The parents' or care givers' use or abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs significantly increases the youth's chances of using, using early, and being dependent on the substance (Conger and Rueter, 1996; Duncan et al., 1995; Andrews, 1994). Furthermore, encouraging or ignoring the youth's use of alcohol and other drugs significantly increases their use (Johnson et al., 1985).

Parents who involve youth in their own use or misuse of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs also increase the youth's chances of using earlier than other children. Such involvement may include giving the youth a "sip," or asking the youth to get a beer or light a cigarette (Hansen et al., 1987; Brook et al., 1990; Jackson et al., 1997).

The parent's attitude and parental permissiveness toward the youth's use is a key factor in teenage drug use, as much as or more so than peer pressure. One 1993 study conducted by the Johnson Institute in Minneapolis found that when school-age youth are allowed to drink at home, they not only are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs outside the home, but also are more likely to develop serious behavioral and health problems related to substance use. The survey indicated that most parents allow for "supervised" underage drinking, which is a bigger factor in use and abuse than peer pressure.

The influence of family siblings appears to have both a concurrent direct effect and a delayed indirect effect on a brother or sister's risk of becoming a heavy drinker (Conger and Rueter, 1996).

Parenting IS Prevention Training of Trainers Workshop, 1998	SAMHSA

Office of National Drug Control Policy