Use news reports as discussion openers. If you see a news story about an alcohol-related car accident, talk to your teen about all the victims that an accident leaves in its wake. If the story is about drugs in your community, talk about the ways your community has changed as drug use has grown. Compliment and encourage your teen for the all the things he does well and for the positive choices he makes. Let him know that he is seen and appreciated.
Teens still care what their parents think.
Let him know how deeply disappointed you would be if he started using drugs. What drugs are in the teen's world.