Barrington Area Council of Governments

Parent Survey Done in Barrington:  Part II

As it comes time for end of the school year traditions and rites of passage, it is essential that parents remember to be watchful in their efforts to curb underage drinking.  The Community Drug Prevention Coalition serves as a resource by being a grassroots group of local governments, social service and health agencies, schools, police, and parents with a mission to “reverse the trend of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse in our community through education, prevention, and intervention strategies and encouraging healthy alternatives”.  The CDPC is representative of Barrington, Deer Park, Kildeer, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, South Barrington, and Tower Lakes, as well as Barrington and Cuba Townships.

This article is second in a series of communications about alcohol and drug use in our community as well as parental attitudes and behaviors. In February of 2006, the CDPC sent out a survey to each household with at least one 6^th-12^th grade student enrolled in CUSD 220 or St. Anne’s Catholic School.  The purpose of the survey was to gather information from parents regarding youth alcohol and drug use.  The surveys were tabulated at the University Of Illinois School Of Medicine at Rockford by Dr. Joel Cowen of Health Systems Research.  A total of 3,598 surveys were mailed to households in the area, and 21% were completed and mailed back to Health Systems Research.  The information gathered from the 763 returned surveys covers a variety of issues surrounding youth alcohol and drug use.  Our previous article focused on parents’ responses to questions regarding attitudes and beliefs about teen drug use and behaviors regarding teen parties.  This article will focus on behaviors that parents can do to increase protective factors related to underage alcohol use by their teens.

Teen Behaviors

Underage alcohol use is not a topic to be glazed over.  In the 2005 Youth Risk and Behavior Survey from Barrington High School, grades 9-12 reported on many behaviors and consequences.  When students were asked how old they were when they had their first drink of alcohol, other than a few sips, 43% of students reported having theirs between 13-16 years of age. While the majority, 57%, of students at BHS had not drank in the past 30 days it is imperative that parents remain watchful of their teen(s) and their friends.

Studies show that youth who begin drinking at an early age tend to have more alcohol related problems later in life. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, “Children who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are 5 times more likely than those who start after age 21 to develop alcohol problems.”  While the majority of students do make healthy choices when it comes to underage alcohol or drug use, students may also be confused about their parents expectations if these expectations have not been clearly expressed.

While most teens make educated, healthy decisions regarding alcohol and drug use, it is the time of year for a refresher on how parents can continue to support those decisions.  End of the school year festivities and rites of passage, such as graduation and prom, make this a prime time for childhood and teen underage drinking.

The survey revealed that the vast majority, 96%, of parents ask about whom their teen will be with when going out, and 91% report always asking what their teen will be doing.  A smaller amount of respondents, 69%, always investigate whether or not an adult or parent will be present to supervise when a teen is going to another teens home.

It is important to remember to also ask whether or not drugs or alcohol will be available where teens are going.  Roughly 48% of parents surveyed responded that they usually or always ask this vital question.  The CDPC commends parents with such good follow through and encourage others to take their cue!  Many parents always or usually decide to wait up for their teens to arrive back home safely (92%), but only 55% always or usually check to see if their teen is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  This can be simply done with a smell of their breath, a short conversation, or by checking their eyes – in a very small amount of time.  According to one parent survey respondent, “I think parents ask ‘the questions,’ but do not follow up and check up on their teens.”

What’s Next?

Parents can become more aware of what their teens are doing and become involved in their life.  This is not an easy task as stated by a parent survey respondent, “We don’t want them to go to parties where drinking is occurring, but they find a way…Also, with cell phones and the number of times they switch locations in a given night, I don’t always truly know where he is”.  It is important to remember that there are resources available for parents and that you should never feel as though you have to do this alone.  Check out www.theantidrug.com, www.parentingisprevention.org, http://ncadi.samhsa.gov, and www.alcoholfreechildren.org.  Results of the survey administered by the CDPC were promising in regards to positive parental practices. Let’s all work to keep this time of year a joyous and celebratory time of year with our teens safety as a top priority.