Survey Shows First-time Underage Drinkers Try in July

I am just back from a three day meeting of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) called Shaping the National Underage Drinking Prevention Strategy in Chicago as one of five representatives from Rhode Island. It was an excellent opportunity to discuss national underage drinking policies with other experts in the field of prevention. The discussion was lively, informative, and at times frustrating. The sobering truth is that underage drinking, so often excused as a rite of passage, is a major economic, health, and social problem in our communities across the nation. Though the Tiverton and Little Compton Prevention Coalitions have sought to address this issue for many years, the consequences of underage drinking continue to affect our young people and our communities. More help is clearly needed.

At the SAMHSA meeting in Chicago- the message was clear: Underage drinking needs to be addressed at the federal, state and local levels, but most importantly, in the home. Parents need strategies, support, and encouragement to keep alcohol out of the hands of their kids.

The summer months are a time when parental supervision is particularly critical: According to SAMHSA, adolescents use alcohol more often than tobacco or illicit drugs and data from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) show that the highest occurrence of first-time alcohol use (13.1 percent) occurs during the month of July. To teens, the word "summer" means freedom. School is out and they have more time with friends, often with reduced supervision.

Keeping teens occupied and supervised helps to ensure they have a safe summer. Involving teens in a variety of alcohol free activities — such as sports, summer camps, and outdoor recreational activities —can help prevent underage drinking.

-Establish a summertime curfew for your teen and stick to it.

-Plan activities to keep your teen busy

-Make sure to schedule fun time together as a family

-When your teen goes out, know where they are going and whom they are going with.

Here are a few other tips for busy families to consider for the summer months and beyond:

Make clear, sensible rules for your child and enforce them with consistent and appropriate consequences. By doing this, you help your child develop daily habits of self-discipline. Following these rules can help protect your child’s physical safety and mental wellbeing, which can lower their risk for substance abuse problems.

Set a good example for your child through your own behavior. Think about what you say and how you act in front of them. Your child learns social skills and how to deal with stress by listening to and watching you. Parental actions in regard to illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other unhealthy practices speak louder than words.