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Tips to prevent underage drinking

By Staff | Jan 6, 2009

“If my kid drinks, she’s going to do it at home.”

We have all heard this. Maybe we have said it. After all, we all want to keep our kids safe.

Unfortunately, we are wrong.

Statistics show that the winter season can be a real “danger zone” for underage drinkers. Children may want to sample alcoholic drinks. College students are home. Parties are everywhere.

This is what we know:

– Roughly 40 percent of youth who start drinking before age 15 will become alcoholic at some point during their lifetime, as opposed to 7 percent of those who wait until they are 21.

– Nearly 90 percent of 10th graders and 75 percent of eighth graders say that alcohol is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get.

– Underage drinking plays a role in risky sexual activity and increases the risk of carrying out or being a victim of a sexual assault.

– The drinking age is set at 21 partially because by this age the brain and body are more fully developed. Early alcohol use can change the chemistry of the brain and increase the likelihood of that person becoming an alcohol abuser.

Contrary to what you might be hearing from your children, parents can make a difference.

– Be clear with your children on where you stand on alcohol use.

– Do not buy alcohol for children or illegally serve alcohol to underage children.

– Do not overconsume yourself.

– Monitor all of guests to assure that no one drives while impaired.

– Hold teens accountable for their actions. Drinking is not “just part of growing up.”

The Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida has solutions. For information, call 573-8747 or visit: drugfreeswfl.org.