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Serving Alcohol at Graduation Parties: A Rite of Passage?
Jerry Garner, Chief of Police, Greeley Police Department
 For the next few weeks, there will graduation ceremonies all over Weld County. It’s an exciting time, as teens close one very important chapter of their lives and prepare for the future. But it’s equally important that our teens stay alive to enjoy that future.
Is your family planning a graduation party for a teen? Do you think it’s ok for high school graduates to celebrate with alcohol? While some adults think serving alcohol at graduation is a “rite of passage,” actually, nothing could be further from the truth.
Consider these realities:
- If teens drink alcohol or use marijuana at a party, they can be arrested. If convicted, it is on their permanent record.
- If they drink alcohol or use marijuana on your property—with or without your consent— YOU can be arrested.
- Alcohol can permanently damage teenage brains.
- It can also lead to sexual assaults and unwanted pregnancies.
- If kids use marijuana or alcohol and drive, they could get a DUI or a drugged driving arrest. The average cost of a DUI is more than $10,000.
- Teens put their lives at risk if they drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or ride with someone else who has. If they have had alcohol or drugs at your home, and get in an accident as a result, YOU can be held financially responsible in a civil lawsuit.
- If a teen is convicted for driving under the influence, there are certain careers that are no longer open to them, like law enforcement and even some healthcare careers.
Graduation season is when some teens start drinking alcohol. That makes it a good time for you to share your expectations, rules and consequences with your teen. It’s also a good time for you to talk to family members and friends, and let them know that it’s not acceptable for them to serve alcohol to your youngster.
Graduation is definitely a time for celebration. It’s also a time to remind your kids to be cautious and make wise decisions about alcohol and drugs. After all, you want their future to be bright and filled with opportunities, not regrets and sorrows.
Jerry Garner is the Chief of Police for the Greeley Police Department. He is an active partner with Weld County Prevention Partners, a coalition of lawmakers, educators, law enforcement, social services and concerned parents for the prevention of drug and alcohol use by anyone under age 21.
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Parent Arrested for Serving Alcohol to Teens at Party
An elementary school teacher and mother of a teen was recently arrested in Lonoke County, Arkansas for serving alcohol to minors at a party at her home. She faces 33 counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, and violating the Arkansas Social Hosting Law. Each state has different laws about serving alcohol to minors, but in the state of Colorado, you can be arrested if a minor consumes alcohol on your property, even if you didn’t know they were consuming it there. Here’s the entire article, which recently appeared on Denver’s 9News website.
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Responsible Alcohol Retailers of Weld County Fight Proposed Liquor Law
Every time you turn on the television, you see expensive commercials touting the reasons why supermarkets should be allowed to sell full-strength beer and wine. However, members of Responsible Alcohol Retailers of Weld County are in opposition to the proposed bill, and for some solid reasons.
- Most of Colorado’s 300 breweries, 70 distillers and 130 wineries oppose the law.
- It’s estimated that nearly half of Colorado’s 1,650 independent liquor stores would go out of business.
- It would jeopardize Colorado’s craft beer, wine and liquor industry.
- The state of Colorado would lose thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue.
- As an independent state, Colorado should keep laws on the books that encourage independent businesses, and not big box chain stores owned by out-of-state executives.
- Local retailers return 52% of revenue directly to Colorado’s economy
- National chain stores like Wal-Mart, Safeway and King Soopers return only 14% of revenue to Colorado’s economy
- Putting alcohol in grocery and convenience stores would make it easier for underage kids to illegally purchase or even steal alcohol
- Underage kids work at grocery and convenience stores, and would be able to help other people their age get alcohol from those stores
Facts and figures provided by Summit Economics, the Colorado Brewers’ Guild and Colorado Licensed Beverage Association. |
Did You Know?
E-cigarettes have become the tobacco product of choice among teenagers and preteens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16% of high school students use e-cigarettes and 5.3% of middle school aged children do. 4.7 million middle and high school students are using some form of tobacco product. |
May 15-21: National Prevention Week Offers Great Opportunity to Talk to Kids
How often should you talk to your kids about alcohol, marijuana and drug use? At what age should you be talking to your kids about these subjects? When’s the best time to talk? In the car? Over dinner? At a family meeting?
Every year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hosts National Prevention Week, dedicated to increasing public awareness and action around substance abuse and mental health issues. This year, National Prevention Week is May 15-21, and it’s a great time for a “teachable moment” between you and your kids or grandchildren.
When Parents Talk, Kids Listen
First of all, it’s important to know that studies show that when parents talk to their kids about alcohol and drugs, kids are 42% less likely to use them. Studies also show that kids listen to their parents more than they do celebrities, sports figures or even their friends.
Talk to Your Kids Early and Often
Many kids take their first full drink of alcohol before they turn 10 years old. Hard to believe, but it’s true. So it’s a great idea to talk to the youth in your life about alcohol, drugs and your expectations and consequences—and not just once. You can mention National Prevention Week to your kids and ask them what they think about it. Are they worried about any of their friends? Do they have any questions? If there’s a story on the news or in the newspaper, it’s another great opportunity to talk about the subject with your kids. Or just talk about it during your every day life—while preparing dinner, driving to baseball practice, or while taking a walk.
It’s also important to remember that you shouldn’t be talking to your children—but rather, talking with your children. You can ask them what they know about alcohol and marijuana—or what they think they know. Ask them how they feel about it. But be armed with information and facts. You can find them on websites like www.wcpreventionpartners.org, www.speaknowcolorado.org and www.childrenscolorado.org.
When you take the time to have conversations with your kids about important issues, your children know that you care about them. You’ll also find that you learn more about your children—what they think, like and don’t like. I encourage every parent—and grandparent—to take the time to have these important conversations during National Prevention Week. Or any week, for that matter!
Nomie Ketterling is the Coordinator for Weld County Prevention Partners. She lives in Eaton with her husband Mike and rescue dogs Logan and Eli.
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Statistics Worth Knowing
- 27 million people aged 12 and older used an illicit drug in the past 30 days, or 1 in 10 Americans.
- There are 22.2 million current marijuana users aged 12 or older
- 66.9 million people aged 12 or older are current users of a tobacco product
- 139.7 million people aged 12 or older used alcohol in the past month
- 22.8 percent of underaged people were current alcohol users, with 13.8 percent being binge alcohol users (5 or more drinks on the same occasion)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
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You’re A Better Parent Than You Think
Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything wrong as a parent? That you don’t get to spend enough time with your child? Or you don’t know how to help him with his homework? Or you missed the school play because of a business trip? Before you beat yourself up too much, consider this:
You feed your family. You probably buy your child their favorite snacks. And serve a special dessert for celebrations, right? Remember, you don’t have to make everything home made, or buy organic or make a hot breakfast every day. You’re being a good parent by providing nourishment to your family. Want to do a little bit better? Eat meals together as a family, whether at home or at a restaurant. Turn off the TV, put down the cell phones and talk about your day. Ask every member of the family to share the best thing about the day to get the conversation started!
You’re teaching your child something every day. Whether you’re teaching a child how to tie a shoelace, or how to drive a car, you’re a teacher. Does your child know not to cross the street in the middle of the road? Does your teen know how to fix a meal, or clean a sink? You’ve helped your child learn so much. Just remember, you’re teaching your child even if you don’t think you are: your actions do speak volumes to kids. Don’t do things you don’t want them to do.
You’re running a household. As a parent, you’re responsible for doing the shopping, cleaning the house, managing the bills and making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. By doing these every day things, you’re also showing your child how to run a household. Want to do a little bit more? Make sure you teach your child how to have a budget, and how to be prepared for life’s little surprises and disasters. Talk to them about the importance of saving, and have them start a savings account.
You’re human. You’re not perfect, and neither is anyone else. When you make a mistake, how do you handle it? Try to remember that your child will learn how to handle mistakes by watching you handle yours. Don’t be too hard on yourself, or others. Pat yourself on the back for doing the best job you know how to do. And praise your child for doing the best they know how to do, as well.
It’s true parenting isn’t easy, but every day you have the opportunity to be a great parent. And if you fall short? There’s always tomorrow. |
WCPP Gets Busy During Summer Months
Looking for some family fun this summer? You’ll want to check out some of these great summer festivals and activities. While you’re there, look for Weld County Prevention Partners. We have booths at many local activities and will also participate in parades and Greeley Friday Fests all summer long.
Saturday, May 7: Cinco de Mayo Festival
Saturday, May 14: Fiesta 5K PMY
Poudre Trail-a-Thon
Luprino Safety and Health Fair
Saturday, June 4: Johnstown BBQ Days
June: Greeley Stampede
Saturday, July 9: Eaton Community Days Parade
Saturday, July 16: La Salle Days Parade
August 5,6,7: Ault Fall Festival
Saturday, August 13: Greeley School Kickoff |
Teens & Prescription Drugs
Prescription drug abuse among teens in America is on the rise. In fact, after marijuana and alcohol, prescription drugs are the most commonly abused substances by teens ages 14 and older.
Many teens think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than street drugs. After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even kid brothers and sisters use. But prescription drugs are only safe for the individuals who actually have drugs prescribed to them by a doctor, who has examined them and determined the right dose for a specific problem. The doctor also specified how the medication should be taken, and what should be avoided while taking the drug—such as drinking alcohol, smoking or taking other medications. Doctors also explain potentially dangerous side effects and can monitor patients closely for these. Besides all the potential dangers of taking drugs not prescribed for you, doing so is against the law.
As summer approaches and teens have more time on their hands, it’s a good idea to take the time to put your prescription drugs somewhere that can’t be easily accessed. By locking them away, you can be sure your teen—or their friends or friends’ friends don’t get their hands on drugs that haven’t been prescribed for someone else. While you’re at it, why not lock away your alcohol, and marijuana, as well?
It’s also a good idea to have a talk with your kids about the dangers of taking prescription drugs.
Terms to know: Here are some slang terms used by kids.
Opioids (Like Vicodin, OxyContin, Codeine)
Hillbilly heroin, oxy, OC, oxycotton, percs, happy pills, vikes
Depressants (Valium, Xanax)
barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets; candy, downers, sleeping pills, tranks; A-minus, zombie pills
Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin)
Skippy, the smart drug, Vitamin R, bennies, black beauties, roses, hearts, speed, uppers |
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