Health eMinutes

Connect with Your Kids and Keep Them Alcohol Free


Spring is often a time of joy in the lives of youth. Spring marks a season of celebrations including prom, completion of the school year and graduations. Unfortunately, this is often a time of increased alcohol use among youth.

Drinking alcohol can have harmful physical, emotional and legal effects on teens, and underage drinking is a serious issue. Last year, 60 percent of 12th graders in Hennepin County indicated they drank alcohol within the past year. In general, teens tend to drink less often than adults, but when they do drink, they often drink more alcohol than adults. In 2007, 10 percent of Hennepin County 9th graders and 30 percent of Hennepin County 12th graders said they have had five or more drinks in a row within the last two weeks.

Many youth and parents believe that underage drinking is inevitable and unavoidable. But in reality, underage drinking is entirely preventable. Here are things parents can do to help their child choose to be alcohol free:

Talk with your child about the dangers of alcohol use. Start talking with your child when they are in early elementary school. Only about half of the parents are talking with their children about the dangers of alcohol use. When you talk to your child, also listen and respect his or her comments, but make it clear that you do not approve of underage drinking.

Set family rules. Rules such as: no alcohol until age 21, older siblings will not encourage drinking or provide alcohol to younger siblings, teens will not stay at parties where alcohol is being used and no driving or riding with a friend who has been drinking.

Teach your teen how to resist alcohol. Create a list of reasons your teen can use to resist alcohol. The list can include potential punishments, such as grounding, loss of car and school activity/sports-policy violations, or more personal reasons such as "I choose not to," "My parents trust me," or "I'm on a medication that counteracts with alcohol."

Monitor alcohol use in your home. If you keep alcohol in your home, keep an eye on the supply or lock it up. If you host celebrations that include or honor youth, make the event alcohol-free.

Know your child's activities and plans. Aim for regular phone calls and check-ins if your child goes to a different location.

Connect with other parents. Rely on each other to keep tabs on your teens' activities.

If you think your child may have a problem with alcohol, seek professional help. Contact your child's school chemical health specialist for more information.

Underage drinking is a serious problem that requires a community response. The newly formed Partnership for Change Coalition, comprised of concerned community members, parents, school staff and youth, has come together to address this issue. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, please contact Alison Pence of the North Memorial Injury Prevention Program at (763) 520-4145.