Task Force Warns about Youth Alcohol Use During Holidays

The holidays are coming, and with them come family, friends, celebration and more ways than ever to take advantage of opportunities to teach youth about the risks of underage drinking and substance abuse. The Seacoast Substance Abuse Task Force is reminding families to stay alert to underage drinking and substance abuse this holiday season.

At home, it can sometimes be hard to pay attention to everything happening during a family celebration, so the Task Force suggests keeping plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available for children, youth and non-drinking adults. Fully 74 percent of NH's youth say it would be easy or very easy to get their hands on beer, wine or hard liquor. Among students who reported getting alcohol for use, the percentage who usually got the alcohol by buying it in a liquor store, convenience store or supermarket during the past 30 days was only 3.3 percent. That means that youth are getting alcohol from of-age adults.

December is Alcohol Awareness Month, and youth groups in the Greater Seacoast region will be working with retailers throughout the month on Project Sticker Shock, targeting adults tempted to buy alcohol for youth under 21 who cannot legally buy it themselves. Highly visible red and black stickers on store beer cases will provide a strong reminder: Buyers Beware: Providing Alcohol to Minors is a Criminal Offense; $2,000 Fine; New Hampshire State Liquor Commission

Adults need to set a better example for youth, said Cyndi Desrosiers, Task Force co-chair. When adults supply alcohol to youth it sends a very mixed message. Underage drinking is not a teen problem, but a community problem. Adults, youth, law enforcement, and retail stores all need to be part of the solution.

At community celebrations, parents can help youth develop critical thinking skills by deconstructing holiday-themed marketing that links alcohol to having a good time, and prevent youth from entering areas where alcohol is serves. Many communities host alcohol-free celebrations, like First Night, that send a positive message about community togetherness without drinking.