Getting involved with your kids is a good way to prevent drug abuse. Here are some basic rules to follow:

• Find out who, what, when and where. Know what is going on in your child's life, ask about school, work, and after-school activities.

• Support community efforts to encourage drug-free environments such as school programs for drug-free comprehensive programs, student drug testing and PTA committees.

• Look at newspaper articles, TV shows, and advertisements. Use these "teachable moments" to bring up the subject of drugs.

• Talk about their future[s] early and often. What do you expect from your kids? What do they expect from you?

• Help your children feel good about themselves and their achievements. Be excited for what your kids care about and help them to achieve their goals.

• Set standards for drug and alcohol use. Take a stand on cigarettes, beer, liquor and illegal drugs. Let your children know what behavior is expected of them.

Many good resources exist if you want to find out more about talking to your kids about drug use.

Listed below are related online resources:

Courage to Speak Foundation
A grassroots organization dedicated to helping parents fight drug abuse among kids. "Parents Guide"
www.couragetospeak.org

Drug Free America Foundation
Gives parents tips for how to talk to their children.
www.dfaf.org/familyguide/talking.php

Kaiser Family Foundation: Talking with Kids- Drugs and Alcohol
Gives parents tips on how to talk to your kids about alcohol, drugs, sex, HIV/AIDS, and violence:
www.talkingwithkids.org/drugs.html

Kids Health For Parents
This website gives advice for parents with young children and teenagers about alcohol and drugs.
kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/talk_about_drugs_p2.html

Moms Tell
Website for parents and their kids who use illegal substances
"Parent's Guide"
www.momstell.com/ParentsGuide.htm

National PTA
This is a parent organization that has a Parent's Involvement Guide.
www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/drugalcohol/index.asp

Parents. The Anti-Drug
This website offers some tips and advice on how to talk to your teens.
www.theantidrug.com/advice/index.asp
(www.theantidrug.com/advice/advice_communicate.asp?newadvice=q5)

Partnership for a Drug Free America
This website gives advice for parents and children.
www.drugfreeamerica.org

Talking to Your Kids About Drugs: Tips For Parents
This website gives short advice for children of all ages.
www.wric.com/Global/story.asp?S=330345

Teen Healthcare Center Presents
This website gives advice on how to talk to your kids as well as other resources and links for drug education.
www.teenhealthcentre.com/parents/topics/substance-abuse/drugs02.htm