The discussion addresses parental influences on adolescent drug use, problem drug use as well as only use, the families of problem drug users, and educating parents to be drug educators. Parents are powerful role models for children of drug using behavior and attitudes. Further, the quality of the parent-child relationship emerges as a particularly important family factor associated with adolescent drug use or abuse. Specific family factors which can adversely affect the parent-child relationship include: lack of family cohesiveness and parental affection, poor communication and coping skills, and inconsistent parenting. Any drug prevention strategy aimed at parents needs to reinforce their confidence. One way to accomplish this is to give parents real information about drugs. Programs directed at parents also need to concentrate on increasing their nurturing and parenting skills, improving their coping strategies, and generally helping to strengthen the family. 30 references (Author abstract modified)