A recent study indicated that half of 11th and12th graders said it would be easy to buy drugs at school. 80 percent of all 12th graders say it would be easy to get marijuana. Studies show that the younger a child is when he or she first uses alcohol, marijuana, or cigarettes, the more likely it is the child will have some type of drug abuse problem later in life. Your child is less likely to use drugs if he or she has high self-esteem. People with high self-esteem feel good about themselves.
Studies show that people who have drinking and drug problems usually have low self-esteem.
Teach your child to set realistic goals. Give your child regular responsibilities. Because children copy adult behavior, being a good role model means that you show with your actions the proper way to behave. Tell your children that it's important not to use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs because it can make them sick and cause them to lose their friends and self-respect. Using drugs also can result in making bad decisions.