Home should be a safe place. Except when it's not. A parent who's a substance abuser. Or abuser. Or both. A neighborhood—or school—that's unsafe. This section gives you strategies and resources to help teens avert danger.
Addressing drug and alcohol peer pressure
We often think that kids pressure other kids into trying tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. But the reality is that kids tend to start using to avoid feeling different or being left out. More
Are they safe at home?
Children experiencing domestic violence live in perpetual fear. In fact, domestic violence and child abuse often go hand in hand. The repercussions of experiencing this can last for years, as children who are exposed to violence and are victims of violence are more likely to become bullies or engage in acts of violence and aggression themselves. More
Everyday Mentor Skill Building
Being an everyday mentor is not an inborn skill where you either have "it" or you don't. Instead, like most things in life, it can take practice to build the skills important when acting as an everyday mentor. Here are a few ideas to help you get started. More
What if parents are using?
More than 1 in 10 children under the age of 18 live with a substance-dependent or substance-abusing parent. Children of addicted parents often have a very limited social life. The lack of a social life is one void that mentors are ideally suited to help fill. More
When the community itself is unsafe
Some communities have organized systems involving police and social workers to respond to youth who are exposed to violence—but many do not. As a caring adult, you can be a powerful preventive influence against gang membership. But be aware that kids are subject to other forces that are hard to resist. More