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The Pioneer of Drug and Alcohol Compliance
 
 
 
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Helping Parents Have Better Conversations About Drugs & Alcohol

Drug and alcohol use can affect families long before warning signs become obvious. DATCO provides practical resources to help parents recognize risks, start meaningful conversations, and make informed decisions.

Practical Guidance: Learn how to recognize warning signs and begin productive conversations.

Educational Resources: Download a parent handbook with age-appropriate information and prevention tips.

Home Drug Testing: Learn when home testing may be appropriate and how to use it responsibly.

Download Parent Guide
 
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Why Early Conversations Matter:

Mental Health: Stress, anxiety, and depression can increase substance use risk.

Peer Pressure: Friends and social circles continue to influence decisions during adolescence.

Social Media: Online trends and misinformation can normalize risky behaviors.

Family Communication: Children who have open conversations with trusted adults are generally more likely to seek help when problems arise.

Current Youth Substance Trends:

  • The majority of U.S. teens report not using alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. In 2024, about 90% of 8th graders, 80% of 10th graders, and two-thirds of 12th graders reported no recent use of these substances.

  • Even though youth alcohol use continues to decline, alcohol remains one of the most commonly used substances among teenagers, making early education and open family conversations important.

  • Cannabis remains one of the most commonly used illicit substances among adolescents. As marijuana laws continue to change across the country, helping children understand the health risks is more important than ever.

  • Approximately 14% of high school students report having misused prescription opioids at some point in their lives.

 
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DID YOU KNOW…

Did You Know?

📊 Most teens report that their parents are an important influence on decisions about alcohol and drugs.

🗣 Regular conversations about substance use are associated with lower rates of youth use.

🏠 Safe storage of medications and alcohol helps reduce accidental and intentional misuse.

📘 Early education is more effective than waiting until a problem develops.