The average age at which teens start using tobacco is a little past 12 years old. The average age at which they start drinking alcohol is almost 13. And the average age at which they start smoking marijuana is 14. Although the majority of young people do not use these substances, some children are using at even younger ages than these.

Before leaving elementary school, your children should know:

• The immediate effects of alcohol on the body, including risk of coma or overdose.
• The long-term consequences, especially of addiction
• Reasons why drugs are dangerous for growing minds and bodies
• The problems faced by the user, and the users family and world

Give them permission to use you as an excuse: My parents will KILL me.

The bottom line is that most young teens don't yet drink. And parental disapproval of underage alcohol use is the key reason children choose not to drink. Make no mistake: You can make a difference.

Did you know?

• Nation survey results show one in five eighth graders report drinking alcohol in the past month?
• 17% of eighth graders say they have gotten drunk in the past year.
• 71% of young teens say that alcohol is easy to get.

Our communities are striving to offer many activities and projects to engage our youth, and you can do the same. Start by asking your child what they and their friends would be most interested to participate in.

Developmental Assets

The Search Institute has identified the building blocks of healthy development that help young children grow up healthy, caring, and responsible. The following is a sample of the assets for Middle Childhood. For the complete list click here.

• Family life provides high levels of love and support
• Child is included in decisions at home and in the community
• Family has clear and consistent rules and consequences and monitors the child's whereabouts
• Child participates in music, art, drama, or creative writing two or more times per week
• Child cares about teachers and other adults at school
• Parents tell the child it is important to accept personal responsibility for behavior
• Child thinks about decisions and is usually happy with the results of his or her decision
• Child feels like he or she has some influence over things that happen in his or her life
• Child sometimes thinks about what life means and whether there is a purpose for his or her life