A Parents’ Guide to Substance Abuse Prevention provides information to enable parents to educate children to make healthy decisions regarding the use and abuse of substances. The Guide is designed for parents but ultimately is for the benefit of children as well.

Chapters in A Parents’ Guide to Substance Abuse Prevention set forth in-depth information about communication and networking, parenting strategies, the social scene for kids, specific drugs and their consequences, Colorado laws, and resources. Information was researched extensively through books, articles, and government publications; health care and mental health professionals; legal and law enforcement agencies; and parents, teachers, and students.

Chapter summaries
Chapter 1: Introduction--Why Read This Guide? offers insight into the tough decisions facing today’s youth and recites dramatic statistics.
Chapter 2: Parenting--Laying a Good Foundation addresses principles of effective parenting including setting reasonable limits, role modeling, and communication.
Chapter 3: Communicating & Networking outlines proven principles for more effective communication with your child, including listening, nonverbal communication, and the need for on-going discussions, which are essential to successful parent/child relationships.
Chapter 4: Parties & the Social Scene provides strategies to limit potential dangers at locations where kids gather-- parties, malls, movies, shopping centers, “raves,” holiday destinations, etc.
Chapter 5: Why Kids Say They Use Alcohol & Drugs . . . gives a variety of reasons for substance use. NOTE: Studies show the major factors in teenage drug and alcohol use are the actions and attitudes of their parents.
Chapter 6: . . . And Why They Shouldn’t delineates the harmful and undesirable personal, health, social, legal and other consequences of substance abuse. NOTE: Teens who use alcohol and other drugs run a greater risk of unwanted sexual encounters: rape, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
Chapter 7: Facing the Problem--How Serious Is It? lists subtle and overt signs and evidence of changes associated with substance use.
Chapter 8: Ready & Waiting--Commonly Available Substances contains facts about drugs most often used and abused by youth. NOTE: Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are the most commonly available drugs that youth encounter. Many parents mistakenly believe that because alcohol and tobacco are legal for adults, these substances are not harmful for experimentation by children.
Chapter 9: Illegal & Closer Than You Think slaps the reader with startling facts about illegal drugs which are readily accessible, frequently used and often abused by youth.
Chapter 10: I Need Help Now! offers suggestions and strategies for what to do if your child comes home drunk or high, and more.
Chapter 11: It's Colorado Law! sets forth laws pertaining to drug-related offenses. NOTE: Many misconceptions exist among parents and minors about legal repercussions concerning the use of alcohol, illegal substances and “fake” IDs by anyone under 21.
Final Chapter: Resources contains listings of useful Web sites and contact information for treatment, support and assistance programs. Talking With Elementary School Children provides prevention ideas. After High School--You’re Not Finished Yet! recognizes and discusses the need for continuing parental involvement in substance abuse prevention. Party Ideas describes fun activities and ways to host substance-free parties.