Truth Love Honesty Communication Send your kids an E-vite to spend some time together. When I tell my son to do chores or homework, he rebels. See the expert's response More parenting resources from the federal government. Most parents can't imagine their children lighting up a joint, smoking a pipe of crack, snorting heroin, or taking a hit of Ecstasy. Since kids today may not turn to their parents for help after being offered drugs, this gap isn't likely to close soon.
Parents can miss some of the warning signs that their kids are at risk.
For example, cigarette smoking by teens has been linked with an increased chance that they'll try illegal drugs. One in five 12th graders is a daily smoker. Drug use by kids is high. But less than one-third of teenagers name their parents as a source of information about drugs. Inhalants are among the most dangerous substances kids abuse today.