One of the most significant family risk factors for adolescent drug misuse is being born into poverty and living with chronic familial tension and discord. Another family risk factor is having dysfunctional parents who are physically or sexually abusive, who abuse substances, and who have serious mental illnesses. Being in a family where there is little warmth, support, or positive bonding is another risk factor, along with parental nondirectiveness, permissiveness, and inadequate parental supervision. Other risk factors are experiencing the death of a significant adult before a child has reached the age of 11, and living in a neighborhood where there is a significant degree of turmoil and violence. There are also numerous family attributes that can provide support and protection, thus enhancing resiliency. The most important family protective factor may be having an ongoing warm, positive relationship with a caring adult. Other critical family attributes are a home environment that is cohesive and supportive, along with parental expectations that are both realistically high and include values that counter drug use. Having to assume family responsibilities or chores serves as a protective factor, as does positive parental modeling, particularly in the areas of coping skills, educational level, and job satisfaction. Good parenting skills and supervision, supportiveness of youths' competencies and life goals, maintaining family traditions, and having extended family support networks are also significant family protective factors. 52 references