Parents are the front line to preventing underage drinking. Many times adults think "Teens are going to drink, it might as well be while they are safe at home under my supervision." or "I drank when I was a teen, this is a rite of passage thing." However, the latest research shows that teens who start routinely drinking before age 21 are five times more likely to end up with chronic alcohol problems than teens who wait until the legal age of 21. Research also shows that the brain is still developing through the early twenties. Prematurely introducing alcohol to the brain can seriously affect how the brain develops. Click to get details on brain development: Brain Development
Click below to see the 2008 emergency room discharge information: Emergency Room Discharges with Binge Drinking Diagnosis, 2008 *
*Note that females ages 12-14 have been admitted to the emergency room with a binge drinking diagnosis more than their male counterparts. Fifty-two more males were admitted in 2008 than in 2007 and 59 more females. Clearly, underage drinking is a continuing problem.
Underage drinking can have serious consequences. Protect your children from the risks associated with drinking - maintain open communication. Parents who begin talking to their children about the negative effects of underage drinking will have a huge impact on their children’s decision to begin drinking. Start the conversation and then listen. Peer pressure can be tough at any age so providing strong parental support and a safe and supportive home life will give youth the courage to fight off negative peer pressure.
We encourage you to adopt a Parent Pledge that further solidifies your commitment to preventing underage drinking.
Click on the Headline below to see the stories that appeared in the newspaper.
Social Hosting and Social Host Ordinances:
All San Diego municipalities and the County's unincorporated areas have Social Host laws with the exception of Del Mar. The Social Host Ordinance prohibits a party host from allowing minors to consume alcoholic beverages. (See the LAW ENFORCEMENT page for specific details on your city's ordinance.)
Prom/Graduation Seasons
Renting a limousine for your teens can be a wonderful addition to the prom experience. Make sure you rent from a reputable company and one that has an alcohol & drug policy.
Click on the link below to see a flyer for tips to keep your teens safe.
What Parents Should Know Before Renting a Limo
See STAKEHOLDERS Page for a list of limo companies with a drug & alcohol policy.
Renting a hotel room may seem like a good idea, but are you simply providing what you deem as a "safe" environment for your teen to consume alcohol? Be sure to check the hotel's policies on how it handles parties involving minors. If hotel security has to address an out-of-control underage drinking party, will they evict the guests - or will they contact local law enforcement?
Law Enforcement & PTA Representatives Speak on Keeping Your Teen Safe During Prom and Graduation Season
See SDPD Ass't Chief Long and Sheriff's Lt. Brust along with PTA representatives who appeared on May 21st, June 6th and June 7th morning shows.
Click Live2Graduate for news stories.
Here are a few tips for parents to help prevent underage drinking:
- Never provide alcohol to youth at parties or celebrations you host.
- Do not host teen drinking parties or allow them to happen in your home.
- Know where your teens are going and what the house rules other parents have about providing alcohol to teens.
- During prom & graduation events, be sure to know your teen's plans and if they change during the event.
- Don't be an unwitting enabler of your teen's drinking and driving. According to a national survey of more than 2,500 11th and 12th graders, 90% believe their counterparts are more likely to drink and drive on prom night and 79% believe the same is true for graduation night. Parents have a role to deter unsafe driving behaviors among teens. Research strongly indicates that teens who have regular conversations with their parents about driving safety are less likely to drink and drive.
- Build a guideline to safe driving with your teen. For a family safe
driving agreement that you and
your teen should sign click on:
Liberty Mutual Teen Driving.
April is National "Alcohol Awareness" Month. Click here for more information on the impact of alcohol.
May is National "Save A Teen" Month. Click here for the press release for California's Alcoholic Beverage Control for ideas on how you can help.
