their teen's risk of substance abuse, according to a new survey of 2,000 teens and 1,000 parents released today by The National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA).

In its first analysis of family structure and substance abuse risk, the CASA survey found that children living in two-parent families who have a fair or poor relationship with their father are at 68% higher risk of smoking, drinking and using drugs compared to all teens living in a two-parent household.

The average teen living in a household headed by a single mother is at 30% higher risk compared to all teens in a two-parent household.

To appreciate the importance of the child's relationship with the father in a two-parent family, Califano pointed out that children growing up in a home headed by a single mother who have an excellent relationship with their mother are at 62% lower risk of abusing substances than children in a two-parent family with a fair or poor relationship with their father.

CASA's survey reveals that teens consistently rate moms more favourably than dads: 71% of teens report having an excellent or very good relationship with mom; only 58% have such a relationship with dad.

More than twice as many teens say it's easier to talk to mom than dad about drugs (57% vs. 26%).

Twice as many teens who never used marijuana credit mom as credit dad with their decision (29% vs.13%).

While 45% of teens have discussed drugs with both parents, almost four times as many teens had such discussions with mom alone (15%) than with dad alone (4%).

Teens are three times more likely to rely solely on mom than solely on dad when they have important decisions to make (27% vs. 9%).

45% of teens say mom is more demanding in terms of grades, homework and personal behaviour; 39% say dads are more demanding.

This is a wake-up call for every dad in America,said CASA president and former US secretary of health, education and welfare Joseph A. Califano Jr.

It's time for every father in America to look in the mirror and ask: How often do I eat meals with my children? Take them to religious services? Help with their homework? Attend their games and extracurricular activities? Join mom in monitoring my teen's conduct, praising and disciplining them? Contributed by CADA.

DRUGS DGS