The Governor's Prevention Partnership

(WTNH) - The 2009 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and distributed in Connecticut by The Governor's Prevention Partnership, found that teenage girls are more likely than teenage boys to perceive potential benefits from drug use and drinking, making teen girls more vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse.

The results heavily suggest that teenagers - specifically teen girls - are drinking and getting high to deal with problems at home, academic pressure and general stress.

The PATS data also point to upswings in use of drugs that teens are likely to encounter at parties and in other social situations, with noteworthy and dramatic increases in alcohol use among girls.

What Parents Can Do:
- Work on having an open, trusting relationship with your teenager and keep the lines of communication open so he or she can vent to you regularly.
- Find time every day to spend with your teen so that you can observe and really understand the stressors he or she is facing.
- Monitor the expectations that you place on your son or daughter. While high expectations are important, unrealistic expectations can add to his or her stress.
- Know where your teen is at all times, especially after school, and make it a point to meet the parents of his or her friends.
- Have regular discussions about drugs and alcohol, maintain a "no use" policy in your home and never serve alcohol to minors.