20th Annual PATS Report (PDFA): Teen Drug Use & Attitudes

This year, PATS showed that 37 percent of teens reported "learning a lot" about the risks of drugs from their parents in 2008 - a significant 16 percent increase over the previous year, and the first major increase since the inception of the study. But despite the increase in parent-teen discussions, just 24 percent of teens report that their parents have discussed the dangers of abusing prescription (Rx) drugs and only 18 percent of teens say their parents discuss the risks of abusing over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine.

Red Flag: Parents Still Not Discussing Abuse of Prescription and Over-The-Counter Medicines

Despite the increase in parent-teen discussions, only 24 percent of teens report that their parents talked with them about the dangers of prescription (Rx) drug abuse or use of medications outside of a doctor’s supervision; just 18 percent of teens say their parents discuss the risks of abusing over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine.

Read More from the Partnership for a Drug Free America's Report