Nearly every child will be offered drugs or alcohol before graduating high school. The good news is that a child who gets to age twenty-one without smoking, using drugs, or abusing alcohol is virtually certain never to do so ... and informed parents have the power to influence their kids to choose not to use. This give parents a realistic picture of the world their teens confront and the tools to help them get through adolescence healthy and drug free. Based on research at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, this book answers the daunting questions parents across the country have repeatedly asked.

In a nation where an estimated 25 percent of high-school seniors use illegal substances on a monthly basis, parents are wise to be concerned about setting their children on a drug-free course. While much advice handed out these days focuses on teen behavior and on what to do once drugs have become a problem in the home, Raising Drug-Free Kids takes an innovative approach and focuses instead on preventative measures that can be followed early on in a child's life. Developmental psychologist and parent educator Aletha Solter provides parents with simple, easy-to use tools to build a solid foundation for children to say "no" to drugs. Organized by age group, from preschool through young adulthood, the handy 100 tips will show parents how to help their children to: Feel good about themselves without an artificial high. Cope with stress so they won't turn to drugs to relax. Respect their bodies so they will reject harmful substances. Have close family connections so they won't feel desperate to belong to a group. Take healthy risks (like outdoor adventures) so they won't need to take dangerous ones.

Proven techniques for preventing alcohol and drug abuse among children and teens.

A program for fostering positive relationship-building habits in children to help alleviate and even prevent childhood depression Raising an Optimistic Child offers you tools for creating a positive, supportive family atmosphere that helps children who are already depressed and can even prevent this crippling disorder. Steps and additional techniques will help you combat your own depression, tackle parental issues, and enhance learning and coping skills. It also alerts you to circumstances that put a child at risk for depression and suggests ways to ward it off.

Common sense, years of teaching, and a basic belief in character education make this book a perfect handbook for teachers and parents. It's also a great gift for parents and anyone who comes in contact with young people, from counselors to youth-group leaders. In her 33 years as a teacher, counselor and administrator, author Dr. Helen LeGette has learned that children who have guidance in the home and whose parents set high expectations for their character have a greater chance to succeed in school and in their careers. Parents, Kids and Character has found thousands of fans in teachers, administrators, and parents across the country.