If you have alcohol in your home, keep track of it - know what and how much you have, and keep it where it is not accessible to teens. Alert police if you have information about where/how teens are getting alcohol in your community.
Get to know the parents of your teen's friends. Let the parents of your teen's friends know your rules, and where you stand on underage alcohol use. Make sure the parents of your teen's friends know they can call you if they have concerns about your teen, and offer to return the favor.
Enforce your rules consistently. Don't look the other way if your teen violates the rules. They need to know you're serious. Tell your teen what behavior you expect from them while they are out. Decide, before a rule is broken, what would be a fair and appropriate consequence; then be sure to communicate that with your teen.
Before your teen goes out, ask if adults will be present and if alcohol will be present. Check with other parents about your teen's activities or drop by once in a while where your teen tells you they will be. Be sure your teen knows how to reach you before they leave the house. Ask your teen for the address and phone number of the home they will be visiting.
Wait up, or set the alarm for curfew time. When they arrive home, looks for signs of use. Talk with your teen about their night. Prepare in advance for what you would do and say the FIRST time you discover that your teen has been drinking.
Find out more about what parents can do to prevent underage drinking and other drug use.
Celebrations:
Do You Know the Law?
Proms, graduations, summer parties – some adults think it is better to manage young people's alcohol consumption; but they could be in more trouble!
Click here for information on the laws in Maine
Download "Responsible Celebrations” (PDF)Download our prom awareness newspaper ad (PDF) (This ad will be appearing in the Times Record, Coastal Journal and Forecaster newspapers.)
Modeling:
Do You Know the Messages You're Sending?
Our kids learn from our behavior - and as parents we may sometimes send mixed messages about alcohol without meaning to!
Click here for tips
Talking:
...to your Teen.
I want to talk to my child about the dangers of drinking, but I'm not sure what to say.
Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child About Alcohol
...with other Parents.
I want to talk to other parents that I feel comfortable with about the challenges we face keeping our kids safe from drugs and alchohol, in a setting that is comfortable for me.
Download the "Table Talk” brochure (PDF)
What other drugs are youth using?
Online Inhalant Abuse TrainingDownload the "Heroin & Prescription Drug Information Sheet” (PDF)View the "Close to Home” video
Other community resources from CASA:
(Communities Against Substance Abuse)
Information for Retailers
Alcohol server & seller trainings, employee education materials, liquor laws and more.
Information for Teens
Local programs, websites and resources available for teens.