The discovery of a teen's drug use can create overwhelming fear and concern for parents, but there are no boilerplate best intervention steps. Age, circumstances, the substance used, frequency of use, your child's current school status, and even your family's medical history of risk for dependence on substances can figure into an effective response. There are four key factors to weigh in your response. 1) Avoid the decision to say or do nothing. This includes minimizing the use (e.g., thank goodness it was only pot"), because there is a risk associated with any kind of substance abuse. 2) Assess the situation. Attempt to discover when the drug was used, who it was used with, how it was used, who it was used with, how it was acquired, how much your teen possessed, and the circumstances of use. This assessment process will probably lead you to a decision on how to respond. 3) Consider family goals, standards, values, hopes, expectations, and legal implications. Reflect on them to help craft your response. 4) Do not allow the desire to avoid conflict thwart your better judgement to intervene. Winning this inner battle comes with the territory of parenting. 5) Turn to professional counseling or guidance -- for yourself -- if you are unsure how to respond or believe your intervention was not effective. This step can be a tough one, but may save years, even decades, of anguish.