Celebrate With Care:  Be aware to prevent underage drinking.

Too many of our youth risk their futures by drinking alcohol. Over 42% of 11th grade students reported drinking in the last 30 days, and 29.6% said they had binged.  The good news is that most of our youth make the healthy choice of not drinking.  Communities, parents and friends need to provide clear guidelines to help all our youth make good choices.

Eighty percent of 11th grade students said it was easy or very easy to get alcohol.  Only 37.6% of parents know this.  In the Parent Survey most parents said they would not allow their children to attend parties where alcohol was present, but most are unaware of parties where alcohol is served.  Most parents are also unaware that youth often drink at home or at a friend’s home.  

During the holiday season, Celebrate With Care – provide safe, healthy celebrations for children and youth.  And be the parent – ask your youth about where they will be and provide support for healthy choices.

• Know where your teen will be and ask your youth to call if the location changes.
• Contact the parents of the party-giver to verify occasion, ask if the parent host will be present and if underage alcohol and drug use will not be allowed.
• Know how your teen will get home from the party and make sure they have phone numbers to call.
• Discuss with you teen how to handle a situation where alcohol or other drugs are available, and give them a “code word” to use if they want you to come and get them.
• Make sure your teen knows what time to be home, and have a brief conversation when your teen arrives home.
• If your teen wants to stay overnight with a friend after the party, verify with the friend’s parents that they know and approve the invitation.  Confirm that the parents will be home and awake when the teens arrive.

Have a joyous, safe holiday season