Tips to Protect Your Teens from Drinking

Here are some tips to help you protect your teen from drinking alcohol:

• If you know of a parent, convenience store, bar or restaurant that provides alcohol to those under 21, either address the problem or make an anonymous tip to law enforcement about the activity.
• Every family set its values—whether supporting appropriate behaviors in the how to speak to parents or their stand on drug use. Discuss underage drinking and the consequences at home if your teen disobeys this rule.
• In many families, the family car is a coveted reward for a teen. Losing driving privileges can be a meaningful discipline.
• Don’t give mixed messages to your child. Only stating that your child should never drink and drive is giving your child permission to drink. This is a very slippery slope that could lead to tragic consequences.
• Set clear rules, including rules about alcohol use, and enforce them.
• Encourage your teens’ growing independence, but set appropriate limits.
• Support your teens and give them space to grow.
• Be involved in your teen’s life
• Make it easy for your teen to share information about his or her life.
• Get your teen involved in family life, such as doing chores or caring for a younger brother or sister.
• Don’t let your teens attend parties where alcohol is served. Make sure alcohol isn’t available at teen parties in your own home.
• Never provide alcohol to your child. It is not only be illegal, but deadly.
• Don’t keep alcohol in the house or, if you do, lock it up and/or monitor alcohol use in the home. Alcohol should not be readily available to your teen. 
• Don’t provide alcohol to your teen or any other teen, it sends a mixed message. Your child may think that you don’t support the 21 law or that he or she is above the law.
• Show your support of law enforcement as they enforce underage drinking laws. 
• Work within your community to prevent underage drinking.
• Tell your teen to avoid dangerous situations such as riding in a car driven by someone who has been drinking.
• Help your teens get professional help if you’re worried about their involvement with alcohol.