Are you aware of the warning signs of alcohol and drug abuse? Would you know if your teen started abusing alcohol or taking drugs? Would you know how to talk to him? The Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that the number of parents talking with kids about the risks of alcohol and drug use is on the decline. Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership said, "At a time when teens are faced with new threats from the intentional abuse of medicines, parents are communicating less frequently with their kids about the very real health risks of drug and alcohol abuse." Talking with your kids about drugs and alcohol could make the difference that keeps them out of alcohol and drug rehab in the future.

This trend set the stage for a new campaign from the Partnership called "Time To Talk." The goal of this campaign is to encourage and empower parents and caregivers to have frequent talks with kids about the health risks of drug and alcohol abuse. Mr. Pasierb went on to say ,"The Partnership is taking immediate action and responding to the growing needs of parents by providing them with resources to help them feel informed and empowered to speak with their kids about making healthy choices for themselves."

According to the Partnership, kids who learn about drug risks from their parents are 50% less likely to use drugs and alcohol. And if they don't get started, they don't wind up with a problem that could later require alcohol or drug rehab.

But if your child is already using, how would you know? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says these are the warning signs: mood changes (temper, irritability, defensiveness), school problems (poor attendance, low grades, recent disciplinary action), rebelling against family rules, switching friends and being reluctant for you to meet them, "nothing matters" attitude, physical or mental problems (memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination). If you find any of these in your child, you may already have an abuse or addiction problem on your hands. Take action right away.

Many parents think their child will never get involved in drugs or alcohol but, really, there's no guarantee. Honor students with a great future and a good sense of ethics and responsibility often experiment with drugs because of curiosity or peer pressure. Sometimes they may be given drugs they think are really harmless because they got them from a friend who was prescribed them by a doctor. But people entering drug rehab centers aren't only on street drugs: prescription drug abuse and addiction is just as big a problem.

Don't wait until your kids start drinking or taking drugs to talk with them about the dangers and risks. If you want them to have a bright future that doesn't include alcohol or drug rehab, educate them early. And if they already have a problem, get them into a successful drug rehab program right away so they can turn things around before their lives are forever changed.