What Adults Can Do to Prevent Underage Drinking
Virginia Johnson
Substance Use Prevention Senior Director
Poe Center for Health Education
Underage drinking costs North Carolina an estimated $1.5 billion annually in medical care, lost productivity, and related consequences. One person dies each week in North Carolina as a result of underage drinking. Two out of three youth report that alcohol is easy to access from their home or the home of a friend or relative.
A human brain is not fully developed until a person is in their 20s, and while the brain is still developing—especially in the teenage years—it is more susceptible to the negative effects of alcohol, including addiction. Nine out of ten adults with alcohol addiction began drinking before the age of 18.
Starting Conversations and Setting Expectations: The Role Adults Play
Adults play a critical role in shaping the habits and choices of children. Research shows that talking to youth about underage drinking, clearly expressing disapproval, and taking steps to prevent access are strong predictors of whether a young person will choose to drink before age 21. Adults can reduce youth access to alcohol and strengthen their future by securing and monitoring alcohol in the home.
Talking to your child about underage drinking isn’t always easy, but it is one of the most powerful ways to protect their health and safety. Your words matter. When students are asked who their biggest influence is, the majority say their parents. They are listening, even when it seems like they are not.
Your expectations matter. Youth thrive when they know exactly where the adults in their lives stand. Let them know you do not approve of underage drinking, and explain why. Creating a family contract that outlines expectations and consequences is an effective way to establish clear boundaries. A contract also helps families agree on, and consistently follow through with, these expectations.
Ask, Then Listen
Your relationship with your child matters. It is important to talk early and talk often. This is not just about a single conversation where you list risks and sign a contract. It is also about ongoing dialogue and the small, meaningful “nuggets” shared along the way.
You don’t need a formal speech. Everyday moments such as driving in the car, watching a show, or cooking dinner can be natural opportunities to check in.
Ask open-ended questions, such as:
-
- “What have you heard about alcohol?”
- “What would you do if someone at school offered you a drink?”
- “Do you ever feel pressure to use alcohol?”
Then, listen without judgment.
As adults who are surrounded by young people and serve as role models, it is also important to model responsible behavior and to monitor and secure alcohol in the home. The home is the number one place youth access alcohol. Store alcohol in safe places that are not visible or accessible to youth.
Monitor by taking inventory and regularly checking any alcohol in the home; and secure by locking up the area where you keep your alcohol.
Talk It Up, Lock It Up!™
Through Talk It Up. Lock It Up!™, the Poe Center partners with community organizations to provide parents and caregivers with conversation tips, educational tools, and practical items, such as locks for liquor cabinets, coolers, beer fridges, and even individual bottles, to help secure alcohol in the home.
Take the pledge to Talk It Up. Lock It Up!™ and encourage others to take the pledge and start the conversations with your child today.
Want to do more? Spread the word. Share the following videos from Talk, They Hear You with examples of conversation starters on your social media.
Sources
- Alcohol & The Adolescent Brain: Immediate Impairment, Long-Term Consequences. (n.d.). Alcohol & The Adolescent Brain: Immediate Impairment, Long-Term Consequences
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 1991-2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data.
- NC Preventing Underage Drinking Initiative – North Carolina Preventing Underage Drinking Initiative (NCPUDi). (2016). Ncpudi.org.
- SAMHSA. (2024). Talk. They Hear You: Underage Drinking Awareness Campaign. Samhsa.gov. Talk. They Hear You: Underage Drinking Awareness Campaign.
- (2022). Talk It Up. Lock It Up. Talk It Up. Lock It Up.
Featured Program:
Our #YouthCulture program series is designed to empower parents and guardians by providing insight into the environment and culture around youth. This 6-part workshop series explores how the developing adolescent brain shapes perceptions and behavior.
Session Topics: Adolescent Brain Development and Addiction, Adolescent Brain Development and the Role of Social Media, E-Cigarettes 101, Healthy Teen Relationships, and Opioids 101.
Program Participants: Adults
Program Length Online: 75 minutes | Program Length In-Person: 2 hours
Featured Activity:
The goal of the Talk It Up. Lock It Up!™ campaign is to encourage parents and adults in the community to secure and monitor alcohol in their homes. Led by youth, communities across North Carolina have had thousands of pledges signed by parents and adults who agreed to lock up the alcohol in their homes.