Bond of Silence


"Bond of Silence" Supports Healthy Decisions for Teens with The Partnership for a Drug-Free America

High school activities, proms and parties are exciting events in American teenagers’ lives. They're also a great opportunity for parents to set aside some Time To Talk with Teens about the risks of drugs and alcohol.

First, consider the facts:

• Wishful thinking. While nearly all parents think that their teens will abide by their rules, nearly a quarter of teens say they are likely to drink alcohol or use drugs at a school party, prom or graduation this year.

Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21, die as a result of underage drinking: 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, as well as hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns and drowning.

• Boys are more at risk. More than 1 in 4 boys say they are likely to drink or use drugs at prom or graduation parties, compared to just 17 percent of girls.

• It’s not just drinking. The same discrepancy appears when the question involves drug use: Nearly two-thirds of teens report that their peers use substances such as marijuana or acid at these parties, compared to nearly half of parents who believe this goes on.

• A dangerous fad. Abuse of prescription medications is on the radar of more than 4 out of 10 of America’s teenagers as another potential feature of end-of-year parties, compared to less than a third of parents.

• Feeling the pressure. With such an array of substances on offer, teens also report pressure to drink and do drugs at prom or graduation parties in greater numbers. Six out of 10 teens say it happens always or frequently; only 44 percent of parents agree.

• It’s a guy thing. Males on both sides of the generation gap are more prone to think such peer pressure is always or frequently apparent.

But here's what you can do to help keep your teens safe:

• Know your teens' plans and tell them to update you if the itinerary changes so you're aware of their whereabouts.

• Check in with them via text – they are more likely to reply, since it's discreet. You can send messages like "Hope ur having a gr8 time!" or "U OK?" before and after the party.

• Trust your teens and resist the urge to hover. You've filled them in on the rules and the risks – chances are they got the message.

For more information, parents can visit TimeToTalk.org, which features in-depth online resources to help parents guide their teens through tough transition times, including back to school, prom, parties and graduation, when added social and academic pressures make teens more vulnerable to trying drugs and alcohol. Time To Talk® is The Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s initiative designed to help parents and caregivers start and maintain open, honest dialogue and help them talk with their kids about the risks of drugs and alcohol.

When parents talk with their kids about drugs and alcohol, teens take their parents’ messages to heart. Teens who learn a lot about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use. It is crucial for parents to communicate the risks of alcohol and drug abuse to protect their kids and help them live healthy drug-free lives.

Provided by The Partnership for a Drug-Free America

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