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Tackling the Tough Stuff
How to Talk to Your Teenage Son By Shel Franco
iP: If parents discover that their teen is already experimenting with sex, drugs and alcohol, what should be their first step in addressing the issue?
I'm not a health care professional and so I can't answer this question. But I would recommend the parent make an appointment to talk with the kid's pediatrician to get advice and develop a strategy. Sex, drugs and alcohol are all problems that are associated with health and can potentially put a kid at risk. Your doctor may have some good advice for you. In addition, your boy may need to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases; he may 
also need help with substance abuse. He may need to be referred to a counselor or psychologist.
At the same time, the parent can ask the pediatrician for a referral to a good parenting class for parents of adolescents taught by an expert in the field. A good parenting class provides support for the parent as well as insight into teens and ideas on how to improve communication.
Meanwhile, I would recommend a parent spend quality time with his or her boy, plan to have family meals together, plan some fun outings. Keep tabs on who he's hanging out with and where he's going. How much free time does he have unsupervised? Are there school or community-sponsored activities that you can hook him up with so that he can be physically active and develop his talents and interests?
Let him know how much he's loved and how concerned you are about his health and well-being. Talk about your feelings about sex, drugs and alcohol and the risks that are related to these things. Don't play games here. And don't get into denial mode. There's too much on the line, too much at risk. Recognize that you may need help dealing with the issues and that help is available. Take advantage of the resources that are out there for you.