The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University has offered suggestions to schools, parents and students for reducing substance abuse among young people. The Center has also released statistics on drug and alcohol-related issues.

"[For parents], Talk with your children about substance use from an early age and continue these conversations through college. Have a comprehensive discussion about substance use - its risks, your expectations, and the consequences you will enforce should they violate the rules - during the summer before their departure to college."

Statistics released by the Center include the following: 49 percent of full-time college students binge drink and/or abuse prescription and illegal drugs, 22.9 percent of full-time college students meet the medical criteria for substance abuse and dependence. The study also reports that these numbers have not significantly changed in the last twelve years.

Learn more about binge drinking and other types of teen drug use at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: awareness, parents, prevention