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Graduation Time
June 2008
Graduating from high school is a milestone in one's life and
signifies a major step toward the privileges and responsibilities of
adulthood. All of us at the Novi Police Department and throughout
City government realize this is a joyous time and want it to be the
happiest occasion possible. Too often, however, one bad
decision results in a tragedy for not only one young person, but
their family, friends, and an entire community.
It is unfortunate that
some of our youth under the age of 21 are making the unsafe and
illegal decision to drink. Aided and abetted by the very
adults charged with their safety, teens too often confuse
celebration with intoxication, leaving them at risk for serious
consequences associated with consuming alcohol. It is important
that parents and young people understand the ramifications and
deadly consequences which can result from underage alcohol drinking.
The Novi Police Department strongly discourages this unlawful
activity and will remain proactive in the illegal use of alcohol by
our young people.
Research conducted for The Century Council by Teenage Research
Unlimited (TRU) reveals 65 percent of individuals between the ages
of 10 and 18 who had consumed alcohol in the past year report
obtaining alcohol from family and friends. A separate survey
conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide revealed a majority of parents (53%)
also believe family and friends are the leading source of alcohol
for children between the ages of 10 and 18.
At the same time as both parents and kids identify family and
friends as the primary source of beverage alcohol, research also
shows that parents are the most important influence in a child’s
decision whether or not to drink beverage alcohol. Still, a
plethora of house parties reveal a commonly held view among adults
that allowing teens to drink in private homes will keep them safe.
Individuals under the age of 21 report their heaviest drinking at
large parties with peers in someone else’s residence where most of
the attendees are underage. In some cases, these parties are held
without the parent’s knowledge. However, many parents have a high
tolerance for teen parties, allowing them to occur on their property
often without any supervision. Not only are these parents
enabling people under the age of 21 to violate the law, but they are
also violating the law themselves.
The Novi Police Department takes pride in its' proactive
partnerships with several community organizations, including the
schools, municipal court, and local health care organizations, and
has long been a proponent of the public awareness campaign
"Parents Who Host Lose the Most – Don’t Be a Party to Teenage
Drinking." We urge you to join us in strongly supporting
zero tolerance for underage drinking and illegal drug use.
Here’s what you can do:
- Keep an open line of communication with your teen, but be firm
in the "no alcohol use before age 21" message you give your
student.
- Never host or provide alcohol to anyone under 21. It’s
illegal, unsafe, unhealthy and it can have deadly results.
- Don’t allow your student to host or attend a party that is
unsupervised by adults. Call the adult in charge of any party your
teen attends. Make sure you are in agreement about what the adult
supervision will be.
- As an adult role model if you drink, consider making low-risk
drinking choices, only 1 drink per hour and no more than 3 drinks
per occasion. Never drink and drive. Your actions speak louder
than words.
- Talk to your teen about how to say no to risky situations
involving alcohol or drugs and still save face with their friends.
Report underage drinking to your local law enforcement.
- Tell your teen that they can call you at any time they are in
a risky situation. No questions asked.
- Team up and talk with other parents.
- Provide opportunities for your student to host safe,
alcohol-free parties and activities.
- If you suspect your student has an alcohol or drug problem,
seek help. Contact your school counseling office or your local
Youth Assistance Office.
- Remember to let your student know you love them.
- Help your child feel good about him/her self and develop
strong values. Tell them you place high value on their special
qualities and that drugs and alcohol will destroy those qualities.
Discuss core values such as honesty and responsibility.
The best way to honor teens at graduation is to help them safely
celebrate their achievement. Hosting alcohol-free parties, clearly
communicating expectations for personal behavior, and enforcing
consequences for violating the rules are just a few good ways to
start.
The graduates have done their work. Now it is time to do ours.
As parents and responsible community members, lets work together to
ensure this is one of the happiest memories of your child’s life and
not a memory which could easily end with tragic results.
If I or any member of the Novi Police Department can ever assist
you, please do not hesitate to contact me at 248-347-0504 or
via email.
David E. Molloy
Chief of Police
Novi Police Department
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