I recommend that parents take the time to talk to their teens about celebrating in a fun, safe and legal manner during the upcoming graduation season.
At this time of year when our children are celebrating important coming of age events, we must do everything we can to help keep them safe. It is our responsibility as parents to know what their graduation plans are and to help them understand how much we love them and want them to be safe.
Alcohol and/or drug use, particularly on these nights, can cause irreparable damage that can affect them for the rest of their lives.
Keeping teens safe is key. Research from Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) shows that 90 percent of teens believe their peers are more likely to drink and drive on prom night and 79 percent believe the same is true for graduation night.
Yet less than one-third of teens say that driving on prom night and graduation night comes with a high degree of danger. Prevention begins with a conversation. Tell your teen it’s unhealthy, unsafe and illegal for them to drink alcohol. Research continues to show that parents do make a difference and it just may save their life or the life of another.
With the teen brain still developing and sensitive to alcohol’s effects on judgment and decision making, tell your teen about the reality and risks of underage drinking:
•Their inhibitions and memory become affected, so they may say and do things they will regret and possibly will not remember doing at all;
•Their decision-making skills are also affected. They may become restless and aggressive. They may be more at risk for having an alcohol-related traffic crash, getting into fights, trashing a house, or making unwise decisions about sex.
•There is loss of physical control too: loss of balance, slurred speech, and blurred vision. Normal activities – even crossing a busy intersection – can become truly dangerous.
Graduation is a time to celebrate. But before our graduates party, let’s take the time to talk with them about alcohol. It just may save a life.
I wish all of our graduates a wonderful, happy and safe graduation.
