Parents who report using illicit drugs: Findings and implications from theDRUGNET study

In recent years, a national discussion has emerged concerning what parents should tell their children about their own past drug use. DRUGNET is an ong oing, on-line survey of successful, healthy, adults who occasionally use il licit drugs. This paper reviews data from a subset of this survey, namely, those respondents who were parents with self-reported use of at least one i llicit drug. The sample (n=325) was predominantly white men who reported ha ving above average education and household incomes. Their mental health as measured by the General Well-being Schedule was similar to the national nor m. Respondents reported using drugs to manage parental stress and expressed concerns over how to communicate with their children and legal risks relat ed to their own drug use. The limitations and the implications of these dat a are discussed.