Letter: Have a talk with kids about drinking

To the Editor:

Imagine your house full of teenagers. Hanging out. Having a good time. Friends and acquaintances are together, talking and laughing. Sounds pretty fun, right?

Now imagine these kids aren’t just talking and laughing. Imagine they’re drinking as well. And imagine them driving home while intoxicated. The consequences for parents and teens are not worth the good time.

Often times parents think teenagers don’t listen to them. But research shows that parents are the most important influence on a teen’s behavior. That’s why we say “Parents Matter.”

As a parent, you should know that 17.5 percent of all people killed in alcohol-related car crashes in South Dakota from 2006 through 2008 were ages 13-20.

Are your children drinking? South Dakota statistics show that 44 percent of teens had at least one drink of alcohol in the past 30 days. In addition, 24 percent of teens rode in a car driven by someone who was drinking in the past 30 days.

Talk to your children. Establish clear rules. Be a parent. Ask the questions. Get the answers. Most importantly, let them know that it’s not OK to drink, any time, anywhere.

Stepping Stones Prevention is working hard to warn students and parents about house parties and drinking and driving. If you aren’t sure of how to proceed, or need help, please call.

Jen Ross

Community Prevention Networker

Stepping Stones

Mitchell

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion