KIDS WILL BE KIDS AND PARENTS NEED TO BE PARENTS, NOT FRIENDS WHEN IT COMES TO ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA

Over the past 30 years I have represented 100s of high school and college age kids for offenses ranging from underage drinking, possession of marijuana to DUI/DWIs and worse.  During my representation I have gotten to know the kids and in many instances, their parents.  Most of the kids are good kids who made a mistake and most of the parents are involved, caring parents.  What I have learned from my years defending these matters and from my years prosecuting them is that we, as a society, tend to minimize these illegal and dangerous activities. Am I a hypocrite? My high school and college friends would probably say yes. I am okay with that. The facts are the facts and what they show is that the earlier a child begins to drink alcohol, the greater the problems he or she will face in adulthood, not only with substance abuse but with meeting important life goals such as education and careers. Oh and did I mention it is illegal?
Parents are the single most important influence on their children’s decision to drink alcohol or smoke marijuana. It is very simple. Parents who express positive attitudes towards drinking and smoking are more likely to have kids that drink before they are legal and to smoke marijuana.  Children whose parents warn them of the dangers of alcohol and drugs are less like to start drinking underage.  Here are some suggestions for parents.

• Talk to you kids about the dangers of drinking and smoking.
• Make sure they understand to drink responsibly if they are going to drink
• DO NOT MAKE ALCOHOL AVAILABLE
• Get to know their friends
• Supervise all parties to make sure there is no alcohol. 
• IT IS OKAY TO NOT BE THE “COOL” PARENT-YOUR KIDS WILL APPRECIATE IT WHEN THEY ARE ALIVE AND OLDER.