Parent Survey conducted by South Bay Families Connected - 2016 Executive Summary

If you are concerned with helping your teen avoid drugs and alcohol, you are not alone! Of 187 parents surveyed, 78% were either very or extremely concerned as well. 

Read more about what parents had to say below:

  • 45% report they have a zero tolerance policy, while 53% report that they discourage drinking and drug use and set boundaries, but acknowledge that experimentation may happen

  • Parents report experiencing the following challenges now, or anticipate experiencing them in the future (all that apply):

    • Approaching a friend whose child is having issues (41%)

    • Being able to discern if their kid is having issues (40%)

    • Being too strict and jeopardizing their relationship with their teen/pre-teen (31%)

  • Parents were rarely concerned with the following: (all that apply)

    • Feeling judged by others for their parenting philosophy (8%)

    • Not having access to effective parenting resources (10%)

  • Parents anticipated the biggest challenges for their teen/pre-teen as (all that apply)

    • Being pressured by her/his peer group (69%)

    • Being harmed by alcohol or drug induced behaviors of others (62%)

    • Feeling isolated if they do not “party” or use drugs or alcohol (55%)

  • Parents most wanted the following resources (all that apply):

    • Drug and alcohol-free activities for teens (70%)

    • Social ordinance laws that prohibit adults from providing alcohol to teens (67%)

    • Parent and teen prevention workshops/series (58%)

    • School assemblies (53%)

    • School counselors (52%)

  • Parents were most likely to turn to the following for information or advice if they were concerned that their teen might be developing a drug or alcohol problem (respondents checked all that apply):

    • An independent practitioner specializing in teens (66%)

    • The family doctor or therapist (65%)

    • A friend (53%)

    • An outpatient treatment center (47%)

  • For treatment, parents reported they would turn to the following:

    • A local outpatient treatment center (50%)

    • An independent chemical dependency counselor in the community (43%)

  • Over 50% of parents reported being either very or extremely concerned with South Bay teens’ use of each of the following:

    • Alcohol (74%)

    • Marijuana (66%)

    • Rx pill misuse (63%)

    • Synthetic marijuana (61%)

    • Opiates (51%).

  • Over 70% of parents were either very or extremely concerned with the following alcohol-related behaviors. We report only the “extremely concerned” below (all are over 70% when combined with the “very concerned” numbers):

    • Riding with a driver under the influence (68% extremely)

    • Drinking and driving themselves (68%)

    • Other parents supplying alcohol (58%)

    • Unsupervised parties (52%)

  • Over 60% of parents were either very or extremely concerned with the following marijuana-related behaviors. We report only the “extremely concerned” below (all are over 60% when combined with the “very concerned” numbers):

    • Riding with a driver under the influence of marijuana (63%)

    • Using marijuana and driving (61%)

    • The high potency and new strains of marijuana (58%)

    • Parents supplying marijuana (46%)

    • Use becoming habitual (44%)

    • The ease of access (41%)

  • ·54% of parents reported that they did not know whether or not there were enough teen alcohol and drug use education and counseling services/programs at their school.