Parents Have The Most Influence on Whether or Not Their Child Will Drink
New Campaign Helps Parents Start a Conversation
For Immediate Release: March 12, 2010
Media Contact: Communication Office Vermont Department of Health 802-863-7281 BURLINGTON – The Vermont Department of Health and a network of 29 community coalitions are embarking on a coordinated statewide effort to combat underage drinking with today’s launch of the ParentUp campaign. The first phase of the campaign is designed for parents of Vermont middle school students ages 11 to 13, with a second phase for parents of older teens beginning in April. While the rate of youth
alcohol use has declined significantly in the last decade, 36 percent
of Vermont students still report they drank alcohol at least once in
the last 30 days. Approximately one out of five middle school students
try alcohol before the age of 13.
“The primary goal of this
first phase of the campaign is to encourage parents of middle school
students to talk to their children about drinking, and to provide
parents with information about community resources available to support
them,” said Barbara Cimaglio, deputy commissioner, Division of Alcohol
& Drug Abuse Programs. “But it is every bit as important that we
get parents talking to each other and help to create an environment
that supports and perpetuates that dialogue.”
Parents can play a
significant role in changing the statistics on underage drinking.
Studies show that parents have the most influence on whether or not
their child will drink. This campaign is designed for parents of middle
school children because younger students are much more likely to talk
to parents about problems they are having with alcohol. According to
the 2009 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 32 percent of 8th graders
and 29 percent of 9th graders would talk to a parent, compared to 22
percent of 10th, 11th, or 12th graders.
The ParentUpVT.org website
and other campaign materials illustrate simple, proven steps parents
can take with their children to help reduce underage drinking. The
second phase, launching in mid-April, will encourage parents of high
school students to refuse to give alcohol to minors or host underage
drinking parties, and is intended to increase awareness about community
resources and support. “We want to be sure that parents feel ready and
able to have these important conversations at the time when they are
needed most,” said Cimaglio.
Each community has its own
unique makeup and circumstances. The campaign is designed to support
community coalitions with appropriate tools to create the right
localized approach with ParentUpVT.org acting as a clearinghouse for
information and resources. This grassroots campaign is supported by
radio, print and online advertising throughout March and April.
For more information on about the ParentUp campaign go to ParentUpVT.org or http://healthvermont.gov or dial 2-1-1. You can follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/healthvermont
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Chief Douglas A. Robinson
Norwich Police Department
P.O. Box 311 // 10 Hazen Street
Norwich, Vermont 05055
1-802-649-1460 Phone
1-802-649-1775 Fax
Nancy D. Kramer
Assistant to the Town Manager
Town of Norwich
(802) 649-1419 Ext. 101
Fax: (802) 649-0123
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