New Directions For Barre

Thinking of Hosting a Graduation Party? You Should Know....                  http://healthvermont.gov/adap/prevention/guidetoparties05Sm.pdf          For a Guide to Safe & Substance Free Social Events, Parties & Gatherings click the link above.    In Vermont there are some major penalties for parents who give their children alcohol or allow them to drink. Helping Kids Drink Alcohol is Illegal Parents/Adults may not:  Give alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age Allow minors to drink alcohol on their property Adults may not give alcohol to anyone underage-not even their own children.  In Vermont if you give or sell alcohol to a minor or help them buy it, you can be fined between $500 and $2000 and sentenced up to 2 years in jail.  An adult can be charged separately for evey minor they give alcohol to.  If you give alcohol to minors who drive and hurt themselves or others, you can be charged with contributing to the deliquency of a minor, and if someone at the party were to die you may be charged with involuntary manslaughter. There could also be financial dangers.  You can be sued as a result of giving alcohol to minors and held responsible for anything that happens as a result.  Your underage child can be sued for up to 8 years following an incident, so even though they may have committed an act under the age of 18 the consequences can affect them as an adult. For more information visit parentupvt.org               Guidlines for Parents Plan the party with your teenager Establish guest list & what time the party will start & end  Discuss your expectations Plan the party around a specific theme or activity Discuss potential problems Invite another parent, couple or adult friend Discuss potential problems Set Ground Rules Absolutely no alcohol, tobacco or other drugs Leave lights on Some areas are off limits Discuss & rehearse for the unexpected & what to do

Which of These Contain Alcohol?

What are Alcopops? Alcopops (flavored malt beverages) are sweetened alcoholic beverages that resemble soda or other soft drinks. While they contain about the same amount of alcohol as beer, up to half of the alcohol is derived from distilled spirits.  Alcopops are currently misclassified as a malt beverage, so are available in grocery and convenience stores alongside other, non-alcoholic drinks. Who drinks Alcopops? ·        Mostly girls drink alcopops.  In recent years, teen girls report drinking more alcohol more often than their male peers and the American Medical Association (AMA) points to the popularity of alcopops or ‘girlie drinks’ as a significant factor behind the shift. ·        47% of alcopops are consumed by underage drinkers ·        Underage drinkers consume five and a half times more alcopops per year than adult drinkers So why is there a problem with Alcopops? ·        Parents, store clerks and other adults are also unaware of the differences between these drinks and often unwittingly, supply their teens with alcoholic drinks. Sources: www.marininstitute.org/alcopops http://alcoholpolicymd.com/press_room/Press_release/girlie_drinks_release.htm 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Thanks to the Deerfield Valley Community Partnership for putting together this information.

Alcopops_Brief.pdf  [1.95Mb] Click on link to view the Prevention Works breif on Alcopops.