UNDERAGE DRINKING
SOCIAL HOST LAWS
In Connecticut, allowing anyone under the age of 21 to possess alcohol in any dwelling unit or on private property is a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in jail for the person who owns or controls the property.
The Person in control of the property does not need to be present, does not have to be aware of the drinking, nor do they have to be an adult for the fines to be incurred.
NEW PREVENTION RESOURCES
Third Place: Safe Driving PSA, Greenwich High School
Each year, Greenwich High School Outreach Club organizes a Safe Driving Day, along with other events throughout the year that focus on substance misuse/ abuse, mental health challenges and ways to keep themselves and their friends safe. In April, they organized our Safe Driving Day event to include the Save A Life Tour, in which a virtual presentation was given to all GHS students during homeroom on April 6th, and an interactive demonstration & driving simulation was set up in the gym on April 13th. In addition to the Save A Life Tour, many community organizations volunteered their time to participate and educate the students on the importance of safe driving. These amazing organizations include our Greenwich Police Department, Greenwich Fire Department, Greenwich EMS, Greenwich Together Local Prevention Council, ARCH Street Teen Center, MADD, AAA, Donate Life CT, The Harris Project, Liberation Programs and Fresh Green Light. GHS TV Production students took charge of videotaping the Safe Driving Day event, creating the Safe Driving PSA video, and putting it together for the entry into this contest. They came in third place and won $2,500. Their campaign featured research-based messaging that was shared on Twitter, a Safe Driving Day event at Greenwich High School that was promoted on Instagram, and video interviews with safe driving organizations. Thank you to GHS staff Kathy Steiner and Sean Mayo for helping the students achieve this award!
Confidential Alcohol Screening
Answer just a few questions and we’ll provide health and risk guidelines related to your drinking.
Everyone is NOT Doing it!
TAKE THIS QUIZ FOR A REALITY CHECK.
PARENTS: HAVING TEENS DRINK AT HOME IS NOT A SAFER ALTERNATIVE!
Teen brains are more vulnerable to alcohol.
Research shows that the teen brain doesn’t fully develop until 25. Alcohol can alter this development, potentially affecting brain structure and function.
Underage drinking increases the risk of alcohol problems later in life.
Research shows that people who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.
FIRST DRINK UNDER 15
40 - 50%
Chance of developing a substance use disorder.
FIRST DRINK UNDER 18
32%
Chance of developing a substance use disorder.
FIRST DRINK OVER 18
15%
Chance of developing a substance use disorder.
FIRST DRINK AT 21
3%
Chance of developing a substance use disorder.
TEENS: THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK!
SAMHSA
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Tips for starting and continuing conversations about the dangers of drugs and alcohol at a young age.
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Resources to help you answer tough questions.
Search Institute
Keep Connected offers all kinds of families—and organizations that support them—ideas, activities, and experiences to help build strong family relationships. Their goal is to strengthen family relationships to help kids be and become their best selves.
Underage Drinking: Facts & Prevention
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism
Get the latest facts, learn the dangers and warning signs of underage drinking and find out how you can prevent it.
A Parent’s Guide to Underage Drinking
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
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Although young people drink less often than adults do, when they do drink, they drink more, exponentially increasing risks to health and safety.
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Teen brains are more vulnerable to alcohol. Research shows that the teen brain doesn’t fully develop until 25. Alcohol can alter this development, potentially affecting brain structure and function.
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Underage drinking increases the risk of alcohol problems later in life. Research shows that people who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.
Learn what parents can do to prevent underage drinking.
Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
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"When conversations around alcohol go up, underage drinking rates go down. Kids need to hear reportedly that underage drinking is illegal. And that underage drinking and drunk driving are both illegal and dangerous."
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"Research shows that when conversations go up, underage drinking goes down. Since 2003, conversations between parents and kids have increased 73%. During that same period, underage drinking has decreased by 50%."
Let's #MentionPrevention
Let’s #MentionPrevention is a campaign designed to assist retail and dining locations as they adjust to this unusual time, do their part in keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors. We're looking to partner with our local restaurants, breweries and liquor establishments to help #MentionPrevention when offering to-go alcohol purchases in store, curbside, or delivery.
The campaign consists of an onsite retailer poster designed to remind staff about the importance of ID checks and keeping alcohol away from minors in this challenging time. It includes important tips when carding those who are wearing masks, especially if you don’t have an ID scanner at your establishment.
We also ask the establishments to include our customer insert card in any and all sales of to go alcohol purchases. This customer facing piece contains important information for those who make the purchase reminding them about the dangers of underage drinking and alcohol access for minors.
Poster for Retailers
Customer Card
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