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Health & Fitness

Teen Drinking

Recent surveys done in the county show that the drug of choice for teens in Westchester is alcohol. The relaxed state of summer, the fact that it is easier for teens to gather in unchaparoned settings and the reality that most teens are not supervised as closely during the summer, and therefore teens have more opportunities to experiment with alcohol and other drugs.

To counteract this reality, it is important for parents to know where their teens are, who they are with and what they are doing.  Cell phones have made this an easier process. If a parents has any doubt about what their child is reporting to them, they can ask their child to send them a picture of their surroundings.

Keep the “no-use” conversation going and restate expectations that you have regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs.  Teens need to know that there will be consequences to alcohol and drug use and as a parent make sure you enforce them otherwise your words have no meaning. 

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