Alcohol Prevention: Preventing Underage Drinking These facts and suggestions were gathered from the following sources. Visit these sites for more in-depth information: National and Federal: www.stopalcoholabuse.com Comprehensive portal to federal resources regarding preventing underage drinking www.ncadd.com National Commission Against Drunk Driving www.freevibe.com National Anti-Drug Media Campaign website for teens www.niaaa.nih.gov National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration www.thecoolspot.gov NIAAA youth alcohol abuse prevention website for teens www.health.org US Department of Health and Human Services National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information www.cdc.gov/alcohol/index.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.family.samhsa.gov U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Family Guide www.duke.edu/~amwhite/ index.html Duke University Topics in Alcohol Research State and Local: www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ youth/survey-report.html Thurston County Healthy Youth Survey Results www3.doh.wa.gov/here/ Washington State Department of Health Education Resource Exchange www.liq.wa.gov/education.asp Washington State Liquor Control Board Education Services http://clearinghouse.adhl.org/ campaigns/ruad/ Washington State Reducing Underage Drinking website

According to the 2004 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, in Thurston County: 1 in 5 8th graders reported having a drink in the past 30 days 1 in 4 10th graders reported having a drink in the past 30 days 1 in 3 12th graders reported having a drink in the past 30 days 76% of 12 graders report they think it is easy to get alcohol when they want it 20% of students who reported drinking in the past month say they got their alcohol from home, either with or without permission Risks of Underage Drinking Alcohol use is a leading risk factor is the three leading causes of death among youth: unintentional injuries, suicides, and homicides In Washington State, alcohol is involved in over a third of adolescent driver fatalities Teens who start drinking before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to develop problems with alcohol Teens react differently than adults to the initial effects of alcohol The abuse of alcohol by teens may have long term effects on the development of adolescent brains Alcohol use among youth is strongly correlated with teen violence, risky sexual activity, school failure, and illegal drug use Family Influence on Underage Drinking Research studies indicate that children are less likely to drink when parents are involved with their lives Older sibling use of alcohol can influence use by younger siblings Children say that parental disapproval of underage drinking is the key reason they have chosen not to drink What Parents Can Do to Prevent Underage Drinking Talk to your children about why it is important for them not to drink Set clear, specific rules about what you expect Be consistent when enforcing rules and use appropriate consequences Be a positive role model and do not participate in unhealthy practices regarding alcohol Know what your children are doing and who they are with Recognize good behavior What a Community Can Do to Prevent Underage Drinking Develop comprehensive community plans to address underage drinking that include law enforcement, government leaders, business leaders, grassroots groups, schools, and social service agencies Support local efforts by police to enforce underage drinking laws Incorporate research-based alcohol prevention information into school curriculum Regulate alcohol advertising and limit alcohol sponsorship of community events