug use of friends is a strong predictor of a teen's own drug use, yet parents tend to underestimate this risk. The 2003 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study reported that only 17 percent of parents think their teens had friends who smoke marijuana, but in fact, nearly two-thirds of teens report having friends who use the drug. And in most cases, teens are getting marijuana and other drugs from their friends. The 2002 NSDUH found that the majority of teens ages 12–17 who smoked marijuana reported getting it from their friends (79 percent).
"Parents are the most important resources in a child's life," said Roland C. Warren, President of the National Fatherhood Initiative. "When it comes to helping kids avoid drugs, parents need to stay involved, stay informed, and stay positive in order to make sure their children feel the affirmation and support they need to make the right choices and deal responsibly with the pressures of returning to school."
Parents remain the most powerful influence on their teen when it comes to drugs. In fact, two-thirds of youth ages 13–17 say fear of upsetting their parents or losing the respect of family and friends is one of the main reasons they don't smoke marijuana or use other drugs. Setting clear rules and enforcing them are part of good parenting. To prepare parents as the school year starts, ONDCP's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has developed a Back-to-School "Homework Assignment" containing a to-do list and tips for keeping track of kids when they are away from home. These resources are available on the Media Campaign's Web site for parents at www.TheAntiDrug.com. The Campaign also offers online materials for community organizations at www.MediaCampaign.org; for employers at http://www.TheAntiDrug.com/atwork; and for youth at www.Freevibe.com.
Each year, approximately 91 percent of youth ages 12 to 17 participate in one or more school-based, community-based, faith-based or other activities, according to the NSDUH. Time spent in adult-supervised activities deters many teens from using drugs, and coaches, teachers, scout leaders, and school counselors play an integral part in keeping kids drug-free.
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