Be a Good Role Model for Teens
Be a role model. Lead day-to-day examples of your values. Show compassion, honesty, generosity and openness you want young people to have. Examine your own behavior. Do you wear clothing with alcohol or drug use promotion? Do you laugh at stories about underage drinking or drug use?
Teens who learn anti-drug or alcohol use messages at home are 50% less likely to use. Parents are the first line of defense when it comes to teen's drinking or drug use.
You can influence your teenager's behavior, particularly if you are armed with the facts about underage drinking or substance use / abuse. Having a clear understanding about the risks of illicit drugs and knowing the signs to watch for in your teenager is a critical first step.
Know how marijuana interferes with concentrating on schoolwork and their ability to play sports.
Among the most common drug-related questions asked of parents is answering the question: "Did you do drugs?"
The issue isn't about your past. It's about your teen's future. What's important now is that your teen understands that you don't want them to use drugs.
Some parents who've used drugs in the past choose to lie about it—but they risk losing their credibility if their teen ever discovers the truth. Many experts recommend that you give an honest answer—but you don't have to tell your teen every detail. Avoid giving your teen more information than he/she asked for. And ask him/her some questions to make sure you understand exactly why he/she's asking about your drug history. Limit your response to that exchange of information.
Source: The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's Behavior Change Expert Panel