2011 Family Dinners Report

CASA Columbia’s 2011 family dinners report finds that compared to teens who have frequent family dinners (five to seven per week), those who have infrequent family dinners (fewer than three per week) are almost four times likelier to use tobacco; more than twice as likely to use alcohol; two-and-a-half times likelier to use marijuana; and almost four times likelier to say they expect to try drugs in the future.

The report also finds that teen perceptions of their sibling(s) substance use is related to their own substance use. Compared to teens who do not believe their older sibling or siblings have ever tried an illegal drug, teens who believe their sibling(s) have are:

• More than five-and-a-half times likelier to use tobacco;
• Almost three times likelier to use alcohol;
• Six-and-a-half times likelier to use marijuana; and
• More than three times likelier to expect to try drugs (including marijuana and prescription drugs without a prescription to get high) in the future.

For media inquiries, please contact Lauren Duran at lduran@casacolumbia.org or 212-841-5260.