Preventing drug abuse among troubled teens may start with parents

Experts say that parents are the first line of defense when it comes to preventing drug abuse among troubled teens. However, many parents may need to work long hours to make up for the the effects of the turbulent economy on their finances. As a result, many teens are left alone for long periods of time and may have more opportunities to use alcohol or drugs.

Oro Valley, Arizona law enforcement and paramedics recently teamed up to help teach parents the consequences of teen drug abuse, The Explorer reports.

"Some of the most difficult decisions your children will make [are] when you are not present," Antonio Benjamin, father to one Oro Valley student, told the news source. "It is important to teach them to be good thinkers so when they have to make decisions, they can make the correct [choices]."

Parent involvement can be an essential tool in preventing drug abuse in children. However, individual therapy may provide additional assistance in helping young people overcome obstacles associated with substance abuse.

The 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reveals that an estimated 21.8 million Americans age 12 and older used illicit drugs in the month prior to the survey.