Educators and Underage Drinking

Schools and teachers have a significant impact on an adolescent’s life. The climate and cohesiveness of a school can play an important role in the development of an adolescent’s self-identity. Schools and teachers can help eliminate the acceptance of teen drinking and help replace environments that enable underage alcohol use with environments that discourage it.

Provide an environment that protects youth from underage drinking

• Provide information to parents on the consequences of underage alcohol use, school policies and practices on alcohol use, and local sources for more information.
• Provide information to parents regarding penalties and consequences of underage drinking.
• Use enforcement and technology to ensure alcohol is not used at school functions and after-school events.
• Encourage student involvement in school, a factor in reducing underage alcohol use.
• Create an environment that helps students explore their talents and follow their passions, whether academic, musical, sports, or social or community causes.
• Provide students opportunities for validation and belonging.
• Increase positive outcomes for adolescents by being a mentor, a valued teacher or other caring adult.
• Recognize that significant social transitions (such as graduating to middle or high school or getting a driver’s license) are accompanied by increasing responsibility, freedom, social pressure, and/or more demanding academic requirements, all of which may increase the likelihood of alcohol use. At such times, teachers and staff can be particularly alert and supportive. Consider making a special effort to connect students with an adult who can serve as a mentor and confidant.
• Recognize that children who mature earlier or later than the majority of their peers may be at increased risk.
• Provide and promote multiple venues where adolescents can get together with their friends.
• Ensure strong policies are in place regarding underage drinking and enforce them consistently.

Decrease the risk of adolescent alcohol use and the associated negative consequences

• Eliminate violation of alcohol rules by consistently enforcing them.
• Provide students with the developmentally appropriate knowledge, skills, and motivation to resist peer and other pressures to drink.
• Identify and refer students using alcohol to appropriate interventions. Ensure that school nurses are trained to recognize alcohol-related problems, to intervene appropriately when problems are found, and to be familiar with the referral network.
• Work with the community to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place so students in need of services and treatment can be referred to appropriate personnel or health care providers.
• Establish and enforce strict policies against alcohol use on school property and at school events.
• Only sponsor prevention strategies that research confirms effective in preventing and reducing underage alcohol use.

Working with Others
Teachers can be a positive force in a student’s life, helping to prevent underage drinking. Teachers also need the help and support of parents and communities. Schools can work with others to ensure that:

• Families, school colleagues, and communities support and reward an adolescent’s decision not to drink.
• Protective rules around adolescent alcohol use are in place, penalties for violations are well known, and enforcement is sure and uniform.
• All laws related to underage alcohol use are regularly publicized and well enforced.
• Parties and other social events do not allow underage drinking.

Some information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking: A Guide to Action for Families. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, 2007.