Substance Abuse in Tweens & Teens - Free Resources for Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

The 20th Annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study on Teen Drug Abuse.

• “Who is this kid?”
• “Why does my teen do that?”
• ”What can I do?”

Through the use of video, interactive segments, scenario-based role-playing experiences, and practical advice from experts, A Parent’s Guide to the Teen Brain explores the science behind teenage brain development and how it shapes normal teenage attitude and behavior. Find tools and tips – all designed to help you connect with your teen. Gain insights into teen brain development and apply your new knowledge of normal teenage behavior to real life.

In this .pdf document, learn how scientific understanding of drug abuse is leading to "effective prevention and treatment approaches that reduce the toll drug abuse takes on individuals, families, and communities."  Includes "Preventing Drug Abuse: The Best Strategy" and much more.

Featuring videos, audio stories, comprehensive sections such as “What to Know,” and “What to Say,” setting rules, and tons of other useful information.  From the US Department of Health and Human Services SAMHSA.

Nearly a quarter of high school students in the U.S. smoke cigarettes. Another 8% use smokeless tobacco. Smoking has many health risks for everyone. However, the younger you are when you start smoking, the more problems it can cause. For example:

• People who start smoking before the age of 21 have the hardest time quitting.
• About 30% of youth smokers will continue smoking and die early from a smoking-related disease.
• Teen smokers are more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs.
• They are more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression.

Parents and other adults who work with children can help by warning them of the risks of smoking. They can also set a good example by not smoking themselves.  This resource offers more information about teens and smoking and links to other helpful sites.

Meth360 offers free community education programs to educate about the dangers of meth and prevent it's addictive spread through communities.

My Child's Academic Success-Tips for Parents on Keeping Children Drug Free includes links to Tips for Your Preschool Child, Additional Resources, Tips for Your Middle School or Junior High School Child and much more.

From the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this guide provides the facts about drugs, health hazards of use, how extensively each drug is abused, and information sources.  Also available in Spanish.

"Oregon Partnership is a statewide nonprofit promoting healthy kids and communities through drug and alcohol awareness, drug preventionprograms, and 24 hour crisis lines for treatment referrals and suicide prevention and intervention. We work with schools and community coalitions statewide, and our resource library is open to all to educate on the dangers of substance abuse."

Working together with key community stakeholders focused on prevention, treatment, health care, education and law enforcement, The Partnership at Drugfree.org developed a series of research-based, multimedia community education programs designed specifically to inform parents about today’s drug and alcohol landscape, equip them to be more effective in dealing with these issues and help them raise healthy teens.

This site offers a host of really useful materials for teachers and parents to talk to kids about alcohol use and to help them make smart decisions while out with their friends.  Resources include responses to frequently asked questions, a conversation jar--a conversation and family activity starter, a prevention brochure in Spanish and English, teaching tools, fact sheets, and much more. 

With stories, videos, blogs, articles, and research for parents and teens; this site exposes people to the horrors of drug addiction and offers users hope with links to intervention and treatment.  Also features a memorial for those lost to drug abuse.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University is the only nation-wide organization that brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat abuse of all substances – alcohol, nicotine as well as illegal, prescription and performance enhancing drugs – in all sectors of society.

"Kids who learn about the risks of drugs are up to 50% less likely to use.  Time to Talk is an online community, resource and toolkit to help parents connect with their kids."

From the US Department of Education.

Learn why adolescents drink, what the risks are, and how underage drinking can be prevented.  A free publication from the US Department of Health and Human Services. 

Kids are getting high off dangerous chemicals at home.

What youth should know about tobacco, what parents should know, and what coaches should know.  Includes reasons why smoking is dangerous and tips to help kids fight the temptation to smoke.