This hard-fought battle can sometimes seem overwhelming. When one reads the statistics and can see that kids start drinking as young as 12-years-old, the task is definitely daunting.
But how does one prevent it? At such an age of confusion about who they are and who they are going to be or how others perceive them, being a part of the party crowd may seem like the only option for them to have friends.
Part of being able to prevent underage drinking is understanding why it happens. Why is it that in any given 30-day period, an estimated 10 million people under the age of 21 admit to having a drink. The percentages are startling among high school students, and they’re not just drinking – they’re drinking to get drunk. Of the 42 percent of high school students that said they’d had a drink in the past 30 days, 65 percent of them drank with the intent of getting drunk.
Peer pressure is high on the list of why kids do many of the things they do, and alcohol is no different. Another factor is how the consumption of alcohol is treated in the Bahome. If the parent or parents drink, the children are more likely to pick up the same habit. In some areas, drinking and substance abuse may just be a part of the culture of an area. If police and other authoritative figures are concerned with gang activity or other crimes, teen drinking may fall to the bottom of the list and so doesn’t get the attention it needs.
Talk to your kids. Make them aware of the risk factors and dangers. Set the example for them and show them responsibility. Model the person you want them to be. Let them know they can turn to you in an instance where they may need help in overcoming substances of any kind.
The attorneys of Boles Holmes White have a history of success in the court room and are ready to represent clients nationwide. If you find yourself facing DUI or DWI charges, it is important to find an experienced DUI attorney to represent you.