Inner-city mothers (N=86) and their 8- to 12-year-old children completed a 60-minute interview on the consequences of drug use, and overall concepts of health. A 15-minute conversation between mother and child regarding health was taped and coded for content and nature of the messages exchanged. Mothers and children also independently completed questionnaires on family interaction and long-term education and training goals for the child. Participants described their family units as having definite rule systems enforced by strict punishment. Mothers were unanimous in rating completion of school, being drug free, and not trying drugs as very important for their child's future. Appropriate drug use, nutrition, and exercise were the key components of mothers' personal definitions of health given to their children. Both mothers and children relied primarily on statements of value and questions to communicate to each other about health issues. Few significant positive correlations were found between mothers' and children's perceptions of the consequences of drug use, education and training goals, or family dynamics. Despite apparent attempts to communicate, these mothers were at substantial odds with their children on consequences of drug use and life goals. The results of the study suggest that there are real possibilities for parent-child preventive education on health at least in terms of parent's receptiveness. (ABL)