http://www.dgr.unm.edu/gradlicense/.
How can I
talk to my child about underage drinking?
http://www.centurycouncil.org/underage/underage.html
Parents need to get involved early. In a recent survey, two-thirds
(67%) of Americans say parents today don't speak with their children
enough about drinking alcohol. Experts say, however, that "strong
family relationships can be a potent force to help adolescents
deal with the radically transformed conditions of contemporary
life. A crucial need of adolescents is for an enduring, stable,
supportive bond with a caring adult."
Nearly half of
parents surveyed believe friends and peers have the most influence
on kids ages 10 to 14. Experts say, however, that, "By a
margin of four to one, the person most likely to be sought out
for help by pre-teens having problems of any type is their mother."
Many parents
believe they should get out of the way when their children reach
adolescence, letting them become instant adults. Experts have
found, however, that, "31% of youth who describe their parents'
stand on illegal underage drinking as 'lenient' are likely to
say they have been drunk in recent weeks, compared to 18% of
those who describe their parents' policy as 'very or moderately
strict.'"
After 11 years
of decline in the number of high school seniors reporting daily
drinking, the numbers increased 16 percent proportionally from
2.5% in 1993 to 2.9% in 2000. However, from 1999 to 2000 there
was a 15% decrease in the proportion of high school seniors reporting
daily drinking.
While all 50
states and DC have a zero tolerance policy for youth under 21,
21% of 16-20 year old drivers involved in fatal crashes had a
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .10 or higher in 1999.
Fourteen percent of these young drivers were involved in fatal
crashes where the BAC level was .10 or higher.
According to
the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA),
children who begin drinking before the age of 15 have a four
times greater chance of becoming an alcoholic as an adult than
those who begin at 21, the legal drinking age.
According to
the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), first use of alcohol
typically begins around the age of 13.
Teenagers whose
parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are
42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don't,
yet only 1 in 4 teens reports having these conversations (Partnership
for a Drug-Free America news release, 4/26/99).
A qualitative
research study conducted by Amica Insurance confirmed that teenagers
who talk with them, versus talk at them, may be less at risk
to engage in harmful behavior involving alcohol. What's more,
teens said they would be more apt not to drink and drive if they
had heard directly from their parents how important they are
to them.
Eighth Grade: Slightly less than
one in four (22%) of eight grade students report drinking in
the past month. Eight percent of eight grade students report
being drunk in the past 30 days. About one in seven (14%) of
eight grade students report "binge drinking" in the
past two weeks.
Tenth Grade: Four in ten 10th grade
students (41%) report drinking in the past month. One quarter
of tenth grade students (24%) report being drunk in the past
30 days. One in four (26%) tenth grade students report "binge
drinking" in the past two weeks.
Seniors in
High School:
Half of all high school seniors (50%) report drinking in the
past month. One in three (32%) of high school seniors report
being drunk in the past 30 days. Three in ten (30%) of high school
seniors report "binge drinking" in the past two weeks.
What will
happen if my teenager gets caught with alcohol?
Although underage drinking is against the law, the consequences
depend on whether the offender is under 18 (juvenile) or 18-20.
With the exception of minor traffic violations, offenses committed
by juveniles (under 18) are governed by the Children's Code.
These include DWI, open container, and minor in possession. Alcohol-related
offenses committed by older adolescents (18-20) are subject to
the Motor Vehicle Code or Liquor Control Act, depending on the
violation. One exception is the Implied Consent law, which applies
to all persons under 21. According to this law, the driving privileges
of a first-offender driver under 21 will be revoked for 6 months
for a blood alcohol content of .02 or more (one beer). The criminal
penalties for this offense differ, depending on whether the driver
is 18 to 20 or younger than 18. Although the fines are the same
for both, up to $500 for a first offense, adults (18 and above)
are also required to attend DWI School and alcohol screening
as well as pay certain mandatory fees. No such requirements exist
for juvenile offenders (see pages 20-21, summary of Penalties
for Under-21 Alcohol-Related Offenses). Consequences, however,
also depend on how well laws are enforced and the penalties imposed
by the juvenile justice system. For more information, please
visit the following web site:
http://www.conwaygreene.com/nmsu/lpext.dll?f=
templates&fn=main-hit-h.htm&2.0
Is it legal
for my teen to drink alcohol at home?
In the state of New Mexico, it is a fourth degree felony to knowingly
sell, serve, or give alcoholic beverages to a minor, or to permit
a minor to consume alcoholic beverages, or to assist a minor
to buy alcoholic beverages. However, this law does not apply
to parents serving their own children in their home, to an adult
spouse of a minor, or to the use of alcohol in religious services.
Minor here means someone under 21 years of age. For more information,
please visit the following web site:
http://www.conwaygreene.com/nmsu/lpext.dll?f=
templates&fn=main-hit-h.htm&2.0 |
