Parent To Parent Tip Sheet

Underage Drinking in Longmeadow: Parent to Parent Tip Sheet

Compiled Courtesy of Parents in the Safe Homes Network

How do our teens acquire alcohol?

• • Family Liquor Cabinets

  • Older Siblings or Relatives

  • Fake IDs Ordered Online

  • LHS Alumnae of Age to Buy

  • Some Parents Provide For or Allow Teen Consumption of Alcohol

(15% of Seniors Report Using Alcohol at Home with Parents’ Knowledge.)

Where have we been surprised to find alcohol?

• • Water Bottles

  • Backpacks

  • Sneaking it in basement windows and hatchways

Strategies Parents Have Found to be Successful:

• • Provide bottled water for gatherings in your home.

  • Lock and secure liquor cabinets and medications.

  • Periodically check in on gatherings happening in your home.

  • Clearly communicate your expectations to your child.

  • Communicate with other parents to make clear what is acceptable for your child.

  • Have a “Safe” text that your child can use to alert you to give them an excuse to come home if they are uncomfortable in a situation.

  • Be aware that the term “party” often refers to a gathering where there is alcohol present.

  • If your child wants to attend a party given by someone in a younger grade, that may signal that alcohol or drug use is occurring.

  • Notify LPD if you are going out of town to avoid the party being at your house while you are gone.

  • Discuss with your child additional pressures that may result from being a younger student on a varsity level team, and reinforce age appropriate expectations.

  • Have your kids kiss/hug you good night when they get home, so you know they made it home safely.

Useful websites with more ideas:

www.drugfree.org

https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking