According to a survey conducted by Columbia University's Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), "Almost one in five American teens say they live with 'hands-off' adults who fail to consistently set rules and monitor their behavior. These youth are at a four-times greater risk for smoking, drinking, and illegal drug use than their peers with 'hands-on' parents."

In a survey of 1,000 children in the age group of 12- to 17-year olds, it was found that:

Teens who believe their parents would "not be too upset" if they used marijuana are more than three times as likely to use drugs than those who believe their parents would be "extremely upset."

Likewise, teens with parents who are "very unaware" of their academic performance are almost three times more likely to engage in substance use than their peers whose parents are "very aware" of their school performance.

Joseph A. Califano Jr., president of CASA, remarked that, "Mothers and fathers who are parents rather than pals can greatly reduce the risk of their children smoking, drinking, and using drugs." In addition, he notes that "the family is fundamental to keeping children away from tobacco, alcohol, and drugs."