More than 15 years of CASA* research on teens and substance abuse finds that a child who gets through age 21 without smoking, using illegal drugs or abusing alcohol is virtually certain never to do so and that the greatest influence on teens is parents. Over those years, from thousands of emails, letters and calls from concerned parents like you, we've become convinced that you do not appreciate the power you have to raise healthy, drug free kids and how best to exercise that power. So we're writing a new book, Parent Power, to help you.

Parent Power Book

About the Book

Since its founding, CASA has been working to identify situations and characteristics that increase or decrease the risk that a teen will smoke, drink, use illegal drugs, or abuse prescription drugs.

We are going to describe those situations and characteristics in a new book, Parent Power.

We’ve also learned that you parents have a lot of experience in what works and what doesn’t in raising healthy drug-free kids. We want to include that experience in Parent Power.

Your experience will make Parent Power the most practical, usable and savvy guide to address the real-life situations that parents and teens face everyday. The book will cover things like:

  • How to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol
  • How to relate to your kids and understand the reality of their world and the pressures they face from friends, music and entertainment
  • The difference between boys and girls and substance abuse
  • The warning signs of substance abuse
  • How to answer tough questions that kids ask
  • Preparing for and getting through college

There are no silver bullets. Substance abuse can strike any family regardless of affluence, race, gender or age. Parent Power will help parents use their influence over their children in the most effective way to reduce their child’s risk of living a life ravaged by drugs and alcohol.