Movie ratings can affect your child's choice to drink!

By Chrissie Dziembowski


Recently I was facilitating a prevention program in schools and did an ice-breaker activity to warm up the class. I asked everyone to tell me their name and favorite movie. In this class of 20, four students responded The Hangover--the movie that follows four men on a bachelor party trip to Las Vegas and all their drinking and drug-induced antics--and I must admit I was a bit surprised....

This was a middle school class with students in 7th and 8th grade!


Remembering that experience, I had to share this news about a study from Dartmouth Medical School that found children who watch R-rated movies are more likely to start drinking early on. This is an important factor to consider since children who drink alcohol before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to abuse alcohol or become addicted/dependent later in life (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). To read more about the Dartmouth study findings click HERE!

Let teens drink? Parents wrestle with the question

By Chrissie Dziembowski

Parental attitudes towards underage drinking is an important and influential factor in the likelihood of a child's/teen's choice to drink. CNN recently published an article about parents attitudes towards underage drinking. They interviewed a few parents, some who do not completely disapprove of underage drinking, and others who have suffered tragedy because of underage drinking. To read the complete story on CNN's website click HERE!

Although at times it may seem like your kids could care less about what you say, think, or feel, deep down they do! Your opinions and attitudes DO influence your child's choices, so it is essential to be clear on your stance regarding alcohol and drug use... as well as clothes, curfew, etc.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has a great website called The Power of Parents that provides tip to help parents talk to their kids about underage drinking (it is referenced in the CNN article above). The site has specific pages for parents with children in elementary, middle, and high school, and college, though the high school section is most complete. Talk to your kids today--you really can make a difference!

Apolo Ohno--Newest Champion Against Underage Drinking!

By Chrissie Dziembowski

Gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno, with other Olympians and professional athletes, are the newest champions to prevent/reduce underage drinking as part of the Ask, Listen, Learn Team! He was actually in Philly at La Salle Academy speaking about the cause just last week! Check out Apolo's interview on FOX 29 where he talks more about this initiative: