As another school year approaches, you are no doubt making a back-to-school checklist so that your child can start the school year off right. New shirts, new shoes. Check. Pencils, erasers, notebook paper. Check. Questions to ask your child about drugs and alcohol? Get it on the list!

As you prepare your child for a new school year, it is a must to include conversations about substance use, including your "zero tolerance" stance. Research shows that adolescents are at a higher risk of first-time use during periods of "change," in order to cope with stress. A new school year may bring many new changes: new grade, new school, new teachers, new coaches or new friends. Don’t let these common tween changes cause your child to experiment with substances.

Know! reminds parents and mentors to:

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