Give your teen space to have fun while setting appropriate boundaries.

During the long school year, teens work hard and focus on education. Over the summer, it’s natural to want to cut loose and have fun. As a parent, you have to find ways to set boundaries without stifling your teen’s hard earned fun.

Research activities
If your teen is attending a camp or going on a trip, do your research. Find out who will be supervising and what the guidelines are. Look into chaperones for trips. Know who will be driving and where your teen will be staying.

Require safety equipment for sports and activities
As your teen participates in sports and other outdoors activities, require the right safety equipment. Activities such as boating can be especially dangerous without the right precautions. Give your teen the chance to have fun as long as he’s adhering to safety rules and using the right equipment, such as helmets while biking or skateboarding.

Talk about drugs and alcohol
Continue an open dialogue about drugs and alcohol over the summer. Never allow your teen or other teens to drink alcohol in your home.

Ask your teen for suggestions
Give your teen the chance to influence her summer activities. Instead of telling her what she’ll be doing, let her come to you with suggestions and options. Discuss those options as a family to find out what works best for your teen and what aligns to the rules you’ve established. Focus on compromise and give her opportunities to earn trust and privileges.

Talk about online safety
Your teen will spend time texting and hanging out online this summer, no matter how great the weather is. It’s always the right time to talk about online bullying, online safety and privacy. It’s also a good time to talk about going to a responsible adult if illegal or irresponsible behavior is witnessed online.                  

The LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is a coalition of members of the community who strive to address alcohol and drug use in Pinellas County. Visit us online today to see how you can get involved.

Related Posts:
Are You Pushing Your Teen Too Far? How to be Tough Without Overbearing
5 Damaging Myths About Addiction

Learn more about the risks of underage drinking.

Parents and loved ones have to stay on top of underage drinking trends. Tweens and teens need the support of family members and responsible peers to avoid the risks associated with underage drinking. To educate yourself, check out these six fast facts about teens and alcohol.

Underage drinking is more common than you might think. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), half of 15-year-old teens have had at least one drink. More than 70% of teens have had at least one drink by the time they turn 18.

Alcohol affects school performance. Teens who drink suffer consequences at school related to behavior and academic performance. At a time when school performance is crucial, this problem can affect a teen well into adulthood.

The community can help. Communities, including parents, teachers, peers and leaders can help prevent underage drinking. Be supportive of the teens in your life and help to educate them about making responsible choices.

Underage drinking can cause death. According to the NIAAA, 5,000 people under age 21 die each year from alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries.

Drinking as a teen increases the risk of alcohol dependence. The NIAAA reports that individuals who begin drinking as a teen are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence as an adult.

Teens are more likely to binge drink. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that underage drinkers consume more drinks per drinking occasion than adult drinkers, on average. Binge drinking is a highly dangerous way to consume alcohol.

You can make a difference in your teen's life. Find out how to educate your teen about the dangers of underage drinking and more at LiveFree!

Related Posts:
Drunk and Wide Awake
5 Damaging Myths About Addiction

Parents, Students, Teachers, Youth and Community members — please save the date: for our annual town hall meeting!

LiveFree!, along with WEDU and numerous other partners from our community will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting, titled: Kids and Alcohol and you're invited!  We will be taping the meeting for an upcoming show to appear on WEDU! We would love for you to be part of the audience! The Town Hall Meeting will take place at the Palladium Theater at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.

This informational meeting will discuss topics on the issues of underage drinking in Florida. Our main goal is to increase the awareness of substance abuse and the problem that it is causing among teens in Florida. Some of the topics up for discussion will include:

• Underage alcohol use
• Synthetic marijuana use
• Prescription drug misuse and abuse
• Peer Pressure faced by our youth

Those are just a few topics we will be discussing and please, if you have any other topics you want discussed or specific questions you would like answered at the meeting, contact livefree@operpar.org.

So, don't forget to save the date for the Town Hall Meeting: Kids & Alcohol — March 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Palladium Theater. The Palladium Theater is located at 253 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg FL.

If you would like more information on this event, please contact livefree@operpar.org or you can visit LiveFee! online. And if you want to join our mailing list, just text LIVEFREE to 22828 and don't forget to include your email address!

We hope to see you there!

Related Post:
Marijuana Use is Increasing Among Teens

Take a closer look at issues surrounding drug and alcohol use.

You've probably heard about all of the negative consequences to drug and alcohol use, but there may be a few factors that you haven't yet considered. Here are a few more outcomes to think about when it comes to substance abuse:

Losing friendships
When you use drugs and alcohol, the people around you are affected and friendships are often quick to suffer. As your behavior changes and you interact with different peers, you’ll find yourself losing friendships you may have had for a long time. It’s difficult for close friends to see you change the way you look and act as a result of drug and alcohol use. Friends who don’t use will pull away from you.

Bad grades or dropping out
Drugs and alcohol affect your brain. Between these effects and the social issues you’ll face as you spend more time drinking and doing drugs, your grades at school will suffer. Whether you’re finishing up high school or in college, your grades are very important. If you drop out, it will take a huge amount of effort to work your way back to where you were.

Losing financial aid or employment
Behavior related to drug use and alcohol use puts you at risk of losing your job or losing your scholarships and financial aid. If you face disciplinary action at school or work, chances are your situation will change drastically. Some of these marks on your record can stay with you throughout your life, especially if you face legal action.

Hurting your family
Your parents and other family members will struggle as you change from the effects of drinking and doing drugs. Whether you are directly combative towards them or you pull away more subtly, they will be the ones to suffer. Your actions have an impact on many people.

High costs                        
Drugs and alcohol aren’t free. When you use, you’re using a portion of your income or your parents’ income to have a good time. These costs add up quickly and can prevent you from saving any money or paying important bills.

Related Posts:
Top Techniques for Saying “NO” to Alcohol
Is Your Friend Using Drugs?

Make sure teens have a safe, drug & alcohol-free Halloween.

Parental responsibilities don’t end when your kids get too old for trick-or-treating. When your children outgrow those nights of checking candy piles for unwrapped items, safety gets even more complicated and hands-on. Learn how to help keep teens safe this Halloween.

Avoid unsupervised parties
Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol are common at unsupervised teen parties and parties thrown by college-aged kids. Help your teen find alternatives if she’s disappointed by being unable to attend parties that could involve drugs and alcohol. Let her know that when she’s older, she’ll have many opportunities to celebrate Halloween with responsible drinking, but for now it’s out of the question. Let your teen know that you’re available as a ride (no questions asked) if your teen is confronted with a drunk driver or a driver under the influence.

Talk about drugs often
Talk about drugs before Halloween and throughout the year. Chances are, your teen already knows other kids who are using drugs. According to DrugAbuse.gov, 6.6 percent of 12th graders reported using marijuana daily in 2011. If you ignore the presence of drugs and alcohol in your teen’s life, you’ll miss key opportunities to talk about the consequences of drug use and abuse.

Encourage safe activities
During Halloween, teens may be presented with opportunities to engage in dangerous behaviors. Talk to your teen about avoiding behaviors such as pranking, running around neighborhoods at night, and attending parties. Talk to your child about safety issues such as avoiding dark areas alone, as well as responsible ways to treat others. Whether your teen is sexually active or not, it’s a good time to talk about safe sex.

Related posts:
Top Techniques for Saying “NO” to Alcohol

Learn how to say no to friends who offer you alcohol.       

Chances are high that you’ll be offered alcohol during your teenage years. In fact, according to the CDC, a survey in 2009 found that 42% of high school students had consumed alcohol during the past 30 days. Kids you know are probably drinking or have tried drinking. Learn techniques for saying no to alcohol so you can avoid becoming an underage drinking statistic.

Be reasonable
You don’t need to use scare tactics or worse case scenarios to convince your friends that drinking underage is a bad idea. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying it’s just not worth it. You don’t want to get in trouble with your parents or with school. The end.

Deflect
Try coming up with an alternative to drinking. “I was actually going to go to get some ice cream,” is a valid excuse. Maybe you have a movie to get to or you have to get up really early anyway.

Talk about side effects
Studies have tied underage drinking to stunted growth and a higher risk of accidents and sexual assault. You want to reach your full potential and enjoy being a teen. There’s plenty of time to drink responsibly when you’re of legal age.

Avoid having to say no
Sometimes the best way to avoid alcohol is to avoid friends who use alcohol. If you know your friends are going to pressure you, they may not actually be your friends. It's difficult to cut people off, but you’re not the bad guy if you just want to be treated with respect.

Related Posts:
Setting an Example for Younger Siblings
Finding Healthy Alternative “Addictions” to Drugs

Keep your teens safer this summer.

During the summer, teens are often less supervised than they are during the school year. Lack of structure and a mindset around having fun can lead to bad choices. According to TheAntiDrug.com, in the summer, 38 percent more teens per day try marijuana for the first time. This summer, it’s important to keep an eye on your teen. Try this checklist to get started.

Keep your teen busy
A teen with nothing to do has more opportunities to go seeking the wrong kinds of fun. Encourage your teen to get involved in camps, volunteering and summer jobs. Make opportunities for travel available if possible.

Set ground rules
Curfews and other rules may be more relaxed during the summer, but you still need to establish firm boundaries. Discuss summer rules with your teen early and often. This should include checking in frequently. Don’t allow your teen to try alcohol during the summer or to bend other important rules your family keeps in place during the school year. Summer shouldn’t be a break from safety.

Hang out with your teen
You’re probably not free during the summer the way your teen is, but you should still involve yourself in your teen’s summer life as much as possible. Make family time and encourage your teen to interact with her siblings and family.

Talk about the difficult stuff
It may make you uncomfortable to talk about sex, drugs and alcohol with your teen, but it’s important to do so. Many teens believe that accidents, unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections only happen to others. This sense of invincibility can lead teens to engage in risky behaviors.

Related posts:
finding the Right Activities for Your Kids
Summer activities to keep teens & kids active

Learn how to get the party started without drugs or alcohol.

Summer isn’t complete without fun parties and backyard BBQs. Need a reason to skip the alcohol this summer? Consider this: The CDC reports that excessive alcohol consumption contributes to more than 4,600 deaths of underage drinkers each year. Throw a safe party this summer. Learn how to get together at home, at the beach or on the go without using drugs or alcohol to have a good time.

Let the music play
Get the party started with music, not alcohol. Create a party playlist on your MP3 player or use a fun streaming music service like Spotify or Pandora to play virtual DJ. Music can affect mood and how you feel. Use it to your advantage. Set up a karaoke station or get guests moving on the dance floor.

Set the scene
Choose a party activity that will keep guests occupied and interested. Throw a pool party, schedule some group games or set up a fun activity. Consider gathering at a bowling alley, beach or theme park.

Watch your guest list
The people you surround yourself with have an impact on your life and lifestyle. The same goes for gatherings. Avoid inviting guests who may bring drugs or alcohol to the party. If a friend has expressed issues with a dry party, consider that a red flag. You should have fun at your summer gathering. Your time shouldn’t have to be spent policing your guests. The best gatherings are those with like-minded friends.

Related posts:
Finding the Right Activities for Your Kids
Setting an Example for Younger Siblings
Finding Healthy Alternative “Addictions” to Drugs

By Brianna Dickinson

Aside from the health consequences binge drinking can bring about—excessive drinking can have some pretty unattractive effects on your appearance. Keep reading as we answer the question: How 'cool' does drinking really make you look?

Do I look fat?
Alcohol is fattening because it adds empty non-nutritional calories to your body. Toxins in alcohol contribute to the buildup of cellulite. There are around 125 calories in a medium-sized (175ml) glass of wine; 500+ in a bottle. A vodka and coke or gin and tonic is 120 calories, so imagine the cocktails, ladies!

No more beauty sleep?
Alcohol affects the normal sleep process, so as your body is trying to catch up to deal with daily stresses, the alcohol is making it harder for your body to do so. The deep sleep the body needs is when the body is restoring itself, but alcohol can interfere with this. So, instead of the usual 6-7 cycles of REM sleep, you’ll only have 1-2 and may wake up feeling–and looking–exhausted.

Can't I just wear more make-up?
At least women have the option of make-up to hide the tell-tale hangover signs, right? Only for a while! Research has shown that drinking more than government recommends promotes aging, wrinkles, swelling of the capillaries under the skin, glassy eyes, aggravated acne, a puffy face and Rosacea, a skin disorder. When you abuse alcohol, you tend to be undernourished, which can make your hair dry out, give you cracked lips, and make you feel depressed and tired. Not to mention, alcohol also affects your coordination–something make-up cannot hide.

Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists explains: “Alcohol dehydrates your body generally, including the skin, which is your body’s largest organ. This happens every time you drink. Alcohol is also thought to deprive the skin of certain vital vitamins and nutrients,” she concludes.

Even more unattractive?
Speaking of morning-after problems! It is said that drunk and hung-over people don't smell too good because five to ten percent of the alcohol leaves the body straight through your breath, sweat and urine.

Still think drinking is attractive? Think again! Although drinking can have some detrimental effects on your appearance, what it does to your health is a more concerning matter. To learn more about alcohol's affect on your health, visit this article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Brianna Dickinson is an Operation PAR intern and junior at Eckerd College majoring in International Relations Global Affairs with minors in Spanish and Sociology. Brianna is originally from Atlanta and hopes to live in a Latin America country soon through the Peace Corps.

In 2009, studies showed that 37 percent of 8th graders and 72 percent of 12th graders had tried alcohol, according to the CDC. These statistics can be very scary from the perspective of a parent. Whether your child is in middle or high school, now is the time to talk about and continue talking about the dangers of underage drinking.

Talk to your teen about statistics
Your kids are used to reading facts at school in textbooks. Talk about drinking in factual terms. Make sure that your kids understand that underage drinking, particularly underage binge drinking, contributes to serious injury and death.  For example, according to the CDC, in 2008, there were approximately 190,000 emergency rooms visits by underage drinkers. While it may be an uncomfortable topic, discuss the fact that drinking increases the risk of sexual assault. Discuss this topic regardless of your teen’s gender. Visit SAMHSA to discover talking points to share the risks of drinking with your teen.

Do not allow supervised drinking
SAMHSA reports that most underage drinkers get alcohol from a friend or family member. Some parents mistakenly believe that underage drinking is safe if kids are supervised when drinking. Regardless of parental supervision, drinking can still lead to accidents and all known risks. Supervision promotes a sense that underage drinking is safe when it’s not. Never offer your teen a drink or allow teens to drink in your home or another parent’s home. If you have older children, actively discourage them from providing alcohol to your teen. Make sure other parents are aware of your stance.

Support teens at school and at home
Teens need support to say no to underage drinking. Studies by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism show that parents have the ability to prevent underage drinking by improving parent-child relations in ways such as providing discipline, listening and communicating, monitoring kids and strengthening family bonding. School resources are also important. Encourage your teen to get involved in extra-curricular activities and meaningful relationships with friends. Be available to your teen as a resource for her emotional needs as well as a sounding board to talk about drugs and alcohol.

Related Posts:
Dangers of Drunk Driving
Five Tough Questions You Should Ask Your High schooler
Managing Stress in School