The recent spate of DUIs among young celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan probably doesn’t help matters. Some teens are surely turned off by their antics, but Stephen Wallace, PhD, CEO of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), thinks irresponsible celebrities are sending exactly the wrong message: “They’re making it seem like a big joke, promoting the idea that drugging, drinking and driving, getting arrested, and going to rehab are just what young people do.”
Once a teen is among a group who drinks, it can be hard for him to speak up, even if he knows it’s the right thing to do. A teenager might be embarrassed about calling his parents for a ride home because it seems babyish or uncool. And if he’s been drinking, he won’t want his parents to find out; also, his own judgment will be distorted by alcohol.
What You Can Do
Most teens actually respect what their parents have to say. According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), numerous studies show that parents are a primary factor in young people’s decisions, especially when it comes to alcohol. Some tips to remember:
Talk to your teen. Discussions about drinking and driving should begin at age ten or eleven, well before your child gets a driver’s license. “Don’t lecture, but give accurate information about how dangerous this is,” says Von Karin King, PsyD, manager of the Mental Health Clinic at Hazelden’s Center for Youth and Families in Plymouth, Minnesota. Be specific about what can happen to him: He could lose his driving privileges, or injure or kill himself or a friend. Let him know that he can always call you to pick him up—anytime, anywhere, no questions asked.
Reinforce your family’s values. Many substance-abuse specialists and organizations like MADD and SADD advocate total abstinence until the legal drinking age of twenty-one and believe parents should have zero tolerance for any drinking—with the exception of religious rites. They contend that teens who are allowed to drink at home won’t be able to hold back in other situations, not to mention the mixed message about obeying the law. However, some parents feel comfortable letting their teens toast the holidays with a sip of champagne. “Just be sure your teen understands that even one drink can impair judgment,” says Jeffrey Wolfsberg, a consultant to schools on drinking and drug use and the author of the CD set Mom, Did You Ever Try Drugs? “This means drinking and driving is never acceptable.”
