December is Impaired Driving Prevention Month

Posted on by Ardsley SAYF Coalition

December is Impaired Driving Prevention Month, with this in mind we would like to ask you to please drive responsibly this holiday season and don’t drive under the influence. We would also like to thank our local merchants who partnered last week with our SAYF Coalition’s  Youth Leadership committee members and the Ardsley High School and Middle School SADD (Student Against Destructive Decisions) Club members to help promote this message to the community. As you were shopping at our local Pizzeria’s; Liquor Stores and Bagel Shops I hope you saw our prevention message.

We were very fortunate to have High School and Middle School students volunteer their time to either decorate paper bags with prevention messages or put prevention labels on bags and pizza boxes. These students are committed to making healthy choices for themselves and to stay drug and alcohol free. I hope you will join us in saying thank you to these teens for their time and to congratulate them on their healthy choices.

This time of year also comes with lots of celebrations and parties. With this in mind the SAYF Coalition would like to leave you with some helpful reminders pertaining to teen parties and underage drinking. It is very important as parents that we keep an open line of communication with our children, let them know you care and are there for them. Remind your children of your family values and rules as they will be attending holiday parties without you.

Some Reminders for this Holiday Season:

  • It’s okay to call your child’s friends parents to ask if they will be home to chaperone a party, or if there will be alcohol served at the party.
  • Remind your teen, underage drinking is illegal and dangerous.
  • Let your teen know, many teens choose not to drink, as a matter of fact on a typical weekend, the vast majority of teens are not drinking alcohol.
  • Remind your teen of your rules and values pertaining to underage drinking, let them know there will be consequences for breaking these rules.
  • Let your teen know that they can call you anytime for a ride or assistance.
  • Give your teen this tip, if you are offered a drink at a party be firm and say “no thank you” you don’t want to say something like maybe later because that implies you are open to the idea of underage drinking.
  • Saying no to alcohol would be easier if your friends share your values when it comes to underage drinking, so try to find friends who think like you.
  • Never ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking.
  • Tell your child if they are at a party and there is alcohol or if they are uncomfortable with what is happening they should leave the party, and if they need a ride home call you.
  • Remind your teen of the 911 Good Samaritan law. Click the link here to read the law.

We hope that you and your family have a safe, healthy and happy new year! See you in 2013.

The Ardsley SAYF Coalition

 

 

 

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The Ardsley SAYF Coalition consists of community members dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Ardsley's youth. Our vision is to create a community where our youth have the tools and the confidence needed to make healthy substance-free decisions for themselves. The Ardsley SAYF Coalition is a member of CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America).