tappy Thanksqiing Cooking together. A perfect moment to talk about alcohol. www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov Since 2004, The STOP Underage Drinking in the Flathead Coalition has devoted its time and resources to help bring awareness to families about the risks of substance use by our youth in the Flathead community. We strive to educate and support parents, so that they may find the best way for their children to live happy, healthy, and productive lives. Positive Parenting Prevents Substance Abuse Support your kids, and give them space to grow. Kids who drink alcohol are more likely to: Be aware of risk factors Increases risk of physical and sexual assault Use "natural" opportunities, such as dinner time or whde doing chores, to start open, honest conversations aboutis assoclated with illict drug use drinking. Interferes with brain development Be prepared. Your child may become curious about alcohol; he or she may turn to you for answers and Be a positive role medel Work with schools, communities, and civic leaders to Alcohol related crashes are a major cause of death among young people . Teens who drink are more likely to have problems with school work and school conduct protect chiidren from underage aicohel use. talk Underage Drinking Prevention they hear you under What you say to your child about alcohol is up to you. But remember, parents who do not discourage underage drink ing may have an indirect influence on their children's alcohol use. Start Early About 10 percent of 12-year-olds say thay have tried alcohol, By age 15, that number jumps to 50 percent The sooner you talk to your children about alcohol, the greater chance you have of influencing eir decision not to drink on heir chidren's Prevent Underage Drinking You are the MOST powerful influence on your child's behavior. If you would like more information or would like educational resources about proventing underago drinking, contact Flathoad Valley Chemical Dependency Clinic at (406) 756-6453 STOP STOP Underage Drinking in the Flathed Coaition