What You Need to Know

• YOU ARE YOUR CHILD’S MAIN INFLUENCE: Research shows that parents--not TV, friends, or advertising--are the leading influence in their child's decision to drink or not to drink. Talking to your children about alcohol makes an impact. Over the past decade, underage drinking has declined about 19% annually, as the conversations about underage drinking between parents and their kids have risen by 62%.
• BINGE DRINKING IS HIGH RISK DRINKING: Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or more in a short period of time. This pattern of drinking alcohol usually takes place in less than 2 hours.
• ALCOHOL POISONING: Hundreds die each year from acute alcohol intoxication--known as alcohol poisoning or alcohol overdose and thousands are admitted to emergency rooms.  Alcohol poisoning is increasing in high schools.  Plain and simple, if your child drinks too much too fast it can kill them.
• ALCOHOL IS YOUTH’S # 1 DRUG OF CHOICE! THE STATISTICS
  • National research shows that 57% of minors reported drinking at friends’ homes. Local surveys suggest that 60% - 80% of 11th and 12th graders obtain alcohol from home or home parties, with 30% reporting that they consume alcohol at home with their parent’s permission.
  • 7.8% of New Jersey’s 8th graders and 10% of New jersey’s 7th graders have used alcohol in the past 30 days
  • About 4 out of 5 (78.5%) of NJ’s high school students have used alcohol in their lifetime and nearly half (48%) used alcohol in the past 30 days.
  • Nationally, 12% of 8th graders, 22% of 10th graders, and 29% of 12th graders report having consumed five or more drinks in a row in the last two weeks.
  • More than 40% of individuals who begin drinking before age 13 will develop alcohol abuse or dependency at some point in their lives.
  • Underage drinking is a factor in nearly half of all teen automobile crashes and 50% - 65% of youth suicides. Alcohol abuse is linked to as many as two-thirds of all sexual assaults and date rapes of teens and college students.
  • 27.9% of New Jersey’s 7th and 8th graders who used alcohol in the past 30 days got F’s.
  • Almost 12% of adolescent drinkers engage in alcohol-related physical fighting.

Sources: Institute for Public Strategies Briefing and National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - New Jersey

Parents Who Host: The Facts are Sobering

• FACT: It is a criminal offense in the state of New Jersey (2C:33-17a) to serve alcohol to anyone who is under the legal age of 21.
• FACT: It is a criminal offense in the state of New Jersey (2C:33-17b) to make your home or property available for the purpose of allowing minors a place to consume alcohol.
• FACT: New Jersey’s Social Host Liability Law imposes civil penalties on social hosts who serve alcohol to minors who subsequently are involved in incidents causing death or injury.

If Your Teen is Hosting a Party Checklist

• Put your phone number on the invitation and welcome calls from parents.
• Avoid sending e-mail invitations as these can be easily forwarded to mass amounts of people and you can lose control of who has the information.
• Let attendees know that if they leave the party, they can’t come back.
• Be sure all forms of alcohol, firearms, and over the counter/prescription medications are secured and in a safe place.
• Be clear that there will be no alcohol, drugs or tobacco at this party.

Signs of Underage Drinking Checklist

• The odor of alcohol
• Alcohol is missing from bottles or cans in your home
• Breath mints or mouthwash—these may be an attempt to mask the odor of alcohol
• More sluggish and passive than usual; doesn’t care as much about former interests or appearance
• Association with a new group of friends and reluctance to introduce them to you
• Sudden change in mood or attitude
• Is unusually aggressive or rebellious
• Hangs around with different friends and is more secretive than usual
• Skipping school
• Discipline problems at school
• Grades are dropping
• Borrowing money more
• Alcohol hidden in your teen’s backpack, car, or room
• Intoxicated behavior: your teen stumbles or moves awkwardly, has slurred speech and a dull, unfocused look or bloodshot eyes

Remember: Actions speak as loudly as words.

• Be aware of how you talk about your day and the reasons you are drinking. Do you "need" a glass because of a tough day, or are you enjoying a glass while you cook a family meal? Kids know the distinction and watch our behaviors over time.
• When you're heading to a party, model responsible drinking by discussing within earshot of your children who is going to drive home and why.