It's a wonderful time of year to celebrate the achievements of our amazing youth! It's also important to be aware that some teens may think of this time as a "rite of passage" that should include alcohol, but in reality the time period from prom night to graduation can also be the most risky and dangerous when it comes to drinking and driving.
As parents and caring adults, it is our responsibility to help our children celebrate safe and responsibly, especially since they and many of their friends are underage. Your voice matters more than peer pressure or social media. Remind your teens that underage drinking is NOT the norm - in fact, statistics show that among 6-12 grade students in Polk County, 90% DO NOT USE ALCOHOL (Florida Youth Substance abuse Survey, 2024). When teens realize that they are among the majority making healthy choices, they may feel empowered to refrain from risky behaviors.
Praise your teens for the healthy choices they make and this will help to reinforce how their choices affect their goals and future plans.
InnerAct Alliance joins with our prevention partners at Informed Families and the National Family Partnership to help Florida's kids grow up safe, healthy, and drug free. Their FREE Safe Homes, Smart Parties Guide offers tips to guide teens in ways to celebrate responsibly and establishes firm guidelines for acceptable behaviors during this celebratory time of year. Visit Informed Families and take the Safe Homes, Smart Parties pledge promising that no alcohol or drugs will be present at parties you host: https://www.informedfamilies.org/campaigns/safe-homes-smart-parties
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