If you're well informed you'll be able to have a proper discussion with your parents on the subject. You might find they know quite a bit and have some useful things to say. But how do you start?

 

Your style might be to shut off and clam up. Just for a change, try to talk it through. Or your parents might not want to a talk about things. Instead of just leaving it, ask them to talk about it, and if they still won't, ask them what they're afraid of. Here's some ideas:

 

• Think about what you want to say and don't get side-tracked

• Keep off sensitive subjects if you are having communication problems with your parents

• Use opportunities, like TV ads or school work to get a discussion going

• Talk about the use of drugs in our society

• Ask about their drug use - tea, coffee, medicines, tobacco without being accusing

• Listen for opportunities to start a discussion

• Try not to automatically react badly to the things they say that usually annoy you