As summer winds down and backpacks are loaded with supplies, parents begin to focus on schedules and extracurriculars. With new friends and new situations, there are also new risks, including the risk of adolescent substance use. 

There is good news: most teens are not using drugs or alcohol. In 2023, nearly 90% of 8th graders and over two-thirds of 12th graders reported not using marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine in the past month. Approximately 8% of eighth graders report using alcohol in the past month, and half that number, 4% report using marijuana in the past month. Among high school seniors, nearly 30% report past-month alcohol use, and almost 20% report past-month marijuana use.  

While overall drug use among adolescents has declined or remained stable in recent years, the risk landscape has changed. Potent substances like fentanyl, look-alike pills, and highly potent marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids have made experimentation more dangerous, and in some cases, deadly. Despite this, many teens falsely believe that vaping, marijuana, and prescription medications are relatively harmless. 

As your family prepares for the new school year, create opportunities to talk with your teens about making healthy choices and choices that are aligned with their goals. If your child wants to be on a sports team or excel in a subject in school, how will their use of drugs or alcohol contribute to or hinder their ability to achieve that goal? Parents often falsely believe that their children are not listening to them; that is wrong. They are listening. If your child knows they can turn to you for support, guidance, and information, they’re far more likely to make safe choices. Make space for these critical conversations and remember that although it may not look like it, your kids are listening. 

What Parents Can Do: 5 Action Steps 

1. Start the Conversation Early—and Keep It Going 
Talk regularly and openly about the risks of drugs and alcohol; do this early, often, and without embarrassment. Ask questions, listen without judgment, and share your values and expectations. A survey commissioned by MADD found that 3 in 5 teens said a parent was the most important influence on their decision-making, although parents often underestimated their impact. Federal data analyses show that adolescents who perceive strong parental disapproval are significantly less likely to initiate or use substances. 

2. Know the Warning Signs 
Watch for changes in behavior, including a new peer group, a change in grades, loss of interest in historically valued activities, changes in sleep or mood, and secretiveness. These changes may not indicate substance use, but they create an opportunity for thoughtful and curious dialogue about what is happening. 

3. Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations 
Make your rules and consequences around drug and alcohol use clear and consistent. Teens want guidance and clear limits, even when they push back. They’re less likely to use substances when they know their parents disapprove. 

4. Stay Informed and Involved 
Attend school events, know your child’s friends, and stay connected with other parents. Store your medications in a secure location, safe from your children and their visiting friends. Monitor access to alcohol. Help your teen manage stress in healthy ways—like through physical activity, creative outlets, or mindfulness. 

5. Focus on Support, Not Punishment 
If you suspect or discover use, resist the all-too-common temptation to ignore what you’ve found in hopes that it will just go away. Approach your teens with love, concern, and curiosity.  Your response should reflect the rules and boundaries you established in earlier conversations. Use the agreed-upon consequences and don’t be taken in by promises to “never do that again.” If you feel overwhelmed or out of your depth, talk with a counselor, a trusted care provider, or a substance use professional to explore your options.