Parents Universal Resources Experts – Sue Scheff: Underage Drinking – Too Smart to Start – Education is Prevention

April is Alcohol Awareness Month.  No matter what time of year, how many parents actually know when, how and why their kids are drinking? A new study suggests that teens are heavily influenced by the drinking habits of their friends.

Too Smart To Start is a public education initiative sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through this initiative, SAMHSA provides research-based strategies and materials to professionals and volunteers at the community level to help them conduct an underage alcohol use prevention program. The materials are designed to educate youth about the harms of alcohol use and to support parents and caregivers as they participate in their children’s activities.
 

Learn about the facts vs myths of underage drinking. Here are a few examples:

Myth: Alcohol isn’t as harmful as other drugs.
FACT: Alcohol increases your risk for many deadly diseases, such
as cancer. Drinking too much alcohol too quickly can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill you.

Myth: Adults drink, so kids should be able to drink too.
FACT: A young person’s brain and body are still growing. Drinking
alcohol can cause learning problems or lead to adult alcoholism. People who begin drinking by age 15 are five times more likely to abuse or become dependent on alcohol than those who begin drinking after age 20.

Myth: Drinking alcohol will make me cool.
FACT: There’s nothing cool about stumbling around, passing out,
or puking on yourself. Drinking alcohol also can cause bad breath and weight gain.

Take the time to visit Too Smart to Start and find out more about preventing underage drinking.

Be an educated parent.  Start talking before they start drinking!

Read more – click here.