ParentPower.Mt.Gov – The power to prevent underage alcohol use in Montana

Dear Montana Parents:

We need your help. Studies now show that parental disapproval of underage drinking is the number one reason that children choose not to drink alcohol.

That’s an important thing to remember because, here in Montana, underage drinking is a serious public health concern. Alcohol remains the number one drug of abuse for Montana’s youth. In fact, in 2008, results from the statewide Prevention Needs Assessment Survey of 16,911 students in grades 8, 10 and 12 revealed that 21 percent of 8th graders, 41 percent of 10th graders and 53 percent of 12th graders had used alcohol within the past 30 days. Even more frightening, more than one in ten 8th graders (11%), one in four 10th graders (25.7%) and one in three 12th graders (37%) had engaged in binge drinking. This is defined as having had five or more alcoholic drinks in a row during the past two weeks.

Binge drinking begins as early as sixth grade, and new evidence shows that underage drinking can cause permanent damage to a tee’s rapidly developing brain. As a result, the need for parental involvement has never been greater.

The most effective techniques are also simple. You can set clear rules about no underage drinking, know your children’s friends, where they are and who they are with and ensure that their environments are alcohol-free. It also helps to have positive interactions with your children – every day.

The Parent Power Montana web site http://parentpower.mt.gov/ is designed to give you tools you need to curb underage drinking, binge drinking, and drinking and driving in Montana.