Do parents have any influence over their children when it comes to illicit drug, alcohol and tobacco use? A recently released report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals that parents possess the power to prevent their teens’ substance abuse. However, the report reveals that more than one in five parents think they have little influence in stopping teens from using illicit substances.

The report also found that one in ten parents said they did not talk to their kids about the dangers of illicit drug use, alcohol and tobacco. Interestingly, 67.6 percent of these parents who had not talked with their kids thoughts they would impact whether their kid uses drugs if they spoke to him or her.

The report contends that numerous national surveys of kids ages 12 to 17 show that teens who believe their parents would strongly disapprove of their substance use were less likely to use illicit drugs, tobacco or alcohol than others. For example, surveys reveal that marijuana use is less prevalent among kids who believe that their parents would strongly disapprove of their experimentation with the drug than among kids who did not perceive this type of condemnation.

SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde says that surveys of kids over and over again show that parents have a powerful influence over their teens’ approach to illicit drug, alcohol and tobacco use. Hyde posits that parents need to be aware of the impact conversations about substance use have on their kids’ health and overall well-being. She contends that parents should have age-appropriate discussions about substance use with their kids at all stages of their development.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, illicit drug use among teens has continued at high rates. In fact, marijuana use has been on the rise since the mid-to-late 2000s. In 2012, 6.5 percent of 8th graders, 17.0 percent of 10th graders, and 22.9 percent of 12th graders smoked marijuana in the past month. In 2007, only 14.2 percent of 10th graders and 18.8 percent of 12th graders had used marijuana in the past month. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that daily use of marijuana has also increased.

Have you talked to your kids about illicit drug, alcohol and tobacco use? Does this report make you want to talk to your kids more frequently about substance use? Sound off in the comments section.