- Thomas M.
- Friday, February 11, 2022
Talking to teens about drinking, drugs, and driving can be hard. Communicating from a place of love and trust is essential. Here are some strategies to consider, including resources from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
According to the Centers for Disease Control: “In 2016, 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.” In 2018, South Carolina’s death rate for alcohol-impaired driving was higher than the national average regardless of age or gender category. We can do better!
Communication from family is extremely important to make sure young people are educated on the issue of driving under the influence. Here are some strategies to help talk to a young person in your life about how to avoid drinking, drugs, and driving.
How to talk with your teen
The last thing anyone wants to hear, especially a teenager listening to a parent or guardian, is a concrete list of things not to do. Wrapping your messages in love and respect ensure they carry a lot more weight in the teenage mind. Consider the following examples:
“If I ever smell beer on your breath, I’m grounding you for a year!” Maybe your teen responds to tough talk, and that’s fine. However, this message is also a dare not to get caught.
“Some people your age are drinking and smoking, but they are harming their brains and lungs in the long term in exchange for a little enjoyment now. You have a bright future ahead of you, and I don’t want you to give that up. What will you do if someone hands you something to try in front of your friends?” You don’t have to use these exact words, but notice how they center your care and concern for the teen’s future. It ends with an open question for the teen to respond. A sign of your caring goes a long way against any kind of peer pressure.
Talking points for teens to use when faced with peer pressure
“No thanks.” Responding can be this simple. It can also lead to standing out and receiving even greater pressure. Having one or more friends who don’t drink/smoke can help the teen feel supported in this decision.
If that doesn’t work, follow up with “It’s just not for me. Let it go,” followed by changing the subject or suggesting something else to do. After that, one has to wonder if the person offering drinks/smokes is a friend at all.
This is about the boundaries teens have with their friends, and whether they understand consent. Ask your teen, “Would a friend try to make you do something you don’t want to do?” Your teen should not feel guilty over acting in the interest of their health and safety. Anyone pressuring them is the problem.
Making a habit of getting drunk/high in youth can lead to a habit of driving under the influence as a young adult, which could hurt or kill not only them but anyone else on or near the road. If there is a young person in your life, you have a powerful opportunity to convince them away from becoming one more dangerous driver. That goes double for not getting in a car with someone under the influence!
Further Reading and Resources
Power of Parents: Making Good Choices
Impaired Driving: Get The Facts
Sobering Facts: Alcohol-impaired Driving SC
Whether you’re concerned about a neighbor driving drunk, need strategies for talking about not drinking with a teen, or simply someone seeking to make your community safer, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) wants to help.
To be put in touch with a MADD Victim Advocate in your area or if you need to speak with someone immediately, call MADD's Victim/Survivor Helpline at 1-877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435).