Underage
drinking often increases during prom, graduation parties, and at summer
celebrations. Parents
can support each other by not providing alcohol to minors.
Encourage other parents to do the same. Support alcohol-free celebrations
that involve youth.
PARENTS
play an important role in impacting underage drinking:
- Parents
have a valuable opportunity to influence young people's choices. What parents
say and do about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use is the most important
variable affecting young people's alcohol use.
- Many
parents feel undermined by other parents who allow their children to drink.
- Parents
can support each other by obeying the law by not providing alcohol to minors
and encouraging others to do the same.
- Parents'
greatest prevention tool is to connect with other parents. Adult peer pressure
can be powerful!
- Take
an active role in preventing underage drinking by knowing your child's friends'
parents, discussing common expectations, and helping each other maintain them.
- Parents
can provide their children refusal skills. Make it a habit to greet your child
when they arrive home at night. If they are aware that mom or dad will be
waiting for them when they get home, they can more easily refuse alcohol,
tobacco, and other drugs.
The
facts:
- Teen
alcohol use is illegal. It is against the law for anyone under the age of
21 to possess or consume alcohol.
- Teen
alcohol use is dangerous. Statistics show that teens who drink are more likely
to be involved in a car crash, get into a fight, have unwanted or unsafe sex,
drown while intoxicated, experience problems at school, damage significant
relationships, and retard intellectual and emotional growth.
- Teen
alcohol use happens. Their primary source is adults: older friends, siblings,
and parents. It is against the law for adults to provide alcohol to teenagers.
Studies show children who are allowed to drink at home are more likely to
drink outside the home.
Mary's
letter (2-page, 11kb pdf)
Mary is a mom who lives in Bloomington. Her daughter graduated
from high school last year and... well, it's easier to read in her own words.
Alcohol-free
celebration stickers (based on 8-1/2 x 11" label
paper, 30 labels per page)
One
way to let others know your celebration is going to be alcohol free, without
making a huge statement, is to use stickers. The following are examples you
can use as you send out invitations to summer celebrations. Attach them to the
envelope or to the invitation...whatever makes sense to you!
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