Parents detect teens' substance abuse

BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Most parents can accurately evaluate the extent of their teens' cigarette smoking, marijuana use, drinking and overall substance use, a U.S. study found.

Neil B. McGillicuddy of the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found 82 percent of parents accurately evaluated the presence of teen cigarette smoking. The parents' reports corresponded with the teens' reports of their own smoking.

Eighty-six percent of parents accurately evaluated the presence of teen alcohol use, 86 percent accurately reported the presence of teen marijuana use and 72 percent of the parents reported the presence of illicit drug use -- other than marijuana -- by teens.

"This study begins to dispel the notion that parents don't know the extent to which their teens are using cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs," McGillicuddy said in a statement. "Despite a few exceptions, many parents do know the extent of their teenager's substance use."

Parent-participants were mostly female -- 85 percent -- and were, on average, 39 years old with 13 years of education. Teen-participants were mostly male --61 percent -- and were, on average, 16 years old.

The study is published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse.