They can also eat and drink anything they want. The harder you try to rein them in, the harder your children may rebel. In most cases, when you let your children have increasing amounts of independence when they prove they can handle it, they are less likely to turn to alcohol and drugs. You can also be a good role model for your children, pointing out examples of irresponsible drinking and drug use. Use these incidences as a starting point for constructive dialogue around these issues.
Kids use marijuana to fit in and belong.
Children want others to like them. Sometimes the group they want to join is using alcohol or marijuana. They may feel that if they start using these drugs themselves they will fit in with the others better and become more popular and comfortable socially. Establishing a clear position with a child that alcohol and drugs are bad is not always enough to counteract all this pressure. Children must also have a range of judgment skills to help them make good decisions.