Talk to Your Kids

Take action today to help kids stay alcohol-free. Consider these tips:

• Talk early and often to your kids.
• Establish an open line of communication.
• Get into the habit of talking with your kids every day. This will make it easier for you to talk to them about more difficult topics, when necessary.
• Get involved. Talking with your kids about their day will open the door for you to share values and beliefs.
• Kids are much less likely to have problems, if they are active; help them plan and/or participate in positive activities.
• Be involved. Kids really do like it when adults are active and involved in their lives. It means you care.
• Role model expected behavior. Be careful about what you say and do in front of your kids. Your own actions are the most powerful indicator to your kids what is appropriate and/or acceptable.
• Do not take part in illegal, unhealthy, or dangerous practices related to alcohol. Don't drink and drive and expect your kids to not do the same. If you do it, they may think it's okay no matter what you say.
• Be aware. Be aware of what is going on in your home. Many teens say it is easy to get alcohol from their own homes without their parents ever knowing about it.

• Are good role models.
• Know the facts.
• Have clearly stated rules.
• Communicate openly.
• Build self-esteem.
• Teach responsible decision-making skills.
• Know their kid's friends.
• Refuse to supply alcohol to minors. Remain at home when they host a party.
• Make sure that alcohol is not brought into their home or on their property by underage individuals.
• Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at events their kid(s) will be attending.
• Create alcohol-free opportunities and activities in their home so kids feel welcome.
• Get HELP when needed!

• It is considered binge drinking when you drink five or more drinks of alcohol on the same occasion.
• Alcohol poisoning is when a toxic amount of alcohol is consumed in a short period of time.

Warning Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing, the heart beat and the gag reflex (prevents choking). A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions. When the victim stops drinking, the heart keeps beating and the alcohol in the stomach continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body.

As a result, the following can happen:

• Victim chokes on own vomit;
• breathing slows, becomes irregular and stops;
• heart beats irregularly or stops;
• hypothermia (low body temperature) leading to cardiac arrest; and/or
• hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar) leading to seizures.

Even if the victim lives, alcohol overdose can lead to irreversible brain damage. Rapid binge drinking (which often happens on a bet or a dare) is especially dangerous because the victim can ingest a fatal dose before becoming unconscious.

Critical Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

• Mental confusion, stupor, coma or cannot be roused;
• no response when pinching the skin;
• vomiting while sleeping;
• seizures;
• slow breathing (less than eight breaths per minute);
• irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths); and/or
• hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color and paleness.

Many people try different methods to reverse the effects of alcohol to become sober. Most of these methods are myths. They don't work.

"Common Myths Used to Sober Up"

• Drink black coffee.
• Take a cold bath or shower.
• Sleep it off.
• Walk it off.

If you suspect an alcohol overdose, help is required immediately. Do not wait for all symptoms to be present. Be aware that a person who has passed out could die. Any one or a combination of any of these symptoms can be fatal.

• Dial 911.
• Stay with the victim.
• Keep the victim from choking on vomit; turn them on their side.
• When emergency services arrive tell them the symptoms and, if you know, how much alcohol the victim drank.

                  Your prompt response may save a life.

Set Rules

Establish clear rules about alcohol.

• Be specific. Explain to your kids what the laws are, what your household rules are and what behavior you expect.
• Be consistent. Be sure your kids understand that the rules must be maintained at all times. Also, ensure they understand that the rules you have in your home must be maintained in someone else's home, too. Remind them they must follow your rules at all times.
• Be reasonable. Don't change the rules midstream or add new consequences without talking to your kids. Avoid being unrealistic.
• Recognize good behavior. Always let your kids know how thankful you are when they do follow and respect your rules. Celebrate successes!
• Review rules frequently. Sit down and visit with your kids frequently about the established rules and your expectations. This will help avoid misunderstandings, and remind them that even if they are growing up, the rules are basically the same.

Headed for College - Are They Ready???

Studies show that binge drinking is the most widespread health problem on college and university campuses in the United States. Research defines binge drinking as having five or more drinks in a row. Reasons adolescents give for binge drinking include:

• To get drunk.
• Status associated with drinking.
• Culture of drinking on campus.
• Peer pressure and academic stress.

Providing alcohol to underage drinkers is illegal. Parents modeling respect for authority send a message that it is NOT okay to break the law. Parents have to set limits. Young people expect it and deep down they want it.

One of the best places to get information on campus life is during a campus visit. When visiting a school, talk to other students and ask them about the alcohol use on campus, where do kids go to have fun and how do they spend their time when they are not in class. Check out campus bulletin boards and/or newspapers for alcohol violations. Ask for a student handbook or check online for the campus drug/alcohol policies and the consequences associated with violating them. Tour the living quarters or residence halls and see how students live - are the trash cans full of empty beer cans? Visit with resident advisors or other housing staff members and ask for their opinion. Ensure the college or university you choose supports your values and ethics regarding underage drinking. Stay in touch with your kid(s). Support their decisions; however, continue to share your wisdom and experience. In short, don't stop being a parent just because your teen is growing up.

Kids must arrive on college campuses with the ability to resist peer pressure and know how to say no to alcohol. For many, entering college may be the first time they are away from home. They may find it difficult to find the courage to resist peer pressure and the strength to answer with a resounding NO! Parents need to help stop the epidemic of underage drinking NOW!

Talk to your kids about alcohol. You need to LEAD - Listen, Educate And Discuss the dangers and consequences of underage drinking, warning signs and proper reactions to overconsumption/alcohol poisoning. If you aren't talking to your kids, then who is?

Be Aware of the Danger Signs

• Abuse of alcohol; drinking to get drunk; heavy drinking.
• Binge drinking (five or more drinks of alcohol on the same occasion).
• Hangovers and blackouts.
• Trouble with relationships.
• Misses classes or falls behind in school work.
• Gradual or sudden, in adolescents, deterioration in personal appearance and hygiene.
• Legal problems.
• Family history of alcohol abuse.

Young people rank parents among the top influences for not using alcohol.

   Talk

      to Your

         KIDS

            TODAY!