Other ways to prevent underage drinking

In addition to talking to your teen:

• Support your teen. Having a trusting relationship can help prevent your teen from experimenting with alcohol. Spend time together and make it easy for your teen to talk to you.
• Know your teen's activities. Pay attention to your teen's plans and whereabouts. Encourage participation in supervised after-school and weekend activities.
• Establish rules and consequences. Rules might include leaving parties where alcohol is served and not riding in a car with a driver who's been drinking. Agree on the consequences of breaking the rules ahead of time — and enforce them.
• Set an example. If you drink, do so only in moderation and explain to your teen why it's OK for adults to drink responsibly. Describe the rules you follow, such as not drinking and driving. Don't serve alcohol to anyone who's underage.
• Encourage healthy friendships. If your teen's friends drink, your teen is more likely to drink, too. Get to know your teen's friends and their parents. Work with other parents to monitor what your kids are doing and keep them safe.