Parents who talk about pot

April 28, 1999

Teens who get strong antidrug messages at home were 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those whose parents ignore the issue, says a new study by Partnership for a Drug Free America, a nonprofit group.

There was, however, a discrepancy of perceptions. Although 98 percent of parents say they've spoken with their children about drugs, only 27 percent of teens say they are learning a lot about drug risks at home. "Parents really believe they're doing their job in this area, but the data suggest otherwise," says chairman James Burke.

One reason parents weren't speaking about drugs: They underestimate their availability.