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We need to be mindful:
- That parties, sleepovers, gatherings and other activities for youth in our community
are being held WITHOUT adult supervision (or any supervision) and that alcohol,
tobacco, marijuana, other drugs and violence are commonly present.
-
That there are many risks associated with alcohol and drug including; accidents,
violent abuse, injury, acquaintance rape, sexually transmitted diseases,
pregnancy and addiction.
- That both adults and young people need to know that alcohol is not to be equated with
"fun" or "party"; this is a false idea encouraged by the alcohol advertising
industry.
- That we need to support each other in hosting drug-free activities and encouraging
young people to attend drug-free events.
Simple
guidelines to keep your child safe:
1. Set age-appropriate family guidelines for your children; and KNOW:
- Where your children are going.
- Whom they will be with;
- What their plans are:
- When they are expected to return home, and what the consequences will be if this rule is broken by your children.
2. Actively support and enforce a clear, consistent, message and policy for all
youth that there will be "NO USE" of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and
other drugs or violence.
3. Talk to other parents (the parents of your children’s friends) and agree on
expectations and rules for your children and the consequences for a youth who
breaks the rules.
As a parent of a youth hosting an activity or party:
Encourage "by invitation only" activities.
Never permit "party crashers"; use a guest list.
Be a visible, active host. Tell guests who choose to leave the activity that they may NOT return.
Call the parents of the youth who leave and inform them so they know you are no longer supervising their child.
NEVER allow anyone under the "influence" to leave (MUST be with an adult). Call the parent or police.
As a parent of a youth invited to an activity or party:
Call the host parent and introduce yourself.
Verify with the parent, the occasion and location.
Check that there will be active, responsible, adult supervision at all times.
Verify that there will be no alcohol, drugs or violence allowed, served, provided, or
available at all.
If the activity seems inappropriate, express your concern to the parent and to your
children: keep your children home and plan another activity, perhaps with the
family
The Alcohol-free Teens Pledge
A pledge for families that want to make their homes a safe place for teens.
Dear parents, grandparents and guardians,
Teens are now entering the "Independent Stage" of their lives and want to be left home alone
while you are out. And, often times teenagers left alone may call a friend or
two over for company, which might result in uninvited guests who bring alcohol
or drugs. With today's advanced cell phone technology, text messaging and the
internet makes it easy to contact and gather dozens of uninvited quests to your
home in a short amount of time.
- We know that alcohol is the number 1 drug of choice in Cape May County with our
young people.
- We know that there are many risks associated with alcohol and drug including;
accidents, violent abuse, injury, acquaintance rape, sexually transmitted
diseases, pregnancy and addiction.
- We know that Alcohol use by anyone under 21 years of age is illegal.
- We know that providing or serving alcohol to anyone less than 21 years of age is
illegal.
Therefore, as a person who wants to protect our young people, I pledge:
- I will not allow parties or gatherings in my home without proper adult supervision.
- I will not serve nor will I allow anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol in
my home or on my property.
- I will not allow the use of illegal drugs or violence in my home or on my property.
- I will call the parent host of a party that my teen is attending to assure that the
party will be alcohol and drug free and that there will be proper supervision.
- I will discuss this pledge with my teenage child/children and will role model of
responsible behavior.
Parent/Guardian name(s):____________________________________
Phone:
________________E-mail:
____________________________
Teen(s) Name(s): __________________________________________
School(s)
Attending: ________________________________________ |
