Research has found that teens are most likely to use alcohol, or other drugs, for the first time in the months of June and July.
We also know from our yearly survey of over 1,800 Cortland County 7th-12th graders that the most common places teens report drinking are at their house or someone else’s house. Keep these facts in mind as your teen starts to make plans this summer!
Underage drinking can negatively impact your teen’s schoolwork, athletic performance, and mental health. However, as a parent you are in a unique position to prevent your kids, and their friends, from drinking this summer. Use the checklist below for when your teen starts planning their summer gathering.
Teen Party Safety Tips:
- Talk with your teen about the rules for the party before the event, ask for their input on what should and should not be acceptable. Do not demand or lecture!
- Be open to talking with other parents about the event and rules if they reach out
Be visible, but don’t crash the party - Create a “party area” and lock rooms that are not in the designated area
- Parents can also work towards reducing alcohol access at home all the time, not just when their teen is having a larger gathering. One of the number one ways we can prevent underage drinking in Cortland County is eliminating access to alcohol at home.
Reducing Alcohol Access at Home:
- Have a reliable system to track your alcohol inventory or a liquor cabinet that locks
- Have clear family rules about alcohol use and discuss them with your teen
- When rules are established and broken, enforce fair consequences. Allow your teen input on what they think the consequences should be if they break the rules.
- Monitor all teen gatherings in your home
Preventing Underage Drinking Parties
Social Host Ordinance prevents underage drinking parties by holding the host (e.g., parents or other adults) accountable for these parties. A social host ordinance sends a clear
message to parents and other adults that it is not acceptable to give alcohol to teens.
The Social Host Ordinance:
Holds adults criminally responsible for allowing underage drinking on their premises; Empowers parents, neighbors, and other concerned citizens to seek help from law enforcement when there are youth suspected of underage drinking; Provides law enforcement with a formal course of action to combat underage drinking.
The Ordinance
Where It Applies:
The ordinance applies to the
residents living in Cortland County.
Potential Fine:
A citation could result in a fine up to $250. A citation could result in up to 15 days in jail.
