Speak Up Parents: Your Teens Want to Talk!
“Most of Us [2 out of 3] want adults to talk with us about the dangers of using alcohol!”
*source: Youth First Most of Us Survey of 4,785 high school students in SW Indiana
Local teens are calling out their parents through a survey of high school students in Gibson, Posey, and Warrick counties. WhileMOST – 2 out of 3 –want their parents to talk to them about the dangers of alcohol,MOST – 2 out of 3 –say their parents seldom do.
Youth First, Inc. is encouraging parents to speak up through the Most of Us® initiative, a research-proven approach to reducing and preventing underage drinking and other unhealthy behaviors.
“Multiple national studies show parents are the single most important factor in a child’s choice to not drink. However, two thirds of our region’s teens say their parents have not talked to them about alcohol in over a year,” said Parri O. Black, President & CEO of Youth First, Inc. “Clearly, many parents are missing out on a great opportunity to positively influence their children.”
Working with the Southwest Indiana Schools and Community Collaborative (SISCC), Youth First surveyed 4,785 youth in Gibson, Posey, and Warrick counties about alcohol issues. The survey’s results are then shared through the Most of Us® campaign funded by the collaborative’s Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SSHS) federal grant.
“The first wave of the campaign focused on students, but now we want to involve parents and the entire community to help prevent underage drinking,” said Cynthia Smith, Project Director of the SSHS grant. “We’re asking businesses and civic organizations in Gibson, Posey and Warrick counties to display Most of Us posters and help us engage the community in the Most of Us conversation.”
The new Most of Us messages are designed to motivate parents and other adults to talk with children early and often about the dangers of alcohol use. By starting and steering the conversation at an early age, they can have a positive influence on the decisions a young person makes later in life.
Parents can find helpful tips for talking to teens about alcohol and other drugs at Youth First’s website: www.youthfirstinc.org.
Throughout the school year, students are also receiving Most of Us messages through posters, games, t-shirts, wristbands and other marketing materials aimed at changing misperceptions and promoting positive norms. Research shows positive messages like Most of Us usually have a greater impact than negative messages and scare tactics.
“Through Youth First’s Most of Us project, students realize they don’t have to drink to fit in. In fact, for most of our students, drinking is not the norm,” said Steve Riordan, Principal, of Mt. Vernon High School. “By focusing on their futures and remaining drugfree, they have plenty of fun and make the most of high school.”
The Most of Us® survey found 7 out of 10 high school students in Gibson, Posey, and Warrick counties never or rarely drink alcohol. Rarely is defined as two or fewer drinks in a year.
To display a poster, request a presentation, or learn more, contact Denise Schultz at Youth First: 812-421-8336, ext. 8 or dschultz@youthfirstinc.org.
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