How to Stop Underage Drinking

Underage drinking is a factor in over 5000 deaths of people between the ages of 13 and 21. Binge drinking may also result in alcohol poisoning, date rape and assaults. Underage drinking can affect a young person's liver, brain and growth. It also can reduce motivation and interfere with judgment. Working together communities, schools and parents can stop underage drinking.

Instructions

1. Discuss the consequences of underage drinking with children. Do not assume they know the role it plays in accidents and sexual assaults. Start talking to children early before they start drinking.

2. Learn about community resources. Check to see if there is a chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Students Against Drunk Driving in your community. They have resources and strategies to help stop underage drinking.

3. Encourage school involvement and participation in extracurricular activities. Young people who are committed to school and become involved in after school activities are less likely to drink alcohol. Talk to a young person about what school programs may fit with their interests.

4. Develop school based programs to prevent underage drinking. Educators and parents should work together to start programs that reduce underage drinking. Look to other communities who have successful programs as a model. Offer programs such as alcohol free prom and graduation activities.

5. Stay involved in your child's life. Know who your child's friends are. Keep communication open. Encourage your child to talk to you about anything. Have rules and set limits. Spend time with your son or daughter enjoying activities together. Making a child feel secure and loved may reduce the likelihood they will drink underage.

6. Enforce underage drinking laws. Owners of stores should ask for identification from all young people and follow the law by not selling to anyone underage. Stores that do sell alcohol to underage youth should be reported and incur consequences. Law enforcement should conduct undercover operations to catch stores who do sell to those underage.