Back-to-school time presents middle-schoolers and teenagers with new routines, new friends, new stresses, and new social situations (football games, Homecoming, Halloween parties) where they’ll have easy access to alcohol, announced Healthy Novato this week.
“It’s an important time for adults to talk frankly with young people about the risks of underage drinking, and reinforce clear no-use rules about alcohol,” said Healthy Novato Project Director Katie Keating. “Parents, teachers, and other caring adults can have a big influence on young people’s abilities to resist alcohol and make smart choices for their health and well-being.”
Most parents understand it’s not okay for youth to have alcohol, Keating stressed. “Drinking is worse for young people for several reasons,” she said. “First, alcohol is a factor in most teen car crashes, and committing or being the victim of violence. Second, it seriously impacts the developing brain, potentially causing irreversible brain damage and impacting memory, attention, and other important functions. Starting young with alcohol is correlated with poor school performance and adult alcoholism.”
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Both adults and young people have fallen victim to myths about youth drinking, she noted. “Drinking at home under an adult’s supervision sends the young person the message that it is ok to drink before 21 and increases the likelihood he or she will drink in other settings. No matter what setting, drinking puts youth at risk for much harm.”
To reduce young people’s temptation to drink, parents and other caring adults can take these steps:
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1. Actively supervise any youth gatherings at your house. Make sure your child and his/her friends understand that no alcohol or drugs are allowed on your property and that they cannot access any alcohol in your home.
2. Know who your child is with, what they are doing, and when they will be home. Tell your son or daughter that they can call you anytime for a ride home if they are uncomfortable in the situation they are in, but that this does not give them permission to drink.
3. Reinforce messages about the risk involved with using alcohol –-- including the risks of getting in a car crash or being a crime victim. Establish the expectation that they are not to drink until they are 21.
4. Make sure that any alcohol in your home is locked up to prevent youth from accessing it.
5. Talk with your children’s friends’ parents and tell them about your family policy on no alcohol before 21.
While most parents do not allow their underage children to drink and would not buy alcohol for their student or allow it at a post-event party such as Homecoming, some will be tempted to do so. The bottom line, Keating said, is that underage drinking is illegal, and adults who provide alcohol or allow drinking can be cited under a number of laws, including Novato’s Social Host Ordinance.
Healthy Novato has posted tips for parents at healthynovato.com on how to host safe and sober teen parties and tips for keeping their child alcohol free at parties during the school year. The complete list of partnering programs, information for parents, and the Count Me In! Pledge are on the website. Those wanting more information should go to healthynovato.org or contact Katie Keating at (415) 493-4322 or kkeating@novatoyouthcenter.org.
Those interested in taking community level action on the issue of youth drinking and drug use can visit http://novatoblueribbon.org/ to learn about how to get involved with the Novato Blue Ribbon Coalition for Youth.
