Drugs, Alcohol and Others Risky Behaviors

Making a decision about sex is never easy for kids. There are many things that influence their decision... If they are using alcohol and other drugs, their ability to make any decisions is affected. Teens who drink alcohol and use drugs are more likely to be sexually active. When teens were asked in a survey whether they were drinking or using drugs the last time they had sex, 25 percent of them said "yes." Teens who drink are seven times more likely than teens who don't drink to have had sex. And teens who use drugs are five times more likely to have had sex. And one in five young adolescents (aged 12-14) report they have been at a party in the past six months with boys and girls where there were no adults in the house. So when you're talking about sex, also talk about other health risks like alcohol, tobacco, drugs, violence and parties.