Frequently Asked Questions |
Resources for Local Meetings |
See How Your State Measures Up
Does my state hold parents accountable for providing alcohol to teens?
The Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS) has information by state on underage drinking as well as information about social host laws.
The Marin Institute has a section on social host laws that links to the 60 minute video on parents letting their kids drink at home because it is "safer".
For more information on the status of your state on underage drinking laws, visit Join Together's Key Issues page and click on your state.
What do I say to parents who argue that providing alcohol to teens teaches them to drink safely?
To address the question of parental approval of underage drinking, this resource from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, Parental Disapproval of Youth Substance Use, (PDF) summarizes the research behind parents influence on the behavior of their children.
An American Medical Association poll show teenagers, especially girls, obtain alcohol easily from friends and family. View the findings from this poll and download a poster designed for use in physician's offices on this topic.
True or False: In many European countries drinking is part of family life; therefore teenagers drink responsibly in Europe compared to the United States.
This statement is false. The Youth Drinking Rates and Problems report (PDF) shows that the underage binge drinking rate in the United States is in the middle of the range of all European countries, and it is lower than in the countries that have the lowest legal ages.
How can families break the generational cycle of alcoholism?
Tell your story! The more people that stand up and talk about their experience, the more others will be comfortable also telling their story. For more information about how to advocate for recovery, visit Faces and Voices of Recovery.
What tools are available for teenagers and adults to see if they are drinking at harmful levels?
www.Alcoholscreening.org is an anonymous online screening tool based on the AUDIT that anyone 14 years or older can take to see if their drinking is harmful.
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Get Serious Toolkit.
Are you convening (or attending) a local meeting or community event focused on youth drinking or other health risks? Do you plan to meet with community leaders or elected officials? This toolkit will help you put effective alcohol policies on the agenda. Download petitions, flyers, and fact sheets with references to the research behind the recommended policies in the Institute of Medicine report on underage drinking.
this place, a 15 minute film depicts today's generation of youth and alcohol issues, how this is different from 20 years ago and what communities across the country are doing about it. (Visit the website for ordering information.)
The Impact of Alcohol-Related Issues in Your Community. A map that examines alcohol-related issues and statistics on the front and action steps for reducing these problems on the reverse side.
The Community Alcohol Personality Survey. (PDF) A three-part process that will help you establish the size and shape of the underage drinking problem in your community, identify the contributing factors so you can implement actions to create change. It also includes an evaluation process so you can track your changes.
NIAAA's Underage Drinking Initiative.
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Alcohol Taxes
Increasing alcohol prices through taxes, particularly on beer, is an effective strategy for reducing underage drinking.
Alcohol Marketing
Limiting alcohol advertising and promotional activities that target young people will protect America's youth.
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