top of page

Prevention

ParentsWithTeen_MealTime.jpg

Meal Time

A perfect moment to talk about drugs and alcohol.

Studies have shown that parents have a significant influence on young people’s decisions about alcohol consumption, especially when parents create supportive and nurturing environments in which their children can make their own decisions. When parents know about underage alcohol use, they can protect their children from many of the high-risk behaviors associated with it. Furthermore, parents who do not discourage underage drinking may have an indirect influence on young people’s alcohol use.

Talk, They Hear You focuses on:

  • Increasing parents’ awareness of the prevalence and risk of underage drinking;

  • Equipping parents with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to prevent underage drinking;

  • Increasing parents’ actions to prevent underage drinking.

What Can You Do?

 

Start Early

​

  • The Chances children will use alcohol increase as they get older. 

  • ​About 10 percent of 12-year-olds say they have tried alcohol, but by age 15, that number jumps to 50 percent. The sooner you talk to your children about alcohol, the greater chance you have of influencing their decision not to drink.

  • Some Children May Try Alcohol as Early as 9 Years Old.

  • Most 6-year-olds know that alcohol is only for adults. Between the ages of 9 and 13, children start to view alcohol more positively. Many children begin to think underage drinking is okay. Some even start to experiment. It is never too early to talk to your children about alcohol.

​

Say Something

​

  • ​What you say to your child about alcohol is up to you. But remember, parents who do not discourage underage drinking may have an influence on their children's alcohol use.

​

What Parents Can Do

​

  • Be a positive role model

  • Be aware of risk factors

  • Support your kids and give them space to grow

  • Be prepared. Your child may become curious about alcohol; he or she may turn to you for answers and advice

  • Use "natural" opportunities such as dinner time or while doing chores to start open, honest conversations about drinking

  • Work with schools, communities, and the government to protect children from underage alcohol use

Dad&sonVideoGames.jpg

Playing Video Games

A perfect moment to talk about drugs and alcohol.

Samhsa_Logo.jpg
tthy_banner.jpg
BotvinLifeSkills.jpg

Botvin LifeSkills Training

Botvin LifeSkills Training is used to increase their knowledge of the immediate consequences of substance abuse. Out of the 1,544 programs reviewed by an independent panel of evaluation experts and determined to meet a clear set of scientific standards, only three programs are certified as a Blueprints Model Plus Program. LST is one of the Model Plus programs, meeting a higher standard and providing greater confidence in the program’s capacity to change behavior and developmental outcomes.

 

Statistics

  • Proven to cut drug use by up to 75%

  • Proven to cut alcohol use by up to 60%

  • Proven to cut verbal/physical aggression, fighting, and delinquency by up to 50%

  • ​Proven to cut tobacco use by up to 87%

TooGood.jpg

Mendez Foundation Too Good

Too Good is a comprehensive family of evidence-based substance use and violence prevention interventions designed to mitigate the risk factors linked to problem behaviors and build protection within the child to resist problem behaviors.  Too Good develops a framework of social and emotional skills through the development of goal-setting, decision-making, emotion management, and effective communication skills in addition to peer-pressure refusal, pro-social bonding, and conflict resolution skills. Too Good builds the basis for a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment.

bottom of page