Surprisingly, teens themselves offer insights into the parenting strategies that are most effective in steering them away from alcohol and drugs, according to SADD’s Teens Today research.

• Set and enforce curfews.
• Stay up until they return home.
• Require that they call (no texting) to "check in" from time to time.
• Talk with friends’ parents to ensure supervision.
• Restrict overnights away from home.

In short, stay involved.  Young people who avoid alcohol and drugs are more likely than those who don’t to report that they have a close relationship with their parents.  They are also more likely to say that their parents exercise a lot of "control" over various aspects of their lives, including where they go, what they do, and whom they are with.

For additional statistics, please visit SADD’s website.