Healthy Novato has organized a series of parent meetings to discuss the risks of underage drinking. Noting that youth in the community start consuming alcohol at an early age, the group wants to help parents learn what they can do to prevent the damage to the developing brain, increased risk for addiction, injuries, violence, and other problems associated with underage alcohol consumption.
“Studies in our community found we have higher-than-average rates of youth drinking,” said Katie Keating, Healthy Novato Project Director. “And drinking is actually a lot more dangerous for children and teens than for adults. For every year that we can delay alcohol use, we increase the chances that Novato youth will become healthy, successful young adults.”
“Alcohol is the number one contributing factor to death of youth in the United States,” she continued. “Studies show that it plays a major part in many car crashes, suicides, rape and other violence, as well as depression and poor performance at school. While we need many groups, including law enforcement, government officials, schools, and youth to be a part of the solution, parents also play a critical role.”
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During the meetings parents will learn local data on youth alcohol use, factors that contribute to underage drinking, the level at which underage drinking impacts the health of youth, and practical tools to help them take action in their own homes and neighborhoods.
Parents of students of all ages are urged to attend one of these informative sessions or contact the Healthy Novato Project Director to set up a meeting. Meetings can be tailored to different groups and settings. Healthy Novato has already hosted several meetings, and upcoming parent meetings are scheduled at the following times and locations:
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- Hamilton School ELAC, 5/7/13, 6:00pm
- Lu Sutton PTA, 5/14/13, 6:30pm
- San Marin ELAC, 5/29/13, 7:00pm
- Lu Sutton ELAC, 5/30/13, 3:45pm
Healthy Novato works to reduce underage drinking and its threats to the health and safety of young people in the community through programs and partnerships. The complete list of partnering programs, information for parents, and the Count Me In! Pledge are on the website. Those wanting more information should go to healthynovato.org or contact Katie Keating at (415) 493-4322 or kkeating@novatoyouthcenter.org.
