Research indicates that parents, grandparents, elders, foster parents, youth leaders, coaches, and other role models can play a major role in helping young people avoid substance abuse. This booklet provides caregivers with guidelines for communicating with youth about these potential problems. It is geared to the parents or guardians of 7-to-13 year olds, but the material and exercises can also work for different age groups. The booklet is divided into five sections, based on the five reasons that young people give for using alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana-- to feel grown up, to fit in, to relax and feel good, to take risks and rebel, and to satisfy curiosity. Each section provides background on each reason, information on how adults can help, and exercises to share with children. For caretakers who presently use alcohol or who have tried marijuana or other illegal substances, this guide provides information that can help in steering children away from the use of these substances. The suggestions provided here give guiding principles for communicating with youth; caretakers should use their own words when speaking to their children. A list of additional resources that adults can draw upon are included. (GCP)