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Also:
Parent Talking Tips
Signs/Symptoms of Underage
Drinking
Students are looking
forward to months of long, lazy days without classes or assignments. While
summer break is a great time for taking it easy, parents can’t afford to take it
easy on their expectations and standards. Unsupervised, unstructured time can
lead young people to engage in risky behaviors like drinking or other drug use.
Think your family is immune?
In
2007:
-
76% of South Dakota high school students had one or more drinks containing
alcohol in their lifetime
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44% had one or more drinks containing alcohol in the past 30 days
-
30% had 5 or more drinks containing alcohol in a row on one or more days
during the past 30 days
-
21% of South Dakota high school students drank alcohol prior to age 13.
Underage drinking is more than just against the
law. Children who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are 5 times more
likely to develop alcohol problems than those who start after age 21.
If you suspect or know
your child is drinking or using other substances, don’t wait until school starts
again to do something about it. Prairie View Prevention Services counselors
will be available throughout the summer to answer your questions, complete
screenings and assessments and offer various prevention groups. Call
(605)331-5724 for more information.
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Parent Tips:
Talking About Summer Sobriety
Don’t wait to see if a
drinking or other drug issue develops this summer.
Remind your child of your family’s rules and consequences.
Keep talking – they are listening. Parents DO matter.
Some other tips to help you keep a handle on your child’s behavior:
þ
Establish
a summertime curfew.
þ
Help
plan activities to keep your child busy
þ
Schedule
time together to do something fun as a family
þ
Check
in with adult supervisors, such as coaches and employers
þ
Meet
your child’s friends, especially those that your teen hangs out with regularly
þ
Set
some kind of check-in system, such as an established call time when they get
home
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Short
Term:
-Odor
on the breath.
-Intoxication/drunkenness.
-Difficulty focusing – “glazed” eyes.
-Unusual passive or combative/argumentative behavior.
-Unexplained bruises and accidents.
-Irritability.
-Flushed skin.
-Loss of memory (blackouts).
Long Term:
-Gradual decline in personal appearance and hygiene.
-Gradual development of difficulties, especially in schoolwork or job
performance.
-Availability and consumption of alcohol becomes the focus of social activities.
-Absenteeism (particularly on Monday).
-Changes in peer-group associations and friendships.
-Impaired interpersonal relationships – including separation from close family
members.
Remember,
one or two signs may not mean your child has a drinking issue. But, each sign
is a red flag for parents to become involved and look more closely at the
potential problems.
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