Latest survey shows that parental influence on their children should not be underrated.
According to the same survey, a number of drugs that are used, kept or sold has risen 41 % for high school students and 47% for middle school students, since 2002. Teen perceptions of immorality, parental disapproval and harm to health are far more powerful deterrents to teen smoking, drinking and drug use than legal restrictions are.
Teens who say their parents would not be so upset if they used marijuana are six times more likely to try marijuana than those whose parents would be "extremely upset."
Researchers say it is clear that when it comes to the legal issues of drug and alcohol abuse, the morality trumps illegality, and together with the 'parent power' is the most effective way to discourage teen drug use.
He says that most kids get their sense of morality from their parents, and the message of the survey is clear.