The United States has the highest rate of youthful drug abuse of any industrialized country in the world. There is a growing awareness that drug and alcohol use are closely connected to other problems such as teenage suicide, adolescent pregnancy, traffic fatalities, juvenile delinquency, poor school performance, runaways, and dropouts. Youthful drug abuse is a complex and multifaceted problem that cannot be resolved through simplistic or punitive methods. More drug abuse prevention programs are focusing on an approach called "positive prevention" that follows three key principles: (1) helping young people develop skills (e.g., problem solving, critical thinking, effective communication); (2) encouraging youth to adopt a drug free lifestyle; and (3) the development of a peer group that promotes and practices drug-free living. Parents and adults are important role models and function as examples for young people to emulate. They should arm themselves with basic facts about drug use and work to develop and support community-based prevention programs. The document, available in either English or Spanish, includes a list of 10 tips for parents to practice in their homes. (MD)