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Parents: Introduction Do you know how to discuss alcohol use with your child? Do you know your child's friends? Do you know the extent of drinking by children in your neighborhood? Do you know the legal consequences if your child is caught drinking alcohol? Do you know your State's laws about providing alcohol to anyone under 21? Summary Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS) Evaluation, Management and Training Associates (EMT)
		What You Can Do › Parents › Your Child's Friends
		Do you know your child's friends, and do you feel that they provide positive influences on your child's activities? Help your child build healthy friendships. If your child’s friends use alcohol, your child is more likely to drink, too. So it makes sense to try to encourage your young teen to develop friendships with kids who do not drink and who are otherwise healthy influences on your child. A good first step is to simply get to know your child’s friends better. You can then invite the kids you feel good about to family get-togethers and outings and find other ways to encourage your child to spend time with those teens. Also, talk directly with your youngster about the qualities in a friend that really count, such as trustworthiness and kindness, rather than popularity or a “cool” style. When you disapprove of one of your child’s friends, the situation can be tougher to handle. While it may be tempting to simply forbid your child to see that friend, such a move may make your child even more determined to hang out with him or her. Instead, you might try pointing out your reservations about the friend in a caring, supportive way. You can also limit your child’s time with that friend through your family rules, such as how after-school time can be spent or how late your child can stay out in the evening. Connect with other parents. Getting to know other parents and guardians can help you keep closer tabs on your child. Friendly relations can make it easier for you to call the parent of a teen who is having a party to be sure that a responsible adult will be present and that alcohol will not be available. You’re likely to find out that you’re not the only adult who wants to prevent teen alcohol use—many other parents share your concern. Keep your child busy, especially right after school, summer, weekends, and holidays. The “danger zone” for drug use is between 4 and 6 pm, when no one’s around. Arrange flexible time at work and try to be there after school when your child gets home. If your child will be with friends, ideally they have adult supervision—not just an older sibling. Bored teens are more likely to make risky choices. Talk to them—discover their passion and support it by enrolling them in training, sports, school or church activities, whatever keeps them active and engaged. References: Parents. 2005. Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free. Available at: http://www.alcoholfreechildren.org/en/audiences/parents.cfm. Accessed on [10/02/06] Underage Drinking Prevention Action Guide and Planner. 2001. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Available at: http://media.shs.net/prevline/pdfs/phd858.pdf#search=%22underage%20drinking%20prevention%20action%20guide%20and%20planner%22. Accessed on [08/25/06] Underage Drinking Prevention Action Guide and Planner. 2001. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Available at: http://media.shs.net/prevline/pdfs/phd858.pdf#search=%22underage%20drinking%20prevention%20action%20guide%20and%20planner%22. Accessed on [08/25/06] Underage Drinking Prevention Action Guide and Planner. 2001. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Available at: http://media.shs.net/prevline/pdfs/phd858.pdf#search=%22underage%20drinking%20prevention%20action%20guide%20and%20planner%22. Accessed on [08/25/06] Underage Drinking Prevention Action Guide and Planner. 2001. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Available at: http://media.shs.net/prevline/pdfs/phd858.pdf#search=%22underage%20drinking%20prevention%20action%20guide%20and%20planner%22. Accessed on [08/25/06] Make a Difference: Talk to your child about alcohol. 2000. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Available at: http://www.alcoholfreechildren.org/en/pubs/pdf/makeadifference.pdf. Accessed on [9/6/06] Underage Drinking and Driving: A Parent and Teen Guide. 2006. The Alcohol & Impaired Driving Work Group of the Traffic Safe Communities Network. Make a Difference: Talk to your child about alcohol. 2000. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Available at: http://www.alcoholfreechildren.org/en/pubs/pdf/makeadifference.pdf. Accessed on [9/6/06] Adults Most Common Source of Alcohol for Teens, According to Poll of Teens 13-18. Alcohol Policy MD.com. Available at: http://www.alcoholpolicymd.com/press_room/Press_releases/adults_give_youth_alcohol.htm. Accessed on [10/03/06] Underage Drinking and Driving: A Parent and Teen Guide. 2006. The Alcohol & Impaired Driving Work Group of the Traffic Safe Communities Network. Underage Drinking Prevention Action Guide and Planner. 2001. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Available at: http://media.shs.net/prevline/pdfs/phd858.pdf#search=%22underage%20drinking%20prevention%20action%20guide%20and%20planner%22. Accessed on [08/25/06] Dangers in Drinking. USA Today. 6/6/2005. Adult Accountability for Underage Drinking: The Case for Social Host Laws. East County Community Change Project. Institute for Public Strategies. May, 2003. Hoover, S.A. Policy Strategies to Reduce Underage and Binge Drinking. Community Prevention Institute. Adult Accountability for Underage Drinking: The Case for Social Host Laws. East County Community Change Project. Institute for Public Strategies. May, 2003. Adult Accountability for Underage Drinking: The Case for Social Host Laws. East County Community Change Project. Institute for Public Strategies. May, 2003. A Practical Guide to Preventing and Dispersing Underage Drinking Parties. 2005. Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation: Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center. Underage Drinking and Driving: A Parent and Teen Guide. 2006. The Alcohol & Impaired Driving Work Group of the Traffic Safe Communities Network.


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