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Strategies to Help Prevent Teens from Drinking Underage

Anyone under the age of 21 may face some tough penalties if caught consuming alcohol, but this is especially true for children still in school. Not only do they face fines, but also loss of permissions at school, including suspension from sports and activities.

Parents often begin to suspect their kids of drinking or doing drugs if they notice sudden behavioral changes, or if they have reason to be suspicious of the friends with whom they’re hanging out. There are some things parents can do to help guide their children toward making the right choices:

  • Lead by example: Parents who drink alcohol should always do so responsibly in front of their children. This means refraining from drinking too much (or too often), and never driving after you have been drinking. If you have struggled with alcohol-related problems yourself, get help and be honest with your children about the struggles you have faced.
  • Be involved: Always be involved in your children’s lives, and be loving and caring at all times. Encourage them to become independent while maintaining appropriate limits and rules.
  • Communicate: Make sure your teens know they are welcome to talk with you about what’s going on in their lives. They should also know to tell you where they’re going, who’s going to be there and other things that are happening in their lives.
  • Be understanding: Let your children know that if they do find themselves in a situation where people are drinking and they feel uncomfortable, they are more than welcome to call you to get a ride home — with no judgment. Many teens start to drink as a way to rebel against their parents, so by not making it into a bigger deal than it needs to be, you take away the rebellious aspect of the act.

If your child has been cited for underage drinking or another alcohol-related offense, reach out to skilled Berks County defense attorney David R. Eshelman.

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