Parents & "the talk"

For the teens on here, how did your parents handle(or not), the talk about alcohol and drugs?
When I see the TV ads telling us "all you have to do is tell your children, drugs are bad, or drinking is dangerous", I want to barf.
Do these "just say no " campaigns really believe it's that simple?
Information is helpful, but peer pressure and curiosity are strong influences.
What can parents do(if anything)to help?

My parents have never given me an anti drugs and drinking talk. If they had I would probs have tried both!

They say if I want to do drugs then I can, but take a look around, and see who's doing them...'Losers'
and My dad wants me to drink more, so when i go out when im older i want end up getting off my face, and attacked...but my mum isnt to keen on the idea of me drinking,

My parents let me drink well under age, on the theory that I would be more sensible when I hit 18.... and I guess it worked

I know my limits and I would never drink to the point of putting myself in danger They never gave me a 'talk' on drink or drugs, or sex for that matter

But it didn't do me any harm... they know if they tell me to do something I do the opposite... can't be proved wrong see... I'm so stubborn

i never had that talk. I saw one of those commercials with my mom one time. She thought it was stupid and laughed. While laughing she told me not to drink or do drugs, just to see if it worked. I don't do drugs or (a lot) of drinking.
There's also that commercial about the girl that's lazy and boring because she's been doing drugs. I know tons of people who do drugs, and they are far from boring.

It depends on the person (the child's) attitude and their personality.

My parents never gave me the talk but i've been mature (perhaps too mature) enough to know my limits and what can happen. Parental guidance can only go so far, the kids really should find out themselves what the causes are and what can happen.

My parents never had the 'talk' with me, so I wouldn't know.

I will give you one thought on it though: of all my friends, the ones with the healthiest attitude to drugs and alcohol were the ones whose parents had allowed (or even encouraged) them to drink or smoke pot from their early teens.

I guess where the theory fails...

Didn't have THE talk. My dad told my mom he knows everything he needs to and that was that. And really I did know everything.

I never really had a talk on it.

My mother let me drink at home from way before I could in the pub, and it did mean that I got less pissed than some of my mates when I was with them. I suppose drinking with your parents before your mates does mean that you have a much better idea of your limits and when you should stop.

It's very simple, I listen to what my parents say and not argue because most of the darn time they're so right. Besides why would you want to drink and take drugs, thats just sooooo! bad.

Thanks for the info everybody

90% of us can drink safely and will do so with or without parents consent or knowledge.
I wish they would use the money spent on the dopey ads for treatment
8)

I honestly don't remember what my parents said about drugs and alcohol, but it must have worked because I've never tried any kind of drug and I hardly ever drink that much

My mother pretty said "do what you want. If you want to destroy your brain, take drugs. You want to stuff up your lungs - smoke, I won't stop you. You want to have sex? Great, but I'm not bringing the child up - it'll be your responsibility if you're stupid."

I've never so much as had a drag on a cigarette, and never taken drugs. I held off on sex longer than most people. I have drank to excess though, and that's the one thing that my mother tried to limit. A psychology lesson in there perhaps?

Well, we'd be sitting around watching TV, and a commercial would come on for "Just Say No!" or something, and my dad turned to me and would say something like, "Don't f*ckin' do drugs; you're not some n*gger b*tch."
He's a real nice guy, my dad, see.
I had friends who messed themselves up on drugs; I already knew w/o daddy's great words of wisdom not to take that s***.

I have always informed my kids of the facts as i know them and let them make their own decisions on things in life. I also never did what i see lots of parents do- i never have forgotten how it is being their age & i don't pretend that i was a "saint" at their age either.

I REALLY hate dishonest parents.

I've done a pretty damn good job too- they're adjusting to "adult" life well.