A national study published in June of this year by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University highlights how American culture influences teen substance abuse, and emphasizes the role of parents in the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse.

According to their website (www.casacolumbia.org), the study titled, Adolescent Substance Use: America's #1 Health Problem, "looks at how American culture increases the risk that teens will use addictive substances and how the messages sent by adults, and glamorized by the tobacco and alcohol industries and the media, normalize substance use and undermine the health and futures of our teens."

The report warns that smoking, alcohol use, and drug use has now become a dangerous public health epidemic for adolescents. Some key findings include:

• Substance abuse is a primary contributor to the three leading causes of death among adolescents- accidents, homicides, and suicides
• 90 percent of Americans who meet the diagnostic criteria for addiction began abusing substances before the age of 18
• Americans who began using addictive substances before the age of 18 had a significantly higher chance of developing substance dependence than those who started using after the age of 21
• 46 percent of high school students currently admit using addictive substances

The study contends that parents are the greatest influence in their teen's choice to use or not to use addictive substances. The authors write that parents need to "set a good example; restrict access to addictive substances; communicate clear, consistent no-use messages; consistently enforce rules; monitor their teens; require that their health care providers address this issue in the context of routine professional care; and get help fast at the earliest signs of trouble." Click to read entire report CASA Report