Teens and Drugs

Believe it or not, adults like you have an amazing ability: you can reach high-risk teens. Yes, even teens struggling in school, or with parents who have severe problems of their own. Such is the power of a caring adult in a teen's life. Research suggests the influence of a mentor can 

• Reduced first-time drug use;
• Cut first-time alcohol use;
• Cut school absenteeism;
• Improve family and peer relationships; and
• Increase confidence in schoolwork

What Adults Who Mentor Say
A nationwide survey of 1,500 adults who mentored youth other than their own children said:

• They helped with or prevented problems for a young person.
• They found their experience very satisfying.
• They learned or gained something personally from their experience.
• They would mentor again or recommend a friend.

About Mentoring

• A key goal of mentoring is to provide a caring and supportive adult for youth at risk.
• Mentoring relationships offer youth the chance to overcome hurdles, cope with problems, and learn basic skills necessary for a productive, healthy adulthood.
• Mentoring makes a difference. The challenge lies in expanding programs to reach a greater portion of youth at risk and to recruit new mentors.

But What Do I Do with the Youth?
Almost anything. The important thing is to spend time with your teen on a regular basis. Engaging in a wide range of activities and offering guidance to the young person (when it's asked for) is what will make you successful. Activities can include:

• Playing a sport together, walking or hiking
• Talking about the youth's personal issues
• Eating a meal together
• Hanging out or running errands
• Outings to the library, museum, concert, play, movies or sporting events
• Working on homework
• Discussing and researching college or career opportunities
• Job shadowing or internship opportunities
• Learning social skills or manners
• Learning job related skills
• Being introduced to other people who could help them with educational or career goals
• Exposing youth to cultural, social and entertainment opportunities they would not otherwise have