Iowa Spirits Volume 1 2018 - 33

PROM

likely to become alcohol dependent as adults,
and alcohol is a factor in approximately 4,700
childhood deaths annually. Underage drinking is
also a significant cause of violence, aggressive
behavior, bodily injury, property damage and
incarceration.
The adult statistics are no better. There are 161
impaired driving arrests in the U.S. every hour-
and a death from alcohol-related car accidents
every 51 minutes. Thirty-three percent of all driving fatalities are the result of drunk driving. If
you're not persuaded by health and safety concerns, consider the economic impact. An arrest
for Operating While Intoxicated will cost approximately $9,000 in fines and fees.

ALCOHOL AND PREGNANCY
Alcohol and pregnancy do not mix. According to
the March of Dimes, consuming any intoxicating
beverage while pregnant may impact your child's
brain development and internal organs. There is
also the risk of birth defects. Some people feel
that, for pregnant women, moderate drinking is
harmless, but the only safe choice is not to drink
at all.
The CDC reports that more than 3 million
women between 15 and 44 years of age risk
exposing their developing babies to alcohol-related harm. This occurs when they consume alcohol and are sexually active without using birth
control. The CDC found that 75 percent of
women who are trying to get pregnant do not
stop drinking. Many wait until the pregnancy is
confirmed by a doctor or pregnancy test.
However, any alcohol consumption-even during
the first few weeks-may result in Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders, which are "lasting physical,
behavioral, and intellectual disabilities that can
last for a child's lifetime."

IOWA SPIRITS

In high school, prom is a key rite of passage.
Unfortunately, many teens view underage drinking
as a part of that rite. A survey of teens, ages 16-19,
conducted by AAA, found that 41 percent planned
to use drugs and/or alcohol on the big night.
As a parent, what should you do? Researchers
Alvin Poussaint M.D. and Susan Linn Ed.D.
strongly recommend talking to your children
about the issue. Parents sometimes think that,
once their kids are teenagers, they're no longer
a major source of influence, but this couldn't be
further from the truth. Parents have more impact
on teenagers, and their decision-making, than
anyone else, including friends, teachers, coaches
and the media.
Prom is just one night, but the perils of underage drinking are always there. According to
Poussaint and Linn, the dialogue should be ongoing. Speaking to your teen for just a few minutes
can have a major impact. While some parents
tolerate or even encourage prom night drinking,
this is a mistake. They're endangering their children's health and opening themselves to criminal
and civil prosecution.
Speak to your kids about the effects of alcohol-nausea, hangovers, allergic reactions, death
from alcohol toxicity, etc.-the dangers of drunk
driving, what constitutes "a drink," and other
alcohol-related issues. Make it clear that you
won't tolerate underage drinking, but do encourage them to ask for a ride home if they, or their
ride, have been drinking. Ask your teens what
their plans are on prom night and help them
negotiate the inevitable peer pressure. Don't
permit them to attend parties where alcohol is
served and don't be scared to have a frank talk
with parents who're hosting pre- and post-prom
parties.
Another issue to discuss with your children-as
uncomfortable as it might be-is alcohol and sex.
Be open and honest about the strong relationship
between underage drinking and date rape, as
well as the use of "roofies" and other date-rape
drugs.
Prom night is also the perfect time to take a
good, hard look at your own drinking patterns.
After all, that's where kids first learn about alcohol
and, even if they're rebellious teenagers, they're
most likely to mimic the behaviors that you
model.

Iowa Spirits Volume 1 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Iowa Spirits Volume 1 2018