QUESTION: What are the most effective messages to give to kids about alcohol?

 

ANSWER: What parents and other significant adults say is an important influence on the choices that their children make about the use and non-use of alcohol and other drugs. Even though over half the adults in the country drink alcoholic beverages, many of us haven’t spoken clear messages to our children about alcohol use.

For our children’s safety and health, we need to communicate our concern directly, clearly and frequently from preschool through adulthood. Three messages should come through, loud and clear: 1). Not drinking alcohol is a safe and acceptable lifelong decision that many people choose. 2). We do not want you to drink alcohol before you are legally allowed to do so, and we do not want you to use tobacco or illegal drugs at all. 3). If you choose to drink alcohol when you are an adult, we want you to know how to do so safely and appropriately.

Do you know that your children already know these circumstances when adults should never be drinking alcohol? (It would be a good idea to ask them.)

• When recovering from chemical dependency

• When pregnant or nursing

• When taking certain medications

• When at work or studying

• When performing in athletics or drama, music or other performances

• When doing risky physical activities, like swimming, skiing or rock climbing

• When using equipment, like electric tools and guns

• When driving vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles and boats

No doubt most of us would respond, if asked, that we know that people should not, “drink and drive.” However, according to Minnesota Department of Safety statistics, alcohol-related crashes remain a serious threat on our roads —accounting for one-third of the state’s traffic fatalities.

Last year, 411 people died in traffic crashes and 131 were alcohol-related; 2,485 people suffered injuries in alcohol-related crashes; on average, 82 DWIs per day were issued to drivers on Minnesota roads; 42 percent of the violators had at least one prior DWI; one of every seven current Minnesota drivers has at least one DWI.

Mower County Law Enforcement takes alcohol impaired driving very seriously for very good reasons. In the first 6 months of 2011 in Mower County, 78 percent of the convicted alcohol impaired drivers were males; their average age was 36. The conviction rate was 98 percent. “Drive sober or get pulled over,” is a message every member of our family needs to know. Only drive when sober; only ride with a sober driver.

If you would like to talk with a parenting specialist about the challenges in raising children, call the toll-free Parent WarmLine at 1-888-584-2204.

For free emergency child care, call the Crisis Nursery at 1-877-434-9599. Check out www.familiesandcommunities.org