Family meals aren't the only way to up the odds that your teen won't turn to drugs or alcohol, said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. Here is his advice:

• Start the anti-drug conversations early. "The average age of first drug use is 14," he said. For help in how to do that, visit www.drugfree.org or www.timetotalk.org.
• Don't think "one big talk" is all that's needed to steer kids away from substance abuse. "You need to be having a series of frequent, brief conversations," he said. "Your kids are faced with the drug issue on a day-in, day-out basis."
• Know who your kids hang with. And know their parents, Pasierb added, to the degree possible. Know where you child goes from after school until dinner if there isn't a parent at home.
• Take advantage of "teachable moments." Suppose you're riding in the car with the radio on, with your teen, and news about the latest Hollywood star or pro athlete to enter rehab comes on. Don't lecture. Instead, Pasierb suggests, ask: "What do you think about that?" If you listen to the answer, you will begin to understand your child's views and challenges.