No parent wants to believe that his or her child is using drugs. But studies show that the rates of drug use among young people remain at high levels in the United States.

A 2001 survey found that about 50 percent of eighth-graders have tried alcohol and about one-third has smoked cigarettes. And a nationwide study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2001 found that 42 percent of high school students used marijuana during their lifetime. In fact, marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug by U.S. youth, experts say, and children and teens who experiment with marijuana, alcohol and tobacco are more likely to develop drug problems later in life.

The message is clear: The sooner you educate your children about drugs, the more likely they are to stay away from them. The following tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics will help you keep your child drug-free:

* Talk and listen. Don’t wait to have “the drug talk” with your child. Make discussions about tobacco, alcohol and other drugs part of your daily conversation. Know the facts about how drugs can harm your child and clear up any wrong information, such as “everybody drinks” or “marijuana won’t hurt you.” Don’t give long lectures or do all the talking. Encourage your child to share their questions and concerns.

* Be a good example. Actions speak louder than words. Look at your own habits and thoughts about tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

* Develop your child’s self-confidence. Look for all the good things in your child–then tell your child how proud you are. Praise your child’s efforts as well as successes. If you need to correct your child, criticize the action, not your child.

* Help your child develop strong values. Talk about your family values and teach your child how to make decisions based on these standards of right and wrong. Explain that these are the standards for your family, no matter what other families might decide. Spell out what will happen if your child breaks the rules and be prepared to follow through.

* Teach your child to deal with peer pressure. Help your children understand that they don’t have to do something wrong just to feel accepted. Remind them that a real friend won’t care if they don’t use drugs.

* Encourage healthy activities. Involve your child in athletics, school clubs and hobbies that reduce boredom and excess free time. Look for activities that you and your child can do together.