According to the Australian Drug Foundation, nearly three in ten teenagers have had a glass of alcohol in the past year.
Almost 15 per cent of 12 to 17 years old have tried cannabis; while one in 50 has either used cocaine or amphetamines.
While one in five Australians speak a language other than English at home, data from nationwide alcohol and drug treatment services shows that between 2012 and 2013, nearly 87 per cent of their clients were born in Australia.
Kelvin Chambers heads the New South Wales-based Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre, or DAMEC.
Kelvin Chambers says the underrepresentation of migrants may be due to the stigma related to substance use in some culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
He says the pressures of settling into a new country can cause increased drug use.
Theo Chang is National Program Manager and Group Counsellor at Family Drug Support, which guides family members of drug users through difficult times.
He says migrant parents often struggle to come to terms with their loved ones drug addiction.
The Victorian Governments Better Health program says parents should research drugs so that you have the facts and raise you concerns calmly when both parties are relaxed.
They advise not to issue ultimatums, but try to educate children on the health and lifestyle risks of drug use.
