Research shows that when conversations go up, underage drinking goes down. Since 2003, conversations between parents and kids have increased 73%. During that same period, underage drinking has decreased by 50%.
Here is a list of links to sites that have tips on how to talk to the teens in your life about the dangers of underage drinking and substance misuse. If you have teens in your life, check out these links.
If you find or have a resource about talking to your teens about the dangers of underage drinking and substance misuse please send it to media@vidadelnorte.com so that we can add it to this list.
"Talk. They Hear You."® Campaign
SAMHSA’s national substance use prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers start talking with their children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.
https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you
Talk It Out is a site out of North Carolina that has a comprehensive guide for parents with different ways that they can start the conversation about the dangers of underage drinking and substance misuse.
This page can be a key tool every step of the way — from thinking about what to say and how to say it, to keeping the conversation going as your kids get older.
https://www.talkitoutnc.org/starting-the-conversation/
Ask, Listen, Learn is a completely FREE digital underage drinking prevention program for kids ages 9-13 (grades 4-8) and their parents and educators with the goal to reduce underage drinking. The information provided throughout the program guides adults with ways to start communicating with kids about alcohol and the developing brain– and how to continue talking to them as part of a lifetime of conversations.
https://asklistenlearn.org/
Responsibility.org has developed programs and resources to prepare for a lifetime of conversations with kids, teens, college students, and adults of legal drinking age. Learn more at: https://www.responsibility.org/prevent-underage-drinking
This is the link to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's guide called: "Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child About Alcohol - Parents". It is a guide geared to parents and guardians of young people ages 10 to 14.
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/make-a-difference-child-alcohol
Ready to start a conversation for a child at any age? On Our Sleeves is a site dedicated to children's mental health and has a downloadable guide of conversation starters and tips to help create the habit of talking with your kids about all sorts of topics in effective ways.
https://www.onoursleeves.org
