<p>I’m shamelessly bumping this thread. I really want four things to happen.</p>
<p>First, tell your kids what to do if a friend has too much to drink. Look at the link to the wallet card posted above in post #111 for the bare minimum of what they should know. It would be even better if they knew how to do CPR. </p>
<p>Second, for those of you whose kids are touring and choosing colleges, bring up questions about amnesty and the Red Watch Band program, especially in group information programs. Reality is that–admittedly for lots of good reasons–parents ask questions about what colleges are doing to prevent binge drinking. Colleges don’t want to seem “soft” on underage drinking. Let colleges know parents WANT amnesty–that not having amnesty programs might color your family’s decision when choosing a college. </p>
<p>Third, tell your kids that you will “be there” for them if they get into trouble for calling 911when a friend gets drunk, especially if they attend a school without an amnesty program. This is ESPECIALLY important for those of you who have religious scruples against drinking because at least some of your kids will drink and they might hesitate to call 911 because they are afraid of what will happen if you find out that they have. It’s also a good thing for parents of those OVER 21 to emphasize. It is not uncommon for those over 21 to buy alcohol for their underage friends. In most cases, this is a crime. So, those over 21 who bought the booze for the party are often the ones who won’t call 911. Tell your kids you don’t want them to do this, but if they are in a situation in which they might be held liable, e.g., a frat officer or the lessee of an off-campus apartment in which underage drinking takes place, you WANT them to call 911. You will think you’ve failed as a parent if they risk a life to avoid getting in trouble. </p>
<p>Finally, jump up and down and let your kids know that it’s just plain STUPID to indulge in drinking games. A lot of the deaths from alcohol are the result of the deceased’s participation in such games.</p>