Troubled Teen Resources

Anderson MA, Kaufman J, Simon TR, Barrios L, Paulozzi L, Ryan G, et al. School-associated violent deaths in the United States, 1994-1999. Journal of the American Medical Association 2001;286:2695–702.

Anderson RN, Smith BL. Deaths: leading causes for 2001. National Vital Statistics Report 2003;52(9):1–86.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. (2004). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars. [Cited 2004 May 24].

Department of Health and Human Services (US). Youth violence: a report of the Surgeon General [online] 2001 Available from: URL: www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence. [Cited 2004 May 24].

Foshee VA, Linder GF, Bauman, KE, et al. The Safe Dates Project: theoretical basis, evaluation design, and selected baseline findings. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Supplement 1996;12(5):39-47.

Grunbaum JA, Kann L, Kinchen S, Ross JG, Lowry R, Harris WA, et al. Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2003. MMWR 2004;53(SS-2):1–100. Available from: URL: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5302a1.htm

Lipsey MW, Derzon JH. Predictors of violent and serious delinquency in adolescence and early adulthood: a synthesis of longitudinal research. In: Loeber R, Farrington DP, editors. Serious and violent juvenile offenders: Risk factors and successful interventions. Thousand Oaks (CA): Sage Publications; 1998. p. 86-105.

What should I know about my teenager’s emotional health?

The teenage years are a time of transition from childhood into adulthood. Teens often struggle with being dependent on their parents while having a strong desire to be independent. They may also feel overwhelmed by the emotional and physical changes they are going through.

At the same time, teens may be facing a number of pressures–from friends to fit in and from parents and other adults to do well in school, or activities like sports or part-time jobs. The teenage years are important as your child asserts his or her individuality.
What can I do to help my teen?

Communicating your love for your child is the single most important thing you can do. Children decide how they feel about themselves in large part by how their parents react to them. For this reason, it’s important for parents to help their children feel good about themselves. It is also important to communicate your values and to set expectations and limits, such as insisting on honesty, self-control and respect for others, while still allowing teenagers to have their own space.

Parents of teens often find themselves noticing only the problems, and they may get in the habit of giving mostly negative feedback and criticism. Although teens need feedback, they respond better to positive feedback. Remember to praise appropriate behavior in order to help your teen feel a sense of accomplishment and reinforce your family’s values.

Establishing a loving relationship from the start will help you and your child through the teenage years.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) suggests the following ways for parents to prepare for their child’s teenage years:

* Provide a safe and loving home environment
* Create an atmosphere of honesty, trust and respect
* Allow age appropriate independence and assertiveness
* Develop a relationship that encourages your teen to talk to you when he or she is upset
* Teach responsibility for your teen’s belongings and yours
* Teach basic responsibility for household chores
* Teach the importance of accepting limits

What warning signs should I look for?

teens

Remember that your teen may experiment with his or her values, ideas, hairstyles and clothing in order to define him- or herself. This is typically normal behavior and you shouldn’t be concerned. However, inappropriate or destructive behavior can be a sign of a problem.

Teens, especially those with low self-esteem or with family problems, are at risk for a number of self-destructive behaviors such as using drugs or alcohol or having unprotected sex. Depression and eating disorders are common health issues that teens face. The following may be warning signs that your child is having a problem:

* Agitated or restless behavior
* Weight loss or gain
* A drop in grades
* Trouble concentrating
* Ongoing feelings of sadness
* Not caring about people and things
* Lack of motivation
* Fatigue, loss of energy and lack of interest in activities
* Low self-esteem
* Trouble falling asleep
* Run-ins with the law

What should I do if there is a problem?

Work together to maintain open communication. If you suspect there is a problem, ask your teen about what is bothering him or her. Don’t ignore a problem in the hopes that it will go away. It is easier to cope with problems when they are small. This also gives you and your teen the opportunity to learn how to work through problems together. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with dealing with your teen. Many resources, including your family doctor, are available.
Other Organizations

(Teens with household rules face one-quarter risk of drug use)

Washington, February 23, 2001 — A new survey of 1,000 American teenagers reveals that parents who remain involved in their teenagers lives and establish household rules have a much greater chance of helping their youngsters avoid substance abuse during adolescence, according to a February 21 press release from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA).

The survey assessed whether teens described parents as “hands-off” or “hands-on.” Parents were “hands-on” if they monitored what music youngsters listened to, what films and television programs they watched, where they spent leisure time, and insured that the family shared meal times.

“The loud and clear message of the survey is this: moms and dads should be parents to their children, not pals,” said CASA President and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph A. Califano, Jr. “Mothers and fathers who are parents rather than pals can greatly reduce the risk of their children smoking, drinking and using drugs.”

The survey found that teens are very concerned about drug use and the risk they face of becoming involved in substance abuse.

CASA is a private research organization focused solely on substance abuse issues. According to its mission statement, CASA works “to inform Americans about the cost of substance abuse to society; assess what works in prevention, treatment and law enforcement; encourage every individual and institution to take responsibility to combat substance abuse and addiction; provide those on the front lines with the tools they need to succeed; and remove the stigma of abuse and replace shame and despair with hope.”

Further information about CASA programs is available at http://www.casacolumbia.org/index.htm

Following is the text of the CASA press release.

(begin text)

NATIONAL CENTER ON ADDICTION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

CASA Releases 2000 Teen Survey February 21 in Washington

CASA 2000 TEEN SURVEY: TEENS WITH “HANDS-OFF” PARENTS AT FOUR TIMES GREATER RISK OF SMOKING, DRINKING AND USING ILLEGAL DRUGS AS TEENS WITH “HANDS-ON” PARENTS

ONLY ONE IN FOUR TEENS LIVES WITH “HANDS-ON” PARENTS; NEARLY 20% WITH “HANDS-OFF”

MARIJUANA EASIER, CIGARETTES HARDER TO BUY

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Only one in four teens in America (27 percent, about 6.5 million) lives with “hands-on” parents — parents who have established a household culture of rules and expectations for their teen’s behavior and monitor what their teens do: such as the TV shows they watch, the CD’s they buy, what they access on the Internet,

and where they are evenings and weekends. These teens are at one quarter the risk of smoking, drinking and using drugs as teens with “hands-off” parents, according to a new survey of 1,000 American teens ages 12-17 released today by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA#).

The 2000 “CASA National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse VI: Teens” for the first time correlated each teen’s risk of substance abuse with a series of 12 possible actions the teen attributed to his or her parents. “Hands-on” parents consistently take at least 10 of these actions. “Hands-off” parents take five or less. Nearly one in five teens (18 percent, about 4.3 million teens) lives with “hands-off” parents and is at four times the risk of substance abuse as teens with “hands-on” parents.

“The loud and clear message of the survey is this: moms and dads should be parents to their children, not pals,” said CASA President and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph A. Califano, Jr. “Mothers and fathers who are parents rather than pals can greatly reduce the risk of their children smoking, drinking and using drugs. They can counter negative media influences and the prevalence of marijuana and other drugs in a teen’s world. Whatever the family structure, whether the teen lives with both parents, a single mom or a single dad, their risk of smoking, drinking or using illegal drugs in “hands-on” households is dramatically lower than that of the average teen.”

The 12 actions against which parental conduct is measured are: monitor what their teens watch on TV; monitor what they do on the Internet; put restrictions on the CD’s they buy; know where their teens are after school and on weekends; are told the truth by their teens about where they really are going; are “very aware” of their teen’s academic performance; impose a curfew; make clear they would be “extremely upset” if their teen used pot; eat dinner with their teens six or seven nights a week; turn off the TV during dinner; assign their teen regular chores; and have an adult present when the teen returns from school.

“Hands-on” Parents Have Better Relationships with Their Teens

Despite the conventional wisdom that many teens don’t want their parents to establish rules and expectations the survey found that teens with “hands-on” parents are much more likely to have an excellent relationship with their parents than teens with “hands-off” parents:

– 47 percent of teens living in “hands-on” households report an excellent relationship with their fathers, only 13 percent living in “hands-off” households do.

– 57 percent of teens in “hands-on” households report an excellent relationship with their mother, only 24 percent living in “hands-off” households do.

“Hands-Off” Parents

“Hands-off” parents consistently fail to set rules and monitor their teen’s behavior. Teen risk goes up when parents fail to:

–monitor their teen’s television and Internet viewing, and restrict the CD’s they purchase. These teens are at twice the risk of those teens whose parents monitor these activities.

–know where their teen is after school and on weekends or expect their teen to tell them where they are going at night or on weekends. These teens are at twice the risk of teens whose parents do these.

–have dinner with their teens six or seven times a week. These teens are at one and a half times the risk of teens who have dinner with their parents nearly every night.

–give teen a clear message about marijuana use. Parents whose teens think they would “not be too upset” about their teen smoking pot have teens at more than three times the risk of teens who think their parents would be “extremely upset.”

“It is time for every parent to look in the mirror rather than look outside to what everyone else can do,” said Califano. “Parents should ask themselves: do I know where my teen is after school and on weekends? Have I set a curfew for my teen? Have I made it clear that I would be extremely upset if my teen used marijuana? Do I monitor what my teen watches on television and on the Internet, what CD’s he or she buys and listens to? Do we have dinner together as a family six or seven times a week — without the television on? Parents need to ask themselves every day: ‘What am I doing today to keep my kids drug-free?’”

Drugs Still Teens’ Greatest Concern

For the sixth straight year, teens said drugs are their greatest concern. In 2000, 26 percent of teens cited drugs as their biggest concern, up from 23 percent in 1999. In 2000 fewer teens said they expected to never try an illegal drug (51 percent) than in 1999 (60 percent). For the first time, CASA asked the teens who said drugs were their biggest concern what it was about drugs that concerned them most. 31 percent said “drugs can ruin your life and cause harm.” 17 percent said “I feel peer pressure to use drugs.” Only two percent were concerned about illegality.

Marijuana Easier to Buy, Cigarettes Harder/Ecstasy Prevalent

In 2000, teens found cigarettes more difficult to buy and marijuana slightly easier to buy. As in 1999 CASA asked teens, “What was easiest to buy: cigarettes, marijuana or beer?” In 1999, 47 percent of teens said that cigarettes were easiest to buy; in 2000, it dropped to 33 percent. In 1999, 27 percent said marijuana was easiest to buy; in 2000, it rose to 33 percent.

For the first time CASA asked teens about their proximity to Ecstasy:

– Twenty-eight percent of teens know a friend or classmate who has used Ecstasy and 17 percent know more than one user.

– Ten percent of teens say they have been to a rave, and Ecstasy was available at 70 percent of these raves.

The survey was conducted by QEV Analytics. Interviews took place between October 20 and November 5, 2000. The margin of error is +/- 3.1%.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is the only national organization that brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat all types of substance abuse as they affect all aspects of society. CASA’s missions are to: inform Americans of the economic and social costs of substance abuse and its impact on their lives; assess what works in prevention, treatment and law enforcement; encourage every individual and institution to take responsibility to combat substance abuse and addiction; provide those on the front lines with tools they need to succeed; and remove the stigma of substance abuse and replace shame and despair with hope.

With a staff of 70 professionals, CASA has demonstration projects in 38 sites in 29 cities and 19 states focused on children, families and schools, and has been testing the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment, monitoring 15,000 individuals in more than 200 programs and five drug courts in 26 states.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (also known as “CASA” ) or any of its member organizations, or any other organizations with the name of “CASA”. (c) 1996, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University

Parents whose teens think they would “not be too upset” about their teen smoking pot have teens at more than three times the risk of teens who think their parents would be “extremely upset.”

Studies have shown that parents who remain involved in their teenagers lives and establish household rules have a much greater chance of helping their youngsters avoid substance abuse during adolescence.

For more information on the importance of strong parenting read the following:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Only one in four teens in America (27 percent, about 6.5 million) lives with “hands-on” parents — parents who have established a household culture of rules and expectations for their teen’s behavior and monitor what their teens do: such as the TV shows they watch, the CD’s they buy, what they access on the Internet,

and where they are evenings and weekends. These teens are at one quarter the risk of smoking, drinking and using drugs as teens with “hands-off” parents, according to a new survey of 1,000 American teens ages 12-17 released today by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA#).

The 2000 “CASA National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse VI: Teens” for the first time correlated each teen’s risk of substance abuse with a series of 12 possible actions the teen attributed to his or her parents. “Hands-on” parents consistently take at least 10 of these actions. “Hands-off” parents take five or less. Nearly one in five teens (18 percent, about 4.3 million teens) lives with “hands-off” parents and is at four times the risk of substance abuse as teens with “hands-on” parents.

“The loud and clear message of the survey is this: moms and dads should be parents to their children, not pals,” said CASA President and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph A. Califano, Jr. “Mothers and fathers who are parents rather than pals can greatly reduce the risk of their children smoking, drinking and using drugs. They can counter negative media influences and the prevalence of marijuana and other drugs in a teen’s world. Whatever the family structure, whether the teen lives with both parents, a single mom or a single dad, their risk of smoking, drinking or using illegal drugs in “hands-on” households is dramatically lower than that of the average teen.”

The 12 actions against which parental conduct is measured are: monitor what their teens watch on TV; monitor what they do on the Internet; put restrictions on the CD’s they buy; know where their teens are after school and on weekends; are told the truth by their teens about where they really are going; are “very aware” of their teen’s academic performance; impose a curfew; make clear they would be “extremely upset” if their teen used pot; eat dinner with their teens six or seven nights a week; turn off the TV during dinner; assign their teen regular chores; and have an adult present when the teen returns from school.

“Hands-on” Parents Have Better Relationships with Their Teens

Despite the conventional wisdom that many teens don’t want their parents to establish rules and expectations the survey found that teens with “hands-on” parents are much more likely to have an excellent relationship with their parents than teens with “hands-off” parents:

– 47 percent of teens living in “hands-on” households report an excellent relationship with their fathers, only 13 percent living in “hands-off” households do.

– 57 percent of teens in “hands-on” households report an excellent relationship with their mother, only 24 percent living in “hands-off” households do.

“Hands-Off” Parents

“Hands-off” parents consistently fail to set rules and monitor their teen’s behavior. Teen risk goes up when parents fail to:

–monitor their teen’s television and Internet viewing, and restrict the CD’s they purchase. These teens are at twice the risk of those teens whose parents monitor these activities.

–know where their teen is after school and on weekends or expect their teen to tell them where they are going at night or on weekends. These teens are at twice the risk of teens whose parents do these.

–have dinner with their teens six or seven times a week. These teens are at one and a half times the risk of teens who have dinner with their parents nearly every night.

–give teen a clear message about marijuana use. Parents whose teens think they would “not be too upset” about their teen smoking pot have teens at more than three times the risk of teens who think their parents would be “extremely upset.”

“It is time for every parent to look in the mirror rather than look outside to what everyone else can do,” said Califano. “Parents should ask themselves: do I know where my teen is after school and on weekends? Have I set a curfew for my teen? Have I made it clear that I would be extremely upset if my teen used marijuana? Do I monitor what my teen watches on television and on the Internet, what CD’s he or she buys and listens to? Do we have dinner together as a family six or seven times a week — without the television on? Parents need to ask themselves every day: ‘What am I doing today to keep my kids drug-free?’”

Drugs Still Teens’ Greatest Concern

For the sixth straight year, teens said drugs are their greatest concern. In 2000, 26 percent of teens cited drugs as their biggest concern, up from 23 percent in 1999. In 2000 fewer teens said they expected to never try an illegal drug (51 percent) than in 1999 (60 percent). For the first time, CASA asked the teens who said drugs were their biggest concern what it was about drugs that concerned them most. 31 percent said “drugs can ruin your life and cause harm.” 17 percent said “I feel peer pressure to use drugs.” Only two percent were concerned about illegality.

Marijuana Easier to Buy, Cigarettes Harder/Ecstasy Prevalent

In 2000, teens found cigarettes more difficult to buy and marijuana slightly easier to buy. As in 1999 CASA asked teens, “What was easiest to buy: cigarettes, marijuana or beer?” In 1999, 47 percent of teens said that cigarettes were easiest to buy; in 2000, it dropped to 33 percent. In 1999, 27 percent said marijuana was easiest to buy; in 2000, it rose to 33 percent.

For the first time CASA asked teens about their proximity to Ecstasy:

– Twenty-eight percent of teens know a friend or classmate who has used Ecstasy and 17 percent know more than one user.

– Ten percent of teens say they have been to a rave, and Ecstasy was available at 70 percent of these raves.

The survey was conducted by QEV Analytics. Interviews took place between October 20 and November 5, 2000. The margin of error is +/- 3.1%.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is the only national organization that brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat all types of substance abuse as they affect all aspects of society. CASA’s missions are to: inform Americans of the economic and social costs of substance abuse and its impact on their lives; assess what works in prevention, treatment and law enforcement; encourage every individual and institution to take responsibility to combat substance abuse and addiction; provide those on the front lines with tools they need to succeed; and remove the stigma of substance abuse and replace shame and despair with hope.

With a staff of 70 professionals, CASA has demonstration projects in 38 sites in 29 cities and 19 states focused on children, families and schools, and has been testing the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment, monitoring 15,000 individuals in more than 200 programs and five drug courts in 26 states.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (also known as “CASA” ) or any of its member organizations, or any other organizations with the name of “CASA”. (c) 1996, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University

You try to keep your kids healthy, right? You make sure they get enough sleep, eat fruits and vegetables, and brush their teeth. Prevention is key to keeping your child well. When it comes to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, preventive measures—also called “protective factors”—can help keep your child from using substances.1 In contrast, risk factors are like red flags that can warn you about possible dangers in your child’s future—and help you prevent those dangers.

A teen negotiating the dangers of substance abuse deals with many types of risk and protective factors at home, in school, and in his neighborhood. The more risk factors a child faces, the more likely he is to have substance abuse and related problems as a teen or young adult. And the reverse is true; with more protective factors at work, a child is more likely to make healthy decisions.

Protective Factors
Parents can provide one of the most important protective factors: a strong family bond. When you and your children hang out and have fun together, you develop a sense of closeness and trust and help strengthen family ties. Time together also gives you a chance to share your values and expectations about different topics, including substance use. If you let your child know up front that you don’t approve of using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, your child is less likely to use them.2 Research shows that parental influence is a primary reason that youth don’t do drugs3 so speak up and let your children know where you stand.

Risk Factors
Many types of risk factors are rooted in a child’s family life. Would it surprise you to learn that parents’ permissiveness is a bigger factor in teenage drug use than is peer pressure?4 Research shows that children whose parents who don’t use fair and consistent discipline are more likely to be at greater risk for drug-taking behavior.5 Making rules, explaining the need for them, and enforcing them consistently are important. Parents need to establish regularly enforced rules to guide their children in developing daily habits of self-discipline.
Risk and Protective Factors in Your Family’s Regular Routine
You have a chance to improve many of your child’s protective factors every day. Start by spending time together—eat dinner together, go for a walk, drive to the mall, play board games, or do other activities that you and your child can enjoy together. Like the steps you take to keep your child’s body healthy, a solid relationship with you can help protect her from substance use and help keep her well in body, mind, and spirit.

Sources

1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). 2000. NCAPTion 1: Training Guide. Rockville, MD: CSAP.
2 SAMHSA’s CSAP. Keeping Youth Drug Free: Make Clear Rules and Enforce Them With Consistency and Appropriate Consequences, last referenced 8/4/04. (A print version of this publication was released in 2002.)
3 SAMHSA’s CSAP. Keeping Youth Drug Free: If You Love a Child, You Need To Know This, last referenced 8/4/04. (A print version of this publication was released in 2002.)
4 SAMHSA’s CSAP. Keeping Youth Drug Free: Make Clear Rules and Enforce Them With Consistency and Appropriate Consequences, last referenced 8/4/04. (A print version of this publication was released in 2002.)
5 Ibid.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders, Second Edition, last referenced 8/6/04.

You try to keep your kids healthy, right? You make sure they get enough sleep, eat fruits and vegetables, and brush their teeth. Prevention is key to keeping your child well. When it comes to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, preventive measures—also called “protective factors”—can help keep your child from using substances.1 In contrast, risk factors are like red flags that can warn you about possible dangers in your child’s future—and help you prevent those dangers.

A teen negotiating the dangers of substance abuse deals with many types of risk and protective factors at home, in school, and in his neighborhood. The more risk factors a child faces, the more likely he is to have substance abuse and related problems as a teen or young adult. And the reverse is true; with more protective factors at work, a child is more likely to make healthy decisions.

Protective Factors
Parents can provide one of the most important protective factors: a strong family bond. When you and your children hang out and have fun together, you develop a sense of closeness and trust and help strengthen family ties. Time together also gives you a chance to share your values and expectations about different topics, including substance use. If you let your child know up front that you don’t approve of using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, your child is less likely to use them.2 Research shows that parental influence is a primary reason that youth don’t do drugs3 so speak up and let your children know where you stand.

Risk Factors
Many types of risk factors are rooted in a child’s family life. Would it surprise you to learn that parents’ permissiveness is a bigger factor in teenage drug use than is peer pressure?4 Research shows that children whose parents who don’t use fair and consistent discipline are more likely to be at greater risk for drug-taking behavior.5 Making rules, explaining the need for them, and enforcing them consistently are important. Parents need to establish regularly enforced rules to guide their children in developing daily habits of self-discipline.

Risk and Protective Factors in Your Family’s Regular Routine
You have a chance to improve many of your child’s protective factors every day. Start by spending time together—eat dinner together, go for a walk, drive to the mall, play board games, or do other activities that you and your child can enjoy together. Like the steps you take to keep your child’s body healthy, a solid relationship with you can help protect her from substance use and help keep her well in body, mind, and spirit.

Sources

1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). 2000. NCAPTion 1: Training Guide. Rockville, MD: CSAP.
2 SAMHSA’s CSAP. Keeping Youth Drug Free: Make Clear Rules and Enforce Them With Consistency and Appropriate Consequences, last referenced 8/4/04. (A print version of this publication was released in 2002.)
3 SAMHSA’s CSAP. Keeping Youth Drug Free: If You Love a Child, You Need To Know This, last referenced 8/4/04. (A print version of this publication was released in 2002.)
4 SAMHSA’s CSAP. Keeping Youth Drug Free: Make Clear Rules and Enforce Them With Consistency and Appropriate Consequences, last referenced 8/4/04. (A print version of this publication was released in 2002.)
5 Ibid.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders, Second Edition, last referenced 8/6/04.