TABC News Blog (not Affiliated with TABC)

AUSTIN?Here comes Santa Claus?and jolly good times with family, friends and parties. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the mood can turn from magic to tragic when underage kids and alcohol mix. During this holiday season, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission wants to remind the public of underage drinking laws and ways to help reduce or prevent the dangerous consequences of underage drinking.

“I want everyone to have a happy holiday but want to caution adults about providing, furnishing or selling alcohol to minors. It’s against the law to give alcohol to anyone under 21 (other than your child)?even in your own residence, even with their parent’s permission,” says TABC Administrator Alan Steen.

Maximum criminal penalties for violators include up to a $4,000 fine, up to one year in jail and an automatic suspension of your driver’s license for six months upon conviction.

And the consequences don’t stop there. Adults can be civilly liable for damages caused by an intoxicated minor younger than 18 if the adult knowingly provided the alcohol or allowed the minor to be served alcohol on property owned or leased by the adult, and the minor, in turn, hurt someone, hurt themselves or damaged property.

“Don’t risk turning your home into a crime scene by providing alcohol to minors. Most importantly, don’t risk the safety and well-being of your children and your community,” Steen continues. “I want to encourage parents never to underestimate the difference you can make-the impact you may have-and the lives you may be saving.”

Studies show parents remain the number one deterrent to underage drinking, and communication is the key to prevention. Parents can take action to prevent underage drinking by:

· talking to their kids about the consequences of alcohol (legal, health, personal);
· setting clear expectations with their kids that they may not drink under the age of 21 and must obey the law;
· hosting alcohol-free parties or activities;
· getting involved in their child’s activities, meeting their friends, knowing their plans and checking on them;
· meeting the parents of their kid’s friends and exchanging phone numbers; · refusing to supply alcohol to youth;
· setting a good example (don’t drink and drive);
· knowing the signs of alcohol use;
· teaching their kids never to get into a car with someone who has been drinking.
Contact: Debbie Dixon, Director, Education and Prevention Department, (512) 206-3291

This Thursday, August 30, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) will be joining community leaders in Hidalgo and Cameron County to launch the Facts about Underage Drinking Campaign, an effort to encourage parents to talk to teens about alcohol and provide education about the consequences of underage drinking. TABC Administrator, Alan Steen states that, “Underage consumption of alcohol continues to be a problem in Texas. Recent reports from the Texas Department of State Health Services reflect that 68 percent of secondary students in Texas have consumed alcohol. About 81 percent of Texas seniors reported consuming alcohol at least once in their lifetime. We are hoping this campaign will start to educate parents about not only the legal issues related to underage drinking, but the developmental and physical consequences as well.” To support in the educational effort, the TABC has partnered with Health Alliance on Alcohol in Washington D.C. The partnership enables TABC Enforcement Agents an opportunity to receive specialized training from experts in the field of adolescent medicine about talking to teens during different stages of adolescent development. This partnership has also given the TABC an opportunity to provide parents with educational materials written by doctors at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian and the White Plains Hospital Center. These materials include information about starting conversations about underage drinking, peer pressure, college, and teen driving and alcohol.

“Research has found that teens whose parents talk with them about the consequences of underage drinking tend to have greater resistance to peer pressure and greater focus behind the wheel,” said Dan Tearno, a founding member of the Health Alliance on Alcohol and senior vice president, Heineken USA. “The efforts of the TABC are consistent with the ongoing efforts of the HAA and its members. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact this program makes on the Hidalgo and Cameron county communities. The campaign materials provide the tools to help each of us save lives through communication.”

The Facts about Underage Drinking Campaign is an 18-month pilot program that will run in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties. The TABC felt that the strong community spirit expressed during initial discussions with community leaders created the perfect environment for a campaign that relies so heavily on involvement at the local level.

“As a member of the Rio Grande Valley education community, we recognize the need to arm parents with information to educate their children and that reinforcement in the home environment is key to lasting, positive behaviors,” said Dr. Shirley A. Reed, president of South Texas College. “That is why we are proud to provide the location for the kick off of this important campaign and provide our full support to TABC’s efforts. Our children are our most valued resource and we believe in helping parents protect their children’s futures.”

The TABC plans to kick-off the campaign by acknowledging Los Fresnos High School’s efforts to deter Underage Drinking and Driving. LFHS hosted their seventh Shattered Dreams last May and invited the TABC to take pictures to use in the campaign. Using these photos, the TABC has been able to create book covers outlining the consequences of underage drinking and driving. The Texas Department of Transportation provided the printing for the book covers.

According to Mr. Steen, “Underage drinking is embedded in Texas culture. Unfortunately, many parents feel that it is a teen’s rite of passage to consume alcohol and even host events where they are knowingly providing alcohol to minors and breaking laws that were designed to protect the public. TABC’s plan is for parents, students, and communities to start conversations, address issues, and to begin to identify solutions for the challenges of addressing underage drinking in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties and ultimately the State of Texas.”

Contact: Deborah Dixon, Director, Education & Prevention at (512) 206-3290