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Over the past several
months, there have been multiple reports of young South Dakotans killed or
injured in car crashes involving alcohol. Despite law enforcement crackdowns,
media campaign blitzes, arrests of those providing alcohol to underage people
and educational efforts targeting the issue, teens in South Dakota are
continuing to drink.
Not My Kid?
In Sioux Falls,
a survey of students enrolled in a new class concerning health-related risks
turned up some sobering statistics. In August of 2005, before the class, 18.4%
of the students reported drinking. In May of 2006, after completing the class,
28.4% admitted drinking. Statewide, the latest
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (PDF File) found that 77% of high school students
said they had tried drinking at least once in their lives. 24% said they had
their first alcohol beverage by the time they were 13. 32% said they had ridden
with someone who had been drinking at least once in the month prior to the
survey and 17% admitted driving after drinking during the same time frame.
Why Should Parents
Care?
Not only is underage
drinking illegal, it is dangerous (affects of alcohol on young people). Mixing
drinking and driving is a deadly combination – especially for young people.
Even if your teen never gets behind the wheel after drinking, there are other
frightening risks: Heavy drinking among youth is associated with risky sexual
behavior (including sexual initiation, multiple sex partners, condom use, and
pregnancy)(1)
Please take a look at the
Myths About Kids & Drinking provided by the
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence for more facts on teens,
alcohol and why parents need to get involved.
What Can Parents Do?
It may seem easy to put
all the responsibility for underage drinking on to the people who provide
alcohol to teens, on the friends teens hang out with or on the teens themselves
for their decision to drink. But parents play a huge, vital role in their
teens’ behavior and choices. The first step for parents is to recognize the
Signs and Symptoms of Teen Alcohol Use – and continue talking to their teen
about drinking, drugs and making tough choices.
During the summer
months, more teens will experiment with drinking and drugs than during the
school year, mostly due to boredom and less supervision. The following list
from
Parents: The AntiDrug will help guide you and your teen toward a safe and
healthy summer:
- Establish a
summertime curfew for your teen
- Help plan activities
to keep your teen busy
(for ideas, check out the Activities Calendar for families with
Middle School or
High School students on the
Parent Communication Network’s website)
- Schedule time
together to do something fun as a family
- Check in with adult
supervisors, such as coaches and employers
- Meet your child’s
friends, especially those that your teen hangs out with regularly
- Set some kind of
check-in system, such as an established call time when they get home
If you suspect or know
your teen 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.
Email us or call (605)331-5724 for more information.
1.
Dunn MS, Bartee RT, Perko MA. Self-reported alcohol use and sexual behaviors of
adolescents. Psychological Reports 2003; 92(1):339-348.
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