45°
To The Editor:
My name is Zoe Hochberg, and I am a sophomore at Fairfield Ludlowe High School and a member of MADD Connecticut’s Teen Influencer Group. During Alcohol Awareness month in April, MADD urges parents to talk with their teens about alcohol leading up to, on and continuing after April 21st, which is called PowerTalk 21 day.
Each year, about 4,700 people die as a result of underage drinking, according to SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. New data from a MADD nationwide national survey of high school students shows that teens who receive a message from their parents that underage drinking is completely unacceptable are more than 80 percent less likely to drink than teens who receive other messages. Plus, we know from previous research that three out of four teens say their parents are the leading influence on their decisions about alcohol.
MADD encourages Fairfield families to connect on PowerTalk 21 day—the national day on April 21st for parents to start talking with their teens about alcohol, using the Power of Parents® handbook as their guide.
The Power of Parents handbook provides parents and caregivers with the tools and resources to have the sometimes difficult, but potentially lifesaving conversation about alcohol with their kids on PowerTalk 21 day and throughout the year. MADD provides the parent handbook, at no cost, at www.madd.org/powerofparents.
Teenagers are often surrounded by alcohol or messaging about alcohol. Whether it is talk of it or physically surrounded by it, the sooner your teens are aware of the consequences of underage drinking, and where you, as their parent stand, the better. PowerTalk 21 day provides parents with a perfect opportunity to start the communication necessary for keeping their teen safe. MADD hopes to inspire Fairfield parents and caregivers to have ongoing communication with their teens about the dangers of underage drinking.
So get talking on April 21st Fairfield! Together, with your help, we can prevent underage drinking in Fairfield.
Sincerely,
Zoe Hochberg, Member of the MADD Connecticut Teen Influencer Group
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