Alcohol Awareness for Parents

According to a new study released by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an estimated 709,000 youth ages 12 to 14 currently drink alcohol in the United States.  Of those youth (ages 12 to 14) 5.9% drank alcohol in the past month and 93.4% received their alcohol for free the last time they drank.  So, the question we need to ask ourselves is, where do these youth get their free alcohol from?  Sadly, according to SAMHSA more than 100,000 get the alcohol from their parents or guardian.  This information poses another question, are these youth stealing the alcohol or are parents or guardians providing the alcohol?  Although a lot of the alcohol is being taken without parental knowledge 15.7% (or an estimated 111,000) were provided alcohol by their parents or guardians.

SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. says “People who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are six times more likely than those who start at age 21 and older to develop alcohol problems.  Parents and other adults need to be aware that providing alcohol to children can expose them to an increased risk for alcohol abuse and set them on a path with increased potential for addiction.”  There are a whole host of other risks:  damage to the brain that is still developing; impulse control, judgment, memory, decision making, and motor coordination issues; violence; sexual activity; problems in school; illicit drug use; and possible death or injury.

As a parent, there are many things you can do to help ensure your child makes healthy choices.  Provide a clear message about alcohol.  Research shows that youth are less likely to drink and have fewer alcohol-related problems when parents discipline them and set clear expectations about alcohol.  Make it clear that it is your expectation that your children will not use if they are underage and enforce the rules you set.  Talk with your children about the legal ramifications of underage drinking as well as the dangers. 

Monitor alcohol in your home and make sure that alcohol is not available at parties given by your children in your home.  Carefully consider what you tell your children about your own experiences, if any, with underage drinking.  Share lessons that you learned and be sure to stress that your own decision to drink underage was not a good decision.  If you drink yourself be sure to drink responsibly around your children.  Remember, you are the most powerful influence on your child’s behavior.  Help your children to find ways to have fun that don’t involve alcohol, and be involved!  Know your children’s friends, and monitor their activity.  Most importantly, talk with your child early and often and establish an open line of communication that will ensure you are the person they talk with when serious subjects arise. 

The Women’s Health Task Force of Clearfield County meets the first Thursday of each month at noon. The April 7 meeting will be held at Comfort Keepers, 1814A Dorey Street in Clearfield, (near Rainbow Car Wash). All interested persons are invited to attend. Additional information is available from Andrea Bressler at Penn State Extension, 765-7878; or at awb1@psu.edu. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.