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PARENTS'
GUIDE TO SAFE AND LEGAL TEENAGE PARTIES
The
parent guide to substance abuse prevention entitled "Everyone's Child" is now available in PDF format.
Tips
for Parents:
- Include
your child in the planning.
- Set
the ground rules with your teen before the party. Let your teen
know what you expect. Ask your teen to inform his or her friends
about the rules before the party. Stress shared responsibility
for hosting the party.
- Check
coats and backpacks at the door.
- Be
home during the party. Agree on an area of the house where guests
will be comfortable and where you can supervise adequately.
- Allow
no alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. (In Virginia, it is illegal
for anyone under 21 to possess alcohol, for anyone under 18 to
possess tobacco, and for an adult to permit alcohol or tobacco
possession or consumption by anyone who is underage.) Criminal
charges may be brought against the parent if a violation of law
occurs.
- Immediately
call the police if you suspect or find weapons. Do not attempt
to handle the situation yourself.
- Limit
attendance by sending invitations or making personal phone calls.
Do not allow uninvited guests to crash the party. Anyone not
invited should be asked to leave. If you have a problem with
crashers refusing to leave, call the police.
- Set
time limits for the party. Drop-in parties are hard to control.
- When
a guest leaves, do not allow him or her to return. This will
discourage guests from leaving the party to drink or to use other
drugs elsewhere and then return.
- Notify
your neighbors that there will be a party.
- Invite
other parents to help chaperon.
-
Encourage
your teen to plan activities, music, videos, or games in advance
of the party. Drinking and drug use are sometimes the result
of boredom.
-
Plan
to quietly circulate among the guests. Do not isolate yourself.
-
If
you suspect that a guest has used drugs or alcohol, contact his
or her parents immediately. Request that the child's parents
pick up their child as soon as possible.
If
Your Party Starts Getting Out of Control:
- Turn
off the music.
- Announce
to the guests, "This party is getting too loud; the party will not continue unless the music
stays turned down."
- Emphasize
that you, as an adult, are responsible for their actions and
any disturbance that is caused.
- If
a guest continues unruly or inappropriate behavior, request that
he or she leave your party. (The majority of the time, the unruly
guest is intoxicated.)
- If
your guest continues the unruly behavior, contact the police
department at 703-691-2131. Be prepared to give your name, your
address, the number of people at the party, if people are intoxicated,
and if they are acting disorderly.
Tips
for Parents of Teenagers Going to a Party:
- Call
the host parents to confirm the location of the party, when it
will start and end, and that the parents will be present throughout
the party.
- Check
to make sure it is an alcohol and other drug free party.
- Volunteer
to help chaperon the party.
- Make
sure that your child knows that he or she should call you for
a ride home if alcohol or other drugs are present.
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