Empower Tusc Launches Annual ‘Parents Who Host Lose the Most’ Awareness Campaign
NEW PHILADELPHIA — Local agencies and community members are joining forces to promote the "Parents Who Host Lose the Most" campaign.
The campaign is designed to remind parents of the major role they play in their children’s choices about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Empower Tusc is partnering with Prevention Action Alliance, local school districts, businesses and community members to place banners and signs throughout neighborhoods to highlight the initiative.
In a National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University survey to parents and teens, a third of teen partygoers reported they have been to parties where teens were drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, or using cocaine, ecstasy or prescription drugs while a parent was present. By age 17, statistics show that nearly half of teens have been at substance-fueled parties where parents were present.
“Simply reminding our community of the dangers and risks associated with underage drinking can go a long way,” Empower Tusc Coordinator Jodi Salvo said in a prepared statement. “When we are aware of the danger our children are in as it relates to underage drinking, we become more likely to avoid putting them in harm’s way.”
Parent may not legally provide alcohol their teens' friends who are under the age of 21 under any circumstance, even in their own homes with parental permission. They may not legally allow a person under 21, other than their own children, to stay in their home or on their property while consuming or possessing alcohol. State law allows for punishments of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and loss of property for those who do.
A press release from Empower Tusc said it is important for parents to proactively take measures to help ensure prom and graduations are fun, yet safe and drug-free for teens. It gave these suggestions for parties:
• Create a party plan, including a guest list, with your teen.
• Invite just the friends on your list and let them know in advance the party is "invitation only."
• Let party guests know that if they leave, they cannot come back.
• Plan some activities such as music, games and movies.
• Make regular and unobtrusive visits to the party area with sensitivity to teens’ needs for privacy.
If your teen is attending a party:
• Know where your child will be. Call the parent in charge to verify the location of the party. Ensure there will be adult supervision ant that the host will not be serving or allowing alcohol.
• Set a curfew for your teen to be home and when they arrive home, have them check in with you.
• Know how your child is getting to and from the party. Reinforce the message to your teenager that he/she should never allow someone who has been drinking to drive them anywhere.
For more information on local prevention efforts and resources visit empowertusc.com.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Parents advised how to keep teens from alcohol, other drugs at parties
