The research on the efficacy of mentoring on adolescent drug use rests at the present time on a base of observational data and very few empirical studies (Rhodes, 1994). The classic study by Werner and Smith (1982) with high-risk children found those who succeeded showed an ability to locate an adult in addition to their parents for support. They concluded that, "Without exception, all the children who thrived had at least one person that provided them consistent emotional support-a grandmother, an older sister, a teacher, or neighbor" (Werner, 1987).

Rhodes, Ebert and Fisher (1992) found that young women with natural mentors had lower rates of depression than those without this support. Williams and Kornblum (1985) found that one of the key differences between successful and unsuccessful youth from lower-income urban communities is that the successful ones had mentors. Also, Lefkowitz (1986) and Anderson (1991) found supportive adults to be a vital protective influence on at-risk youth. Other studies have pointed out the importance of the presence of extra-familial sources of support, including identification of mentors and models (Masten and Garmezy, 1985; Werner,1990).

Parenting IS Prevention Training of Trainers Workshop, 1998	SAMHSA

Office of National Drug Control Policy