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There's No Trick to Keeping Teens Away From Alcohol

There’s no trick and there’s no treat when it comes to underage drinking on Halloween.  The spookiest holiday of the year is also considered one of the biggest drinking holidays, so it’s no surprise that the alcohol industry wants to cash in on getting into the spirit.  Unfortunately, the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth researchers have found that that there is a link between minors who recognize advertisements for beer and spirits and the likelihood of them drinking.
 

A study published in the Journal of Health Communication found that underage youth are drawn to music, animal and people characters, story and humor in alcohol advertising.  Youth in the study were more likely to say they wanted to purchase the... read more

Is your back to school list complete?

Gather school supplies. 
  ►Take kids shopping for clothes.
  ►Get sports physicals.
  ►Talk to kids about alcohol and marijuana.

Getting ready to go back to school can be an exciting time  for kids as they look forward to being back with their friends and all the activities and opportunities that school brings.  It can also be a time of sadness, knowing that the freedom of summer is coming to an end.  Kids might also feel anxious, wondering “Will I fit in? Will I make new friends?”

Just like adults, kids can have mixed feelings about going back to school. They also face a lot of pressure, whether it comes from other kids, their parents, or what they expect of themselves. That’s why it is so important to continue to talk with your kids about things... read more

Set clear rules about alcohol as your teen heads back to school

As your teen begins a new school year, they will be exposed to exciting new experiences and increased independence. The choices they make now – such as making new friends, trying out for the team, joining a club, or planning for life after high school—will have an impact on their future.

So will the decision whether or not to use alcohol. Before you say “Kids will be kids,” or “I drank alcohol when I was young and I turned out okay,” we urge you to consider these facts about underage drinking:

  • Each year, approximately 5,000 young people in the United States die as a result of underage drinking.
  • Underage drinking puts young people at higher risk for violence, sexual assault, and school failure.
  • In Washington State, about 1 in 7 eighth graders... read more

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