GOOD ADVICE: Parents who host lose the most

With prom and graduation coming up, Somerset Public Health and Somerset County law enforcement wish to remind parents they play a major role in their children’s choices about alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. A recent national survey of parents and teens by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found one-third of teen party-goers have been to parties where teens were drinking alcohol, smoking pot, or using other drugs while a parent was present. By age 17, nearly half (46 percent) of teens have been at such parties where parents were present.

Drug-Free Action Alliance has developed the “Parents Who Host, Lose The Most: Don’t be a party to teenage drinking” public awareness campaign to provide information about the health risks of underage drinking and the legal consequences of providing alcohol to youth.

As a parent, you cannot give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21 under any circumstance, even with their parent’s permission. You also cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than your own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol. Furnishing alcohol to a minor is punishable by a minimum $500 fine, and providing a place for a minor to drink is punishable by a minimum $1,000 fine.

Simply taking away the car keys does not solve all of the problems related to underage drinking. Every day, youth under 21 die from non-driving alcohol-related causes, such as drowning and suicide. Risky behaviors also increase with underage drinking.

You can protect your children by following these guidelines when hosting teen parties:

* Host safe, alcohol-free activities and events for youth during prom and graduation season.
* Refuse to supply alcohol to children or allow drinking in your home or on your property.
* Be at home when your teenager has a party.
* Make sure your teenager’s friends do not bring alcohol into your home.
* Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at youth events.
* Report underage drinking.

Our youth deserve to live and grow to adulthood in an environment where alcohol is not misused. Let’s be unified in our message, and host alcohol-free parties with plenty of fun activities to show our youth we care about their future.

For more information, call Somerset Public Health at 207-474-7473 or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/somersetpublichealth.