Parent Tips for Prom

Use These 5 Goals When Talking to Kids about Alcohol and Other Drugs

Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse.

Over 80 percent of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. Send a clear and strong message that you disapprove of underage drinking and misuse of other drugs.

Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.

Young people are more likely to listen when they know you’re on their side. Reinforce why you don’t want your child to drink or use other drugs—because you want your child to be happy and safe. The conversation will go a lot better if you’re open and you show concern.

Show you’re a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs.

You want your child to make informed decisions about alcohol and other drugs with reliable information about their dangers. You don’t want your child to learn about alcohol and other drugs from unreliable sources. Establish yourself as a trustworthy source of information.

Show you’re paying attention and you’ll discourage risky behaviors.

Show you’re aware of what your child is up to, as young people are more likely to drink or use other drugs if they think no one will notice. Do this in a subtle way, without prying.

Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding underage drinking and drug use.

Even if you don’t think your child wants to drink or try other drugs, peer pressure is a powerful thing. Having a plan to avoid alcohol and drug use can help children make better choices. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they’ll say “no thanks.”

Keep it low-key. Don’t worry, you don’t have to get everything across in one talk. Plan to have many short talks.

Warning Signs

Although the following signs may indicate a problem with alcohol or other drugs, some also reflect normal growing pains. Experts believe that a drinking problem is more likely if you notice several of these signs at the same time, if they occur suddenly, or if some of them are extreme in nature.

Mood changes

Flare-ups of temper, irritability, and defensiveness

School problems

Poor attendance, low grades, and/or recent disciplinary action

Rebellion against family rules

Friend changes

Switching friends and a reluctance to let you get to know the new friends

A “nothing matters” attitude

Sloppy appearance, a lack of involvement in former interests, and general low energy

Alcohol presence

Finding it in your child’s room or backpack or smelling alcohol on his or her breath

Physical or mental problems

Memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, or slurred speech

Keeping Your Kids Safe

The most effective way to stop impaired driving is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Use the following tips when talking with your kids about drunk and drug-impaired driving.

Don’t Wait for the “Right” Time

It’s always a good time to talk to your kids about the dangers of impaired driving. Here are some common situations you can take advantage of to discuss drunk and drug-impaired driving:

When you’re at the dinner table together

When your child asks if he or she can ride with a friend to school/a concert/a party

When you’re running weekend errands

When you’re at the grocery store

When you and your child are in the car together

When your child asks to borrow the car

Reinforce Expectations

Make sure your children know what you expect from them when it comes to impaired driving. Let them know it’s never okay to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while under the influence, and that getting in a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs is also dangerous.

Help Them Build an Exit Plan

Some kids may not know what to do if a friend or family member who is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs offers them a ride. Explain to your child that it’s okay to say no, and help them think through an exit strategy. For example, you can suggest:

Calling a rideshare service or taxi;
Calling a relative or friend for a ride home;
Staying the night at their current location; and
Convincing the person under the influence not to drive. Mention that drunk and drug-impaired driving is illegal and unsafe and suggest they find another way home.

Show Them You Care

Kids are more likely to listen when they know you’re on their side. Make sure they know that you’re talking to them about impaired driving because you care about their safety, not because you assume they would ever drive drunk or drug-impaired.

Parent Tips for Talking to your Teen

Facts About Underage Drinking

Prom Giveaway

2022-2023 TN Together Survey of 8^th, 10^th and 12^th grade Dickson County Students

Resources: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources https://madd.org/power-of-parents/

Official contest rules: You must be an 11^th or 12^th grader who attends Dickson County High School, Creek Wood, or enrolled in a homeschool program and plan to attend prom. You must visit the DFD website on underage drinking and impaired driving and complete the quiz.