The Town of Glastonbury, like many other communities in Connecticut, struggle to deal with the problem of underage drinking. Alcohol has been the number one substance abused by the youth of our community. We all have seen the tragic results of teenage alcohol use in the news. Youth involved in motor vehicle accidents, youth who suffer from alcohol poisoning, and many other dangerous and criminal acts that occur when our young people abuse alcohol. This page is designed to give parents some quick facts about alcohol abuse, the resources available, and tools they can use to increase communication with their children.
Common Signs of Alcohol Use:
w Increase in accidents
w Tardiness or absent from school
w Drop in grades
w Withdraw from family or activities
w Change in appearance: physical, clothing
w Smell of alcohol or drugs
w People who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependency than those who wait until the age of 21
w According to the 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse persons aged 18-25 had the highest rates of alcohol dependence or abuse
Alcohol Poisoning:
w Drinking too much too quickly: teens are especially susceptible to alcohol poisoning, their organs have not fully developed and are unable to process large amounts of alcohol
w Adolescents routinely play variations of drinking or chugging games, leading to rapid alcohol consumption and absorption. Acute alcohol poisoning can result in death!
w Alcohol is a drug. Overdoses of alcohol will result in a build up of toxins. Excess toxins may cause vomiting. An unresponsive person who vomits is in danger of asphyxiation, choking to death on their own vomit
w Passing out is not alcohol poisoning. If the person vomits in their sleep or is unresponsive, this could be alcohol poisoning!
If you suspect alcohol poisoning in someone, turn that person on his/her side and call 911 immediately !
CT Laws Relating to Minors and Alcohol:
w Alcohol in Motor Vehicle: If alcohol is found in a vehicle operated by an underage person, will have to appear at a hearing to show why their operator’s license shouldn’t be revoked
w Driving Under the Influence for a Minor (under 21): Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Level: .02
Glastonbury Town Ordinances:
Hosting Underage Drinking Party: Events on both public and private property. No person shall host an event where alcohol is dispensed or consumed by minors.
Possession of Alcohol by a Minor: No underage person shall be in possession of containers of alcohol, whether open or closed.
Sale or Delivery of Alcohol to a Minor: No person shall sell or deliver alcohol to an underage person.
THE GLAD PARTY LINE PLEDGE
Sponsored by The Glastonbury Alcohol and Drug Council
P.O. Box 1167, Glastonbury, CT. 06033 GLAD INFO-LINE (860) 652-7674
What is the Party Line?
Sparked by the tragic death of two teenagers at an unsupervised house party here in Glastonbury in July 1998, The Party Line was created by GLAD to encourage communication between parents, and to help them to make better decisions regarding the issue of teen gatherings and parties. Based on a national campaign known as Safe Homes, the Party Line encourages parents to adhere to the attached pledge.
If communication between parents is not the norm before entering the high school years, it is not likely to happen then. It is for this reason that we are asking all parents of children in grades 6-12 to sign the pledge. Please remember that the same principles should apply to any after school gathering, study group, sleep over etc. Since there are so many homes where both parents work, the after school hours are an especially high risk time for unsupervised youth, and parents should be aware of the risks when more than one child gathers in a household without supervision.
Why Sign The Pledge?
Alcohol use is not a simple “right of passage” for young people. The results of underage drinking are devastating and frequently lethal.
Recent survey results * indicate:
· 49% of 11-12 graders report drinking in the past 30 days.
· 55% of 11-12th graders who admitted to drinking reported doing so at the home of other people.
· 56% of 11-12th graders who admitted drinking within the past 30 days reported obtaining alcohol at home without their parent’s permission.
· 7th graders who admitted to using tobacco and or alcohol reported first use at age 11.
*Source: University of Connecticut Glastonbury Substance Abuse Prevention Student Survey. 4/03
Broad parental support of this effort will insure a positive and consistent message for all youth in Glastonbury… That “underage drinking and or drug use are dangerous and unacceptable behaviors!”
Local Ordinance
Realizing that the local police were unable to take legal action against minors in possession of alcohol on private property, GLAD encouraged the TOWN COUNCIL to issue a Town Ordinance prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 to be in possession of alcohol within the Town of Glastonbury. This ordinance also prohibits the adult or youth host of a party to provide and or allow the consumption of alcohol by minors on public or private property. Violators of the law may pay a fine up to $100. Please use caution when choosing to leave teenagers “ home alone”. Local police suggest calling the Youth Unit in advance, if you have concerns that your child may host a party in your absence. Letting you teen know, that the police know, should serve as a deterrent!
When your Teen Hosts A Party…
· Set ground rules ahead of time Let your teen know what you expect of him or her as a host.
· Expect and encourage calls from other parents confirming the “party plan”.
· Inform all guests that there will be NO alcohol or illegal drugs permitted in your home or on your property.
· Provide adequate adult supervision during the entire party. Be visible.
· Limit number of guests and set appropriate ending time.
· Know who is invited and enforce a NO Crashing policy.
· Inform all guests that leaving and then returning to the party will not be permitted. Have only one entrance/exit in use.
· Notify parents or police when teens arrive at the party under the influence of alcohol and or drugs.
When Your Teen Goes To A Party…
· Set ground rules ahead of time and be consistent.
· Call the parent host, to insure details regarding the party.
· Expect your teen to stay at the party. If they choose to leave, have them contact you.
· Know how your teen will get to and from the party. Be available to provide transportation if needed.
· Set a curfew.
· Insist that your teen NEVER ride with a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
· Be awake or be sure to have your teen awaken you when he/she arrives home. Kiss goodnight…
Resources For Help
Glastonbury has many resources for information and assistance with drug and alcohol issues:
GLAD Info-Line 652-7674
Glastonbury Police Dept. Youth Unit 652-4280
Prevention Coordinator-Glastonbury Health Dept. 652-7531
Youth and Family Services 652-7661
PLEASE add your name to the list of other concerned parents by signing the attached pledge, and committing to the prescribed guidelines to insure the health and safety of all our teens. After signing the pledge your child’s name will be included in each annual edition of the Party Line Directory until the year of graduation.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
To print: click the image below. It will open in its own browser window. At the top of the browser window, click file. Scroll down and select Print. Select the printer you want to print to. Click the Preferences button. In the Orientation pane, select Landscape. Click OK and click print.
Links:
Link to Governor’s Prevention Partnership:
Link to Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free:
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction:
Alcohol Abuse Information and Statistics
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