Stark County Anti-Drug Coalition
It's illegal to host or allow teen drinking parties in your home. | |
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Stark County Anti-Drug Coalition & Stark County Parents Who Host Lose the Most Committee
A program of Drug-Free Action Alliance with support
from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services
WITH PROM SEASON SPIKE IN ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS,
APRIL'S ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH TAKES ON NEW URGENCY
Spring Critical Time for Urging Parents to Connect with Teens
Each weekend during prom and graduation season, nearly 50 teens are killed in car crashes. That's far too many youths taking unnecessary risks during this time of celebration. From spring break to prom, senior trips to graduation day, there are plenty of opportunities where teens may consider taking risks, especially drinking and illicit drug use. Alcohol Awareness Month in April provides a great opportunity to encourage parents in your community to stay vigilant by connecting with teens and talking to them about the risks of using alcohol or illicit drugs.
Now is the time to reach out to parents and teens in your community and encourage teens to celebrate safely - without alcohol or illicit drugs. While most teens say no to alcohol and illicit drugs, the pressure is on during this season, when teens are ready to party: Six deaths each day - that's the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's estimate of the number of 15- to 20-year-olds that die in alcohol-related crashes.
Nearly 11 million 12- to 20-year-olds admitted they drank alcohol in the past month. And underage drinking hasn't changed much in the past four years. In fact, more than seven million 12- to 20-year-olds engaged in binge drinking in the past month - that's downing five or more drinks in a row. More than four million youths (ages 16-20) reported driving under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs during the past year.
Teens who drink alcohol tend to be illicit drug users as well, and mixing alcohol and illicit drugs, particularly prescription depressants, such as Valium and Xanax, can be extremely dangerous.
Parents are the most powerful influence when it comes to keeping teens away from alcohol and illicit drugs. Teens who are monitored by their parents are less likely to use drugs and engage in other risky behaviors. Help keep spring break, prom, and graduation activities safe by encouraging parents to ask questions about their teens' plans and talk to them about how to say no to alcohol and illicit drugs, while still having a good time.
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Help parents initiate an ongoing dialogue with their teen by directing them to the "Conversations for Parents" section for specific conversation starters: http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/conversations-for-parents.asp. Visit our web site homepage, www.TheAntiDrug.com, for additional information and tips to share with parents. For signs, symptoms and risks of underage alcohol use and the dangers of mixing alcohol, illicit drugs and prescription drugs, please visit: http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_alcohol.asp.
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Order free resources for parents, including Navigating the Teen Years: A Parent's Handbook for Raising Healthy Teens, by calling the Clearinghouse at (800) 788-2800. For more information about talking with teens about alcohol, peer pressure, and warning signs of a drinking problem, please refer to: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's pamphlet, "Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child About Alcohol" Parents Booklet at http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MakeADiff_HTML/MakeAdiff.pdf