Actions often speak louder than words. What you do as a parent could affect your child's behavior even more than what you tell them. If you tell your child not to drink and drive but you do, you are really saying "this is ok." Even if you don't do it often, and even if it's a small drink, you are sending a risky message. Teenagers do try to be like the adults in their lives, but they are more likely to take risks.

Alcohol interferes with a person's ability to make correct decisions. This is true for adults, but it's even worse for teenagers. Teens are less experienced with solving problems and making good decisions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (CDC/NCIPC), teens who drink and drive are more likely to hurt themselves and others than are adults.¹ A CDC/NCIPC report states that:

• Teens were 10 percent of the U.S. population in 2000, but were involved in 14 percent of all motor vehicle—related deaths.
• Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed, run red lights, make illegal turns, ride with a drunk driver, and drive after using alcohol or drugs.
• No matter how much or how little they drink, the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash is greater for teens than for drivers who are older.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) also reports that on one of the most popular prom nights in 1999, as many as 62 percent of the traffic deaths were alcohol-related.²

Aside from the risks linked with drinking and driving, teens who drink may suffer long-term emotional and physical effects and do poorly in school:

• Alcohol use among youth has been linked with depression and suicide.
• High school students who use alcohol are five times more likely than other students to drop out of school.
• Like adults, youth who drink a lot are at greater risk of developing certain diseases, like cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, hemorrhagic stroke, and certain forms of cancer.³

Other long-term effects linked with alcohol use among teens include not wanting to eat, not getting enough vitamins, memory loss, and stomach problems.

When a young person drinks, he may make other risky or wrong decisions that can hurt himself or others.⁴

By choosing not to drink and drive, parents set a good example for their child. The parents also protect her from harm later on.

Children are watching. Be a good role model.

References:

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teen Drivers: Risk Factors, last referenced 5/28/03.

² Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Prom/Graduation Weekend Alcohol-Related Fatalities - 1999, last referenced 5/28/03.

³ National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. Consequences of Underage Alcohol Use,last referenced 5/28/03.

⁴ Center for the Advancement of Health. Parents' Risky Behavior Rubs Off on Children, last referenced 5/28/03.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Involvement by Young Drivers in Fatal Alcohol-Related Motor-Vehicle Crashes.
• Kidshealth.org. Talking to Your Child About Alcohol.
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Alert: Drinking and Driving.
• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. You Can Help: A Guide for Caring Adults Working with Young People Experiencing Addiction in the Family.