Written by: Dodie Huff-Fletcher, Ph.D.
Prevention Division of Seven Counties Services, Inc.
While most adolescents do not use alcohol, some do. But the question is – how do they get it?
It’s a question of accessibility. Adolescents report that they get their alcohol from three places: a home, a friend or older relative, or from the store using an illegal ID.
For parents, this presents a challenge. We can’t control all of these factors. So, what can a parent do? Actually, there are several things a parent can do to reduce the likelihood of alcohol getting
into the hands of their child:
Make sure children do not have access to alcohol in your home.
Be on the lookout for other adults providing alcohol. Alcohol use by young people often
is made possible by adults. After all, teens can’t legally get alcohol on their own.
Don’t be a parent who provides alcohol to your child or their friends.
If alcohol is in your home, remain aware of how much there is, so you will know if any is
missing.
Make sure older brothers or sisters, cousins or relatives don’t buy alcohol for any child.
Did you know that most young people who start drinking before age 21 do so when they are about 13-14 years old? That’s why it’s important to start talking early and keep talking about the
prevention of underage drinking. Of adults who started drinking before age 15, around 40% say they have the signs of alcohol
dependence. That rate is four times higher than for adults who didn’t drink until they were age 21. Most 6-year-olds know that alcohol is only for adults. But, between ages 9 and 13, young
people begin to think that alcohol use is okay. That’s why it’s never too early to start talking with your child about the dangers of underage drinking.
Fortunately, teens say they rely on adults in their lives more than anyone else to help them make tough decisions and to provide good advice.
Remember, the greatest influence on young people’s decisions to begin drinking is the world they live in. That includes their families, friends, schools, the larger community, and society as a
whole. Make sure alcohol stays out of the hands of our children.
These are just a few tips that will help prevent your teen from using alcohol. You can find more information by contacting the Seven Counties Services Regional Prevention Center at 502-589-
8600 or www.sevencounties.org and click on “prevention” under the “our services” tab.
If you suspect or know your teen is using alcohol or other drugs, you can contact the Early Intervention Program (EIP), an assessment and educational program for youth 13-17 years of age, at
cphillips@sevencounties.org or call Craig Phillips at 502-589-8600.
