How Parents Can Help Keep Their Teens Safe from Alcohol & Drugs

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 17, 2006--In response to a survey
released today by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
(CASA) at Columbia University that finds a dangerous disconnect
between parents and teens when it comes to drugs and alcohol, Phoenix
House offers five steps parents can take to protect their children.


CASA reports that 80 percent of parents believe that neither alcohol
nor marijuana is usually available at parties their teens attend. BUT
50 percent of teen partygoers attend parties where alcohol, drugs or
both ARE available.

"ALL parents need to recognize that actively preventing alcohol and
drug use is their job, even if they believe their teen is not involved
in high-risk behavior," says Bessie Oster, director of Phoenix House's
Facts on Tap program, a national prevention initiative for teenagers.

"At Phoenix House, we regularly see 'good kids' who get into trouble
with alcohol and drugs right under their parents' noses."

Many parents know the basics of prevention: Start when kids are
young.... Be firm and clear about expectations.... Remind teens that
alcohol and drugs can be extremely dangerous.... Listen to teens and
encourage them to share their thoughts.... Don't provide alcohol to
minors.

But the everyday implementation of these concepts can be more
challenging - so here are some very specific tips for parents to help
keep teens safe:

(1) Know your kids' friends. It may not be your job to parent your
teen's friends, but they will influence your child's decisions
and it's in your family's best interest for you to know
friends and friends' families.

(2) Limit unsupervised time. Teens are great at finding parks,
woods, open fields, or other places to hang out. These
unsupervised areas provide opportunities for drinking and drug
use, so try to limit the times your child has to explore such
areas on their own.

(3) Know your teen's plans. Know when they are going, where they
are headed and how they are traveling. Insist that your teen
keep you posted of any change in plans. Get contact
information where you can reach them 24/7 and make sure your
child knows how they can contact you at all times.

(4) Pick a curfew that is reasonable for both you and your teen.
Make sure your teen knows there will be consequences for
violating curfew and then follow through if rules are not
followed.

(5) Be party smart. If the party is elsewhere, confirm with the
parents of the host that a responsible adult will supervise to
ensure that no alcohol will be served. If the party is at your
house, set the rules in advance and make sure your teen knows
what's expected. Limit attendance. Set a time for the party to
end. Keep your alcohol locked up. Know your legal
responsibilities. Invite other parents to chaperone. Do not
hesitate to call the police if things get out of control.


Facts on Tap (www.factsontap.org) is one of the nation's most
comprehensive alcohol and drug prevention/ intervention initiatives on
college campuses. Facts on Tap is a program of Phoenix House
(www.phoenixhouse.org) , which operates more than 100 drug and alcohol
treatment programs around the country, and is funded by MetLife
Foundation.