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Communities Talk What’s New articles share information to help event organizers plan, host, and evaluate events aimed at mobilizing a community around evidence-based prevention of underage drinking.

Parents, Teachers: Play It Safe During Spring Break. Talk About Underage Drinking Before the Party Starts

03/23/2017

For many high school and college students, a spring break provides a week of relief and relaxation from busy class schedules. However, it can also be a period of partying, often without adult supervision. Students attending beach weeks and taking trips to popular spring break destinations are faced with many situations that can involve risky behavior and underage drinking.

Events like spring break and prom are major milestones for high school and college-age students. Spring break especially can be associated with underage and harmful drinking and an increased risk of the associated negative consequences. Drinking rates among college students are high around this time of year: One scientific study found that over 40% of college students reported getting drunk on at least one day of spring break, and over 10% drank to the point of passing out at least once during their vacation.

So, what can you do to minimize the potential for risky drinking and prevent underage drinking?

Learn the facts about college drinking and underage drinking.
Start talking with your high school or college student early and often (and learn how to address common questions and concerns during this conversation).
Learn about other organizations that have addressed spring break and underage drinking, such as Virginia Beach’s Youth and Community Action Team and the University of California-Santa Barbara.
Use digital storytelling techniques to discuss harmful situations that may arise during spring break or prom. Digital storytelling uses first-person narratives that incorporate video, images, music, narration, and text. For an example, read about what Lake County Build a Generation in Colorado did at its underage drinking Communities Talk event.

You can also encourage your student’s high school or college to host a Communities Talk: Town Hall Meetings to Prevent Underage Drinking event in 2017 to talk about this important issue. While the next round of SAMHSA planning stipends will be available in 2018, SAMHSA still encourages communities to register and host an event. Your event will be registered on the Town Hall Meetings section of StopAlcoholAbuse.gov.