School is in session again and it can be a risky time for teens. Many teens try alcohol or marijuana for the first time during the school year. Kids who use alcohol or drugs early in adolescence are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as delinquency and sexual activity, have lower grades, drive while drunk or high, or ride with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They are also more likely to perceive drugs as not harmful and have more friends who exhibit deviant behavior.

Here is a checklist to help keep your teen drug-free. I encourage you to post this list somewhere so you’ll see it every day.

Parent Checklist
• Are you prepared to answer tough questions? One of the most important rules for parents is to be prepared to answer tough questions from your teen. Don’t avoid them. Be thoughtful and honest when answering, and if necessary prepare yourself for what you would say if your child asks if you ever used pot.

• Have you set rules yet? Have you set clear rules and let your teen know that alcohol/drug use is unacceptable? Two-thirds of kids say that upsetting their parents or losing the respect of family and friends is one of the main reasons they don’t drink or use other drugs. Set limits with clear consequences for breaking them then praise and reward good behavior.

• Do you understand and communicate? Have you talked to your teen in the past month about the harmful physical, mental, and social affects of drinking and illicit drugs? Young people who learn about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50% less likely to try drugs than their peers who learn nothing from their parents.

• Do you look for teachable moments in everyday life? Parenting expert Phillippe Cunningham, PhD, suggests that any moment can be a teachable moment. Teaching your teen something about drugs doesn’t have to be a long, serious talk—just a few words can do. But it’s not a discussion you can have only once—speak about it regularly.

• Do you monitor your teen’s activities? Have you checked to see where your teen is, who he is with, and what he is doing? Teens not regularly monitored by their parents are up to four times more likely to use drugs. Surprise your teen occasionally by checking up to make sure he is where he said he would be.

• Do you stay involved in your teen’s life? Have you talked to your teen’s coach, employer, or friends lately? Stay in touch with your child’s adult supervisors (camp counselors, coaches, employers, etc.) and have them inform you of any changes in your teen.

• Do you engage your teen in activities? Have you helped plan activities to keep your teen busy? Research shows that teens who are involved in constructive and adult-supervised activities are less likely to use drugs.

• Do you reserve time for family? Have you planned a family activity, like seeing a movie together? Teens who spend time, talk, and have a close relationship with their parents are much less likely to drink and take drugs.

James Patterson is certified substance abuse counselor and the founder and executive director of Specialized Outpatient Services. SOS offers a wide range of assessment, referral, drug testing, outpatient, and intensive outpatient substance abuse services for teens and families in the OKC metro area.