|
Drunk Driving Prevention
| Previous |
Tips for Youth
- It is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to drink alcohol if you are under-21.
- If you have respect for yourself, your friends will respect your right to be you. Respect yourself enough not to do something you know is not right.
- To be treated like an adult, you have to act like one. This means following the rules your parent/guardian establishes for you, obeying the law and making responsible decisions.
- Alcohol is just a temporary solution to your problems. If you have a problem, find someone to talk to such as a friend, a sibling or a teacher.
- Involve yourself in positive actives.
- Not everyone drinks. On college campuses, less than 40% of young people drink.
- Encourage your school/community organizations to host alcohol and drug-free activities.
- Be a leader, not a follower.
- Work with groups in your area to spread the message that it is cool to be sober.
- Choosing not to drink does not make your less "cool" than others. It is a sign of self-pride and maturity.
- Never ride with a drunk driver. The driver may seem okay to drive but do not risk your life; take the person's keys if necessary.
- Remember alcohol lessens inhibitions. You could do something you do not want to do which could ruin a bright and promising future.
Tips for Parents Parents often underestimate their role in preventing underage drinking. In reality, parents can do a great deal to shape their children's beliefs and behavior regarding underage drinking. Following are just a few tips:
- Don't wait until your children are teenagers to start talking with them about alcohol. Begin shaping their attitudes early, especially because alcohol use often starts in middle school. Instead of lecturing, use "teachable moments" to talk about the issue such as television shows, newspaper articles, music or conversations you overhear among your children and their friends.
- Establish and enforce rules against underage drinking. Be clear and consistent in the rules and the consequences for violating the rules.
- Be a positive role model. Make sure that your behavior is appropriate and that you are a responsible host. Remember, what you do counts far more than what you say.
- Do not try to be your child's best friend. This will clarify your roles and responsibilities as a parent.
- Teach your child that not giving into peer pressure to drink is a sign of maturity and self-respect.
- Know all your teen's friends and the parents of those friends. Find out where those parents stand on underage drinking.
- Persuade your child from thinking "everyone" is drinking. Tell them the majority of young people do not drink.
- Keep alcohol, tobacco products and prescription drugs out of the reach of children too young to understand that they should not use them.
- Be certain that children have plenty of appealing, alcohol-free activities in safe, monitored areas.
- Encourage and praise your children for the good things they do. Participate in their lives and know what they are doing and with whom.
- If you suspect that your child is drinking, don't stick your head in the sand. Talk to your child, and secure qualified professional help if necessary.
- If you discover that your child is intoxicated, don't try to confront the child then. First, check to make sure that the child is safe. If the child's breathing is slow or irregular or if they exhibit any signs of alcohol poisoning, get emergency medical assistance immediately. When your child is sober, talk to your child about drinking. Obtain qualified professional help from a counselor, therapist or physician if you think your child is a problem drinker or if you want to have your child assessed to determine if he or she is a problem drinker.
- If you are going out of town, have a responsible adult stay at your house.
- If your child is having a party, host the party around a theme. Keep the guest list short and invite only teens you know. Specify all rules before you begin the party including the starting and ending times. Circulate regularly during the parties, checking all rooms of the house and yard.
- If your child is attending at party at another home, call the parents to make sure alcohol is not allowed and that they will be home during the event. Get caller ID on your phone and require that your child call from their destination on the house phone and not a cellular phone. Don't be afraid to drive by and check it out.
- Take with your neighborhood association about strategies to deal with underage drinking parties in the neighborhood.
- Call the police if you witness underage drinking.
Tips for Communities
- Use community centers/halls to host non-alcohol parties for under-21 youth in your area. Specify all rules before you begin the party including starting and ending times. Circulate regularly during the party, checking all rooms of the center and the parking lot. Do not allow young people to leave and re-enter.
- Establish a citizen hotline to report underage drinking parties to police departments and alcohol beverage (ABC) agencies.
- Work with local law enforcement and ABC personnel to enforce underage drinking laws.
- Testify in public hearings on the importance of strong underage drinking laws.
- Work with parents and community groups to share information and coordinate activities. Publicize liquor establishments that continually sell to underage youth in a community newsletter, flyers and the newspaper.
- Volunteer to work with youth at teen centers and after-school programs to help them develop peer leadership and peer pressure resistance skills.
- Create and sponsor mini-grants for use by student groups and schools for prevention activities. Local businesses can provide funds.
- Write letters to the editor on the need for more attention to the issue of underage drinking.
- Send letters congratulating the local police department on their underage drinking enforcement efforts.
- Sponsor "Parent Pledges" which indicate no alcohol is allowed in the home by youth under-21.
Tips for Schools
- Establish a firm "no use" policy for participation in all team activities. Enforce the policy with no exceptions.
- Use school cafeteria/gymnasium to host non-alcohol parties for high school students. Rotate these events throughout the school year and in the summer to different schools in your area.
- Circulate regularly during parties, check all halls and parking lot. Do not let any student leave and re-enter. Admit students with school identification from your area.
- Film the school's football and basketball games. Host a party following the game and show the game film. Showing the film will serve as an attraction for athletes and others.
- Host "open gym" or "lock ins" for area youth at your high school.
- Work with your local law enforcement officials to educate youth on the legal consequences of underage drinking.
- Develop media literacy training in your school to educate young people about the effects of alcohol advertising.
- Develop creative ways to convey the "no use" message, i.e., drama club, drunk driving simulator.
- Sponsor competitions among youth such as posters, songs, videos that focus on solutions to underage drinking.
- Develop and coordinate education programs aimed at parents and/or guardians regarding underage drinking issues.
- Sponsor "Parent Pledges" which indicate no alcohol is allowed for under-21 youth. Distribute these addresses to your local PTA.
- Produce a calendar which lists positive alternatives for students.
- Recognize students who have done an outstanding job in underage drinking prevention and education.
- Develop and promote programs which increase self-esteem, leadership skills and individual responsibility.
Prom Night Tips for Parents The Century Council and the American School Counselors have developed the following prom night tips for parents.
- Make sure your child has a plan for the evening and that you know it.
- Work with the school to have food served during the prom.
- Know all of the "hot spot" destinations.
- Take stock of the alcohol in your home.
- Know who is driving - if it's a limo, check their policy on allowing alcohol in the vehicle.
- Discuss the school's prom rules with your child and the consequences for violating them.
- Encourage seat belt use - the best accessory!
- Do not rent hotel rooms for prom goers.
- Communicate with other parents and school officials.
- Stay up for prom-goer's return home.
| Previous |
Click here to read other articles from the Federal Trade Commission.
Copyright © National Commission Against Drunk Driving (NCADD). Visit their website for more informative tips. "Prom Night Tips for Parents:" Copyright © The Century Council. Reprinted with permission.
|
