The
more often children and teens eat dinner with their families, the less likely
they are to smoke, drink and use drugs. Children
and teens who have frequent family dinners:
·
are at half the
risk for substance abuse compared to teens who dine with their families
infrequently
·
are less likely
to have friends or classmates who use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs
·
have lower
levels of tension and stress at home
·
are more likely
to say that their parents are proud of them
·
are likelier to
say they can confide in their parents
·
are likelier to
get better grades in school
·
are
more likely to be emotionally content and have positive peer relationships
·
have
healthier eating habits
·
are
at lower risk for thoughts of suicide
· are less likely to try marijuana or have friends who use marijuana
|
Percent
Teens Who Smoke, Drink, Use Marijuana (by
frequency of family dinners) |
||
|
|
5
to 7 dinners per week |
0
to 2 dinners per week |
|
Cigarettes |
14 |
34 |
|
Alcohol |
30 |
52 |
|
Marijuana |
12 |
35 |
CASA* is the only national organization that brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat all types of substance abuse as they affect all aspects of society. CASA has issued more than 55 reports, has conducted demonstration projects focused on children, families and schools at 96 sites in 41 cities in 22 states, and has been testing the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment, monitoring 15,000 individuals in more than 200 programs and five drug courts in 26 states. CASA is the creator of the nationwide Family Day initiative – the fourth Monday in September – that promotes parental engagement. To become a CASA member, please visit www.casacolumbia.org and click “Become a Member” on the main menu or send an e-mail to membership@casacolumbia.org for more information.