- Underage alcohol use is more likely to kill young
people than all illegal drugs combined.
- 63 percent of the youth who drink alcohol say that they
initially got the alcohol from their own or a friend’s home.
- There is zero tolerance in the law for underage
drinking and driving. That means a blood alcohol level
of even 0.01% is breaking the law if you are under 21
and driving!
- 900 lives are saved each year nationally because
of the minimum drinking age law of 21.
- Teens from families that regularly eat together are 33%
less likely to use alcohol.
- According to teens, parents
are the #1 influence in their
teens's lives.
- Sharing values and family
history regarding alcohol will
create an environment of trust
and understanding.
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- Foster an environment of open communication with
your child and encourage open dialogue.
- Set an example. Many messages in our society
glorify or trivialize the effects of alcohol and other drugs.
Counter these messages whenever you get a chance.
- Parents tend to underestimate the number of teens using
alcohol or other drugs, while teens tend to overestimate
the number. The belief that "my child would never engage
in risky behaviors" is a risky belief.
- Give clearly defined rules and expectations
about alcohol and other drug use, with consistent and
appropriate consequences for breaking those rules.
- Keep track of any alcohol and prescription medications
you have at your home. Home is the most common place
for teens to obtain alcohol and pharmaceuticals.
- Talk with your teens about the consequences of
advertising or posting party information on the internet
or any other medium. If a party at your house gets
"out of control," call the police and they will help you
break it up.
- Contact other parents who host parties or events in
their home to make sure underage drinking will not occur.
- If you observe an adolescent under the influence of drugs
or alcohol, stop them if they attempt to drive and
make every effort to contact their parent or guardian.
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