There are many reasons why children start using drugs, among them:

• Alcohol, the substance most commonly abused by teens, is widely available and heavily advertised.
• Children are heavily influenced by peer pressure. They may think they have to do drugs to fit in at school.
• Foster children born into chemically dependent families have been exposed to substance abusing role models.
• Foster children may have a genetic vulnerability to dependence. Children of alcoholics are two to five times more likely to become alcoholics.

There are some things you can do that will help your children avoid turning to drugs:

• Help them develop the ability to make decisions for themselves. Activities like Exploring Alternatives will help your children think about the consequences of their actions and make better decisions.
• Improve your children's self concept. Children who feel good about themselves are less likely to turn to an alternative reality.
• Provide healthy alternatives. Children involved in school clubs, sports, church activities, or Scouts have less time to get bored and start looking for trouble.

Finally, look into Foster Parent Resources for Substance Abuse Treatment for additional information.