Do You Know Where Your Child Is?

Almost 23% of our high school seniors in Hall County are reporting that they drink. This is a slightly higher percentage than the state as a whole. Of those Hall County seniors who report drinking, 58% of them report that they drink alcohol at a friend’s house and 15% report drinking in cars.

When you give permission for your child to go off in a car or go to friend’s house, you might assume they will be safe. When it comes to alcohol or drug usage, assumptions can be deadly.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds. (U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Traffic Safety Facts: Young Drivers,” 2007.)

The good news is that parents have a major influence in their child’s life. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, research has shown that two-thirds of teens say that losing their parents’ respect and pride is one of the main reasons they don’t use drugs. As a parent, you matter and can make a difference. Some suggestions:

• Know where your child is going, with whom, what they will be doing. Know what time they will be home and be awake when they get there.
• Have clear rules and consequences established. Develop these with your child’s input. Post them on the refrigerator. Review them periodically.
• Tell your child you expect him or her not to use drugs. Don’t expect your child to “just to know how you feel.”

Some of the rules you should consider:

1. Actively chaperon all underage parties in your home.
2. Make sure your child knows it is not permissible for him or her to be at parties where there are no parents present. Make sure the child knows that you will be calling the parents to confirm plans.
3. Call parents about your children. Your youth are networked; parents need to be networked also.
4. Do not serve or allow alcoholic beverages to be served or be on the premises at underage parties/activities in your home.
5. Do not permit any teenager who arrives or appears to be intoxicated to drive and alert his or her parent of the condition.