Party Guidelines
Introduction
• One of the biggest and most dangerous risks that adolescents face is the use and
abuse of alcohol and other drugs at parties.
• Since some parents think that alcohol is not a drug or not as dangerous as other
illegal substances, it is not rare for adolescents to be at a party where alcohol is being
served, used and most likely abused.
• Parent awareness about teen alcohol use needs to be raised. Parents need basic
guidelines for creating a safer environment for their children.
Did you know?
• Many parents dismiss underage drinking as a normal “rite of passage” in adolescence.
• Alcohol is one of the most common contributors to injury, death, and criminal
behavior among youth.
• Underage alcohol use can seriously damage both short and long term academic and
developmental processes.
• A common way that underage drinkers gain access to alcohol is at parties.
• These parties are often gatherings of young people at a house ( frequently when
parents are away), or in an outdoor unsupervised area.
• Young people who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crime, be involved in
drinking-related traffic accidents, and/or have serious problems in school.
• Alcohol is the No. 1 youth drug problem in Mexico and the US. More young people
die from alcohol-related causes than from all other illicit drugs combined.
• Teaching teens to drink responsibly is not an option, for there is no “responsible” teen
drinking.
• A person who begins drinking as a young teen is four times more likely to
develop alcohol dependence than someone who waits until adulthood to use
alcohol.
• Young teens who feel that they do not fit in are more likely to do things to
try to please friends, including experimenting with alcohol.
• Parents can have a major impact on their children’s drinking, especially
during the preteen and early teen years.
• Developing open and trusting communication between parents and their
children is essential in helping teens avoid alcohol use.
How to host a teen party?
• Agree on a guest list—and don’t admit party crashers. Ask the ages of the
friends that will be attending and how they know your son or daughter.
• Discuss ground rules and any concerns with your child before the party:
- Make it clear that alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are not allowed.
- Set a beginning and ending hour for the party.
• Put valuables, weapons, alcohol and breakables in a secure area.
• Encourage your teen to plan the party with a responsible friend so that he
or she will have support if problems arise.
• Establish a signal that your child may use with you if he or she needs help.
• Set an area for the party; do not allow guests in other areas (bedrooms,
garage, etc.) and frequently check both the party and the off-limits areas.
• Consider having chaperones to help you monitor the areas and the kids.
• If a guest brings alcohol into your house, ask him or her to leave. You may
even want to be prepared to call that guest’s parents if he or she appears to
be under the influence and/or brings alcohol or other drugs to the party.
• Serve plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Be visible and available - but don’t join the party!
Before you send your teen out to party
• Call the adult host to confirm party location and time.
• Get to know the parents of your teen’s friends. Make sure they share your
expectations of drug and alcohol-free parties.
• Confirm that no alcohol will be served and adult supervision will be on-site. Make
sure that the parent is trust-worthy.
• Discuss drop-off and pickup expectations with your teen. Make sure your teen has a
cell phone for an emergency phone call.
• Make it easy for your teen to leave a party if there are drugs or alcohol. Practice
refusal techniques with them. Make arrangements for them to call you or another
trusted adult if they need to be picked up. Emphasize they should never ride home with
any driver who has been drinking.
• Stay up and greet your teen when they return home.
• Be clear about consequences (in advance) if your teen chooses to drink alcohol.
ASFG Community Agreetment
As parents and educators we are aware that one of the greatest challenges
facing our children is the danger of teen alcohol use. We understand that it
is crucial to act as a community in helping our children make healthy
choices. As an ASFG middle and high school community member we
promise the following:
- We are personally responsible for supervising events that our MS /HS
children host.
- We will not allow alcohol to be consumed by MS /HS students at events
we are responsible for hosting.
- We will not allow our sons or daughters to attend events that are not
supervised by parents or legal guardians.
- We will not allow our sons or daughters to attend parties where we know
alcohol will be available for MS /HS Students.
- We will talk to our sons daughters about the dangers of alcohol and how
to effectively protect themselves from peer pressure.
Back to Top |