Parents are No. 1, when it comes to preventing alcohol abuse

Schools are gearing up for Red Ribbon Week beginning Oct. 23. Counselors and teachers in Districts 1, 2 and 7 will be working hard to get out the anti-substance abuse message to our children.
Parents may not realize it, but they exert a strong influence over their children’s choice to drink alcohol while underage. In fact, they are the No. 1 influence. Says Gary Najarian of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “No teen will ever admit this, but studies have shown that the number one influence in young people’s lives is their parents and what their parents’ expectations of them are.”
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that family factors like the parent-child relationship, communication, discipline and supervision have a significant effect on teen alcohol use. The best way for parents to prevent underage drinking is to develop a loving, open relationship with their teens.
Parents should spend time talking with their children each day and should get involved in their children’s lives. By letting their children know that their interests and activities are worthwhile, they set the stage for the development of strong self-esteem. Parents who have an open communication with their teens will find discussing the difficult subject of alcohol a much easier task.
Parents should also make their expectations regarding drinking alcohol clear. Teens should understand the consequences of breaking the rules, and parents should take care to consistently enforce them.
Teens should also know that they could call their parents if they end up at a party where alcohol is available; parents should be thankful that their children made the decision to call them rather than get in the car with an intoxicated friend.
Parents who want to discourage underage drinking should also be good role models for their teens. When parents behave in a responsible manner, they reinforce the rules and make it more likely that teens will respect their wishes.
The best way to prevent teens from suffering from the dangers of underage drinking is for their parents to discuss the topic with them honestly, set ground rules and stick to them, and be good role models themselves.
Parents should recognize that they are the number one influence on their children’s behavior and take full advantage of their power to ensure a healthy, happy life for their teens.
For information, call Deborah Rogers or Marquette Bethea with Trinity Behavioral Care at 431-9225, Ext. 31.