"Parenting is Prevention"

Earlier this week in my main blog I mentioned research that shows parents really can influence their teens' values. Peer pressure is powerful but positive parental influence is, too. I really believe that.

I promised to link you to some of that research in this tab.

I like the way the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University puts it in a report called "Malignant Neglect: Substance Abuse and America's Schools."

"Parents are the single most important influence on children's decision to smoke,

drink, or use drugs, yet many parents do not fully understand the extent of

their influence."

There's lots of evidence that involved parenting keeps kids from being involved in risky behavior. You can read about that here.

So, start talking to your kids early. And keep on talking.