Some countries do not have a drinking age.  Although the U.S. and Canada have considered this idea, it has been shot down.  Teens in these countries are just unable to control their consumption.  Other countries, such as Italy and France, have no such laws about teen drinking.  As a result, teens grow up around alcohol, so there is no fascination with it.  Tell any teen that they can’t have something, and they are likely to want it even more.  The same holds true for drinking alcohol.  When given the chance, adolescents take advantage of alcohol, to their own detriment.

Sadly, each year, about 5,000 teens die from underage drinking.  1,900 of these deaths are vehicle related, proving how the impaired judgment that teens experience under the influence, really affects those around them too.  What are some ways that parents can help their teens to avoid alcohol? Some parents, unfortunately, don’t take enough interest in the welfare of their teens.  They leave hard liquor, beer and wine out where it is available to their kids.  This can be easily avoided by installing a liquor cabinet with a good lock system.  This is just one way that parents can do help to keep their teenage prescription drug abuse and drinking alcohol.  There is only one case where teen drinking is actually legal, under parental supervision.  This is often a wise idea, much like the way Italy and France (just examples) have a light view of alcohol, parents can convey this attitude as well.  Make your teens see that alcohol is just another beverage, something to be consumed in moderation.  Hopefully they will learn not to overindulge when consuming alcohol as adults.

Parents play a critical role in preventing their children from using alcohol, but many don’t know what to do.  Luckily, there are resources available to parents. First, don’t treat alcohol use as just “part of growing up” and never provide alcohol to your children or their friends. Even if you feel that they are going to drink anyway and at least they’ll be safe at home, this is illegal and encourages their alcohol use.

But even if you would never considering serving alcohol to underage children, you may not know how to discourage them from using it elsewhere. If you don’t know how to talk to your children about this issue, there are guides available providing tactics for having these discussions. If possible, start young, well before your child will be in a position to be offered alcohol. Discuss strategies with your child for how to say no, including that someone who is really their friend will respect their decision and accept a no, rather than continuing to pressure. Offer to be the bad guy: “My mom will absolutely kill me. She can smell alcohol a mile away.” If appropriate, they can use sports or other activities as an excuse, that they have a big game or competition tomorrow, that they’re in training, or other such excuses. A polite but firm “no, thank you” refusal is often all it takes.

Finally, if your child is in a situation where alcohol is being served, make sure they have a safe way home. Whether they were participating or just that their drivers are teens drinking and driving, repeatedly let them know that you will come pick them up, no questions asked, rather than risk having them get in a teens and drinking situation. With some of the teens binge drinking that is going on now you can never be too safe.