Preventing Underage Alcohol Use
Overview
Planning
Generating Interest
Preventing Underage Alcohol Use
How many young people are underage drinkers?
In the United States, more than 10 million youth aged 12 to 20 years are underage drinkers.
Why is underage drinking prevention so important for fifth and sixth graders?
While most young people don't use alcohol, a recent national survey revealed that about one-third of fifth and sixth graders said that alcohol was easy to get. So, for many fifth and sixth graders, the opportunity is available for them to drink alcohol.
Approximately 10 percent of 9- to 10-year-olds have started drinking. Nearly one-third of youth begin drinking before age 13. Age of first use is important because those who start drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol problems later in life than those who begin drinking at age 21 or older.
How can parents and teachers help prevent underage alcohol use?
Parents, teachers, and caregivers play a vital role in influencing children’s attitudes and behaviors. They can:
- Provide the knowledge children need to recognize why they should not be drinking.
- Help children build the practical skills to reject alcohol.
- Convey clear and consistent messages that alcohol use is unacceptable.
- Support and reinforce the child’s ability to make healthy decisions.
- Plan a Reach Out Now Teach-In for fifth and/or sixth graders in their community.
Overview
What is Reach Out Now?
The Reach Out Now (RON) initiative produces school- and family-based underage alcohol use prevention materials to teach fifth and sixth graders, their families, teachers, and other adults about the dangers associated with underage alcohol use. These materials include in-class activities and lessons and a take-home section with ideas to help parents reach out now, or discuss underage alcohol use with their children. The materials are distributed to fifth- and sixth-grade teachers in the United States.
What is a Reach Out Now Teach-In?
Teach-Ins are an opportunity for prominent national, youth, State, and local leaders—using a specially designed RON lesson plan—to teach children, parents, teachers, and the community about the dangers of underage alcohol use and to reinforce the messages in the Reach Out Now materials.
Teach-Ins can occur any time during the year, but we encourage you to conduct it during Alcohol Awareness Month.
What will students learn from a Reach Out Now Teach-In?
At the end of the Reach Out Now lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe some of the effects of alcohol on the brain and body
- Identify effective alternatives to using alcohol
- Work in groups to develop an effective alcohol prevention message.
Why do the Teach-Ins always occur in April?
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) holds Teach-Ins to reinforce to parents and other adults the message of the dangers and risks associated with underage alcohol use.
Why are Teach-Ins so important?
Reach Out Now Teach-Ins encourage communities to teach young people that underage drinking is unhealthy, dangerous, and illegal. Reach Out Now also encourages families to open discussions with their children about underage drinking.
Who can participate?
SAMHSA encourages all communities and organizations across the country, particularly those from diverse populations, to participate in the national Teach-In initiative by holding a local event.
How can community-based organizations sign up?
Community-based organizations can sign up now to become part of this national initiative to prevent underage drinking. Just fill out the Community Organization Signup Form for 2009 Teach-In.
All materials for use in planning a Teach-In are downloadable.
Planning
How do I get started?
Work together with local school principals, counselors, or nurses to determine a location, date, and time to hold a Teach-In.
How can I get schools interested in holding a Teach-In?
Try speaking with a school counselor, school nurse, or Parent Teacher Association (PTA) about teaming up for a Teach-In.
You also can invite local after-school programs such as Boys & Girls Clubs or 4-H, or local faith-based organizations to team with you.
Who can conduct a Teach-In?
Anybody who is a positive influence on young people can serve as a presenter at your Teach-In. Some examples of presenters at previous Teach-In events include:
- Governors and Lt. Governors
- Mayors
- Congresspersons and Senators
- State First Ladies
- Police officers and firefighters
- Sports figures
- School personnel (teachers, principals, counselors, college/university presidents)
- Faith leaders
- Health care professionals
- Media representatives.
What if we can’t do the event during the specified Teach-In week?
While SAMHSA encourages Teach-Ins to be held during Alcohol Awareness Month, we understand that spring vacations and school testing sometimes mean Teach-Ins need to be conducted at other times. Teach-Ins may occur at the participant’s earliest convenience.
Generating Interest
How can I get media coverage for my Teach-In?
Use the media package as a guide for developing news releases, pitch articles, media advisories, op-ed articles, interview talking points, and proclamations.
How can I get parents interested?
Try sending home to parents a flyer announcing the Teach-In and highlighting reasons why the lesson is relevant to them and their child. Sample flyers can be altered to fit your local event.
How can I generate community interest?
Consider placing an ad in a local newspaper or on local radio stations. Be sure to explain the importance of educating fifth and sixth graders about the risks of underage alcohol use.
For other ideas to generate interest, see the media package.
How do I make the Teach-In engaging enough to keep students interested?
The Teach-In lesson plan for community leaders has been developed to be interactive and engaging, so that students will be interested in what the presenter has to say.
In addition, the Reach Out Now supplements contain quizzes, puzzles, and worksheets that can be done as part of the Teach-In or as separate activities.