Smart drinking for teens

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Without warning it seems, your child’s pre-teen years have passed on by and they have launched into young adulthood, eager for a taste of the grownup world.

Providing safe passage for teenagers as they begin to attend social events now equipped with a six-pack of beer instead of fairy bread and cocktail sausages, can raise a few dilemmas for parents as well as anxiety levels.

As father of three young adults, local Mangawhai Constable Dale Wewage understands how complex it can be to manage the transition and has both personal and professional guidelines for parents.

He says, initially, parents need to know that if their child hosts a party where teens will be drinking, the host’s parents are ultimately responsible for those who attend.

“Young teenagers cannot be responsible for the party especially if they are drinking,” he says. “Host parents are accountable for any injuries or incidents which may occur at the party.”

Having permission from parents via a phone call or a signed note stipulating their teen is allowed to drink is advised and helps with sharing the responsibility.

“The host parents need to stay at the house or venue… an adult presence is always required when teenagers start to drink socially,” he says. “You don’t want to cramp their style, give them some space but monitor the party. If a teenager has consumed too much and not feeling well or behaving drunkenly and unsocially, it’s ok to turn the music off and talk to all the party goers about responsible drinking without singling anyone out which could be embarrassing.”

He also says if a teen becomes too drunk, call the parents, however if someone is unconscious, do not hesitate to call 111. Having stable food and non-alcoholic drinks including water available is also advised.

Wewege says once teens are driving to social events, both the child’s and host parents need to know if they have alternative transport or sleeping arrangements.

“It is also ok to take keys off young drivers when they arrive,” he says.

Dropping your son or daughter off at a party is a good way to meet the host parents and establish rules like how much they are allowed to drink and pick-up times. Staying in contact with your teen through the party is also an option.

“You don’t want to overcrowd them but you want to know where they are and how they’re getting on – a quick text is all that’s needed.”

Prepping teenagers about responsible drinking, i.e. how much to drink, alternating water with alcoholic drinks, how being drunk feels and looks, staying safe with trusted people and not going off with strangers, and noting what to do if they feel peer pressure to drink alcohol, are recommended conversations.

Having a drink with your child at home to see how they react to alcohol can give you an idea about how they might handle themselves in a social situation. However role modelling responsible drinking at home and social events is the most invaluable, influential factor for children.

“It’s also a good idea to inform local police about planned parties so we are aware if anything goes wrong,” Wewege says. “And please, do not put the invite through social media, uninvited guests can cause huge problems.”

n For more information check out www.cheers.org.nz/talking-to-teens/what-works/under-18s-and-the-law.html

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