The transition from childhood to adolescence is a time of special, and sometimes painful, development and change for young girls. Studies show that girls tend to lose self-confidence and self-worth during this pivotal age, becoming less physically active, performing less well in school, and neglecting their own interests and aspirations. It's during these years that girls become newly vulnerable to negative outside influences and to mixed messages about risky behaviors. This is a very important time for the adults in young girls' lives to give them love and support and reassure them that they are not alone. By helping girls develop skills and confidence, you lower their chances of becoming involved in high-risk activities that can limit their life opportunities. Girl Power! focuses on preventing alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use and promoting physical activity, proper nutrition, and good mental health.

The following are some ways to encourage Girl Power! in your daughters, granddaughters, nieces, students, sisters, and any other young girls in your life:

*Believe in girls and their abilities by positively reinforcing their attempts as well as their achievements. Encourage them to express their opinions, feelings, and beliefs in positive ways rather than unhealthy, risky behaviors.

*Talk with girls and listen. Be open in your discussions and if you disagree with some of their ideas, discuss your concerns rather than ignoring the issues. By keeping an open line of communication you are letting them know that they can turn to you in times of trouble and need. Showing girls that you respect them as individuals and care about their views encourages respect for themselves.

*Get involved in girls' education. Encourage girls to see difficult subjects as exciting challenges they can overcome rather than as impossible tasks. Share stories of the difficulties you went through in school so that they see that they are not the only ones who have ever had problems with their schoolwork. Encourage communication with their teachers and counselors and offer to help them with their schoolwork.

*Help girls develop a positive body image by encouraging healthy lifelong habits such as eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. Be aware that most girls are very much influenced by society's views of "beauty" and "perfect" bodies. As a result of this influence, too many girls develop eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia in their attempts to achieve these "perfect" looks. Let girls know that models and stars have teams of professional make-up artists, hair stylists, and personal trainers to help them look the way they do! Encourage girls to respect their own bodies rather than abuse them by going on unhealthy diets, exercising excessively, or being physically inactive.

*Help girls understand that drugs are illegal, dangerous, and harmful. Always be very clear with your "no use" expectations. Let them know that by using these substances, they not only can hurt themselves now, but also could experience long-term effects keeping them from healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives.

*Help girls get the necessary tools to make good decisions and resist peer pressure to use alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs or to participate in other risky activities. By helping girls develop skills in critical thinking and communications, and building solid relationships, you help empower them to navigate successfully through adolescence.

*Help girls develop critical thinking and questioning skills by taking time to watch TV or listen to music with them. Discuss the images shown and messages given and how these can affect the way a person thinks and behaves. This will teach them to question what they see and hear and to learn how to form their own opinions.

*Actively support girls' goals by providing as many opportunities as you can for them to participate in sports, the arts, and other activities such as neighborhood youth groups, faith groups, and volunteer organizations. In this way you will help them explore their interests, learn new skills, make new friends, and become competent and confident people.

*Plan special activities with girls you know that you can do together, and include their friends when possible. This will not only strengthen the bonds between you, but will also enable you to get to know their friends and peers.

*Get involved! Bring Girl Power! information to your volunteer organization, faith group, and place of employment to help raise awareness in all sectors of your community about the needs and concerns of young girls. Volunteer your time to mentor a young girl. Remember, girls need positive role models to help them learn how to develop their Girl Power!

For information about alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs, make a FREE telephone call to SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686.