The “Parents Who Host Lose The Most” campaign is part of a countywide collaborative to prevent adult and parent provision of alcohol to minors. The campaign was developed by the Drug-Free Action Alliance in Ohio to help combat teenage drinking at house parties. Clare Desrosiers of ASAP explained that the program has shown effectiveness in other regions when implemented appropriately, and substance abuse prevention agencies and law enforcement in the county are working together to help combat underage drinking.
The ASAP collaborative found that teenagers in Aroostook County are getting alcohol from adults, according to findings in a 2006 United Way of Aroostook focus group study and a countywide ASAP-sponsored survey conducted in 2007. The studies also found that adults and parents who provide alcohol to minors view it socially acceptable and “not a big deal.”
But there are serious risks, Desrosiers explained.
“Aside from the fact that it’s illegal,” Desrosiers said, “It’s unhealthy. There’s new research out on the brain, which shows that the brain isn’t fully developed until about age 25.”
“A brain of youth is much more susceptible to alcohol,” Desrosiers stressed.
For people who drink during their teen years and adolescence the risk for alcohol abuse or alcoholism later in life is much greater than for those who don’t. Alcohol can be damaging to a teenage brain simply because it’s still developing, but that still-developing brain is also why teenagers are more likely to partake in risky behavior, such as binge or frequent drinking.
Desrosiers also explained that should anything happen – from a drunk-driving accident to alcohol poisoning to a house party being “busted” – adults and parents who provide alcohol to minors can be held legally accountable.
The “Parents Who Host Lose The Most” campaign will run through April to June, a time when a lot of teenagers are celebrating milestones such as prom and graduation. The countywide initiative will include distributing information in a variety of venues; the collaborative will seek to place placards with paychecks, air television and radio public service announcements and write op-eds for local newspapers.
Local and regional law enforcement will also be playing an important role. Police chiefs will be increasing “party patrol” and compliance checks to be sure that alcohol distributors are checking IDs.
Desrosiers urged community groups, schools or businesses that are interested to become involved. For more information, contact her at 521-2408.
Parents’ campaign introduced
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Teenagers who like to party and drink are not a new phenomena, but parents providing alcohol to their teenage children, and even hosting parties, is a new and growing trend, particularly in Aroostook County. On Jan. 25, the Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) collaborative hosted the first meeting for introduction of the “Parents Who Host Lose The Most” campaign with Aroostook County law enforcement officials and substance abuse specialists in attendance.
