Summer is just around the corner here in Oregon, which means that young people throughout the state will soon be donning caps and gowns and marching toward graduation. If you’re a parent of a soon-to-be grad, then you know that this time of the year also means hosting and attending multiple graduation parties. https://simplevisit.com/telemedicine/nexium-type-drugs/16/ https://www.myrml.org/outreach/professional-essay-writer/42/ amoxil side effects baby viagra professional generic viagra generika versand https://thejeffreyfoundation.org/newsletter/writing-business-reports/17/ igcse geography coursework sample essay testing theory dalhousie thesis latex best site for essays source link go go here george w bush 911 speech here crestor 18 dollar card watch define biographer watch kannada essay on population explosion writing academic essays go site what is a propagandist essay amoxil vs amoxicillin viagra safe pregnancy dapoxetine use in hindi https://www.myrml.org/outreach/birth-order-essay-ideas/42/ cymbalta available strength go here what is viagra https://thejeffreyfoundation.org/newsletter/developing-quality-dissertations-in-the-social-sciences/17/ dissertation timeline Though these events are generally fun and memorable, they’re also a high-risk time for underage drinking.
As we head into the 2017 graduation season, I encourage your family to stay informed about the dangers, laws, and consequences of underage drinking and be prepared to handle the risks associated with this time of the year. Here are 6 tips for ensuring the safety of your teen during graduation.
1. Understand The Dangers of Teen Drinking
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), underage alcohol use is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined. Whether it’s drinking and driving, violent or property crimes, or through unintentional injury, underage drinking is a leading cause of death and injury among teens.
Beyond physical danger, underage drinking can also translate into criminal records and jail terms that your teen will have to deal with for years to come. For example, if your teen receives a DUI, disclosure of the resulting conviction may be required on college applications, job applications, or when applying for certain types of financial aid.
At a time when the outlook for your teen is so bright, something as seemingly innocent as celebrating with drinks at a graduation party can seriously damage his or her future.
2. Don’t Assume Your Teen Is Safe Under Adult Supervision
The presence of adults at a party is not a good reason to assume that your teen will avoid trouble. The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility notes that 55% of current underage drinkers list family and friends as their source of the alcohol they consumed.
Additionally, 48% of teens report that the last time they drank alcohol it was in someone else’s house.
Unless you explicitly trust the host parent and know that no alcohol will be present at the event, avoid letting your teen attend any graduation parties without your supervision.
3. Know New Jersey’s Social Host Laws
In NJ, social hosts are individuals who are throwing a social gathering and serving alcohol legally. In order for this otherwise legal situation to be considered unlawful, the following will be taken into account:
- An underage individual was provided alcohol
- A guest or guests were served alcohol despite the social host being aware that the guest or guests were already visibly intoxicated
- A social host provided alcohol to an individual knowing that they were going to operate a motor vehicle
- Alcohol was served to a guest despite that leading to a dangerous situation
- The social host allowed a situation which led to property damage or bodily harm which was reasonably foreseeable.
4. Drinking And Driving Is Not An Option
Drinking and driving is an extremely dangerous practice with drivers under the age of 21 representing 17% of fatal alcohol-related crashes. The legal blood alcohol content limit for most drivers is .08%. However, under NJ Zero Tolerance Law, there is no legal BAC for those under 21. Just one drink can lead to a driving under the influence of intoxication (DUII) charge and a suspended license for underage drivers.
Your teen faces liabilities even if he or she hasn’t been drinking, but is driving a vehicle that is involved in an accident where alcohol is present. If your graduate will be driving with others in the car, make sure he or she understands that alcohol inside the vehicle is strictly prohibited.
Many people have questions about DUII laws, and the truth is that there is a lot of false information floating around out there. As a parent, it’s important that both you make an effort to educate yourself on this subject and share that knowledge with the teens in your family.
5. Always Have A Backup Plan
Even if you’re confident that your teen won’t get into a dangerous situation, it’s best to establish a backup plan in case of an emergency. Make sure your teen knows there are options if he or she is ever faced with a peer pressure situation– whether that’s getting in a car with a drunk driver or being offered a drink at a party. Give your commitment to always be available to come to the rescue and you may also want to consider setting up an Uber or Lyft account that your teen can access when needed.
6. Communicate With Your Graduate
Studies confirm that parents have a significant–if not the most significant–impact on whether their teens will engage in risky behaviors, including the use of alcohol. Talking with your teen not only about the dangers of alcohol consumption, but also the legal consequences, is key. Ensure that your graduate understands the laws surrounding this behavior and the effect something like a DUI can have on his or her future.
You should also talk to your teen about the graduation parties they want to attend and get as much information as possible beforehand. Find out where the party will be and who will be hosting. Consider contacting the parents hosting each party to remind them about social host laws and make sure no alcohol will be served.
