Know!® is a community-wide partnership empowering kids to be substance-free. Know! gets to the heart of what matters by reaching kids at one of the most vulnerable times in their young lives - the middle school years, ages 11-13 - and surrounding them with messages they can understand about staying substance-free. A comprehensive community awareness effort, Know! boasts a growing membership of parents, kids, prevention agencies, educators, community leaders and individuals who share the goal of preventing and reducing kids use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Yes, we know. This is a big undertaking. But, we know what works.
What's the best tool to keep our kids substance-free?

Yes, we know. This is a big undertaking. But, we know what works.
What's the best tool to keep our kids substance-free? Parents. That's right, parents.

Long-term research shows clearly, without a doubt, that parents can have the greatest influence on their child's decision whether to use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that adolescents who reported feeling close to their families were the least likely to engage in drinking, smoking or taking drugs. The study supports what parents should know: that they can teach their children to view alcohol, tobacco and other drugs as a serious concern and that they can influence their children's decisions about whether or not to use these substances.

Parents possess a unique power to help their children stay healthy and substance-free. Mothers and fathers are often identified by kids as the most trustworthy sources of information and guidance on using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. And adolescents and teens say they want and need this information from parents. Most teens who don't use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs credit their parents for their decision. So despite worries about the negative effects and powerful influence of peer pressure, movies and music, the fact is, parents, grandparents, mentors and other caregivers can be just as powerful when they weigh in with their influence.

So what do you do?

Talk to your children often and early to send clear and consistent messages that you don't want them using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. And not just because it's illegal, but because it's unhealthy and dangerous. Research has demonstrated that there are many things parents can do to prevent substance use.

This Know! Parent Workbook provides parents and other caregivers with guidelines to help them make the most of their influence. It is targeted to parents and guardians of 11-13- year-olds, but the materials and exercises also can work for other age groups.

Know! wants you to know how to start the conversations about substance use, how to connect with your children, and how to listen and learn from them. Then you can educate them; tell them you care. Always know what they're doing, set limits and be involved in their lives.

Know! represents a healthy lifestyle choice, and offers kids and parents the facts about the positive benefits of staying substance-free. We hope you will use this information to help the children in your life and share it with others. It's never too early or too late to help our children make the right decisions. Taking care of our children is the hardest, yet most rewarding job we will ever have.

The support and guidance we give to young people today will help determine the kind of adults they become tomorrow.

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