LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – April is Alcohol Awareness Month and this year’s theme – “Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘Rite of Passage’” – will be celebrated locally and nationally aimed at educating folks about prevention and treatment of alcoholism, especially among our youth.

This also highlights the important role parents of young adults can play in providing their kids a better understanding of the impact that alcohol (and drugs) can have on their lives and the lives of those around them.

Alcohol and drug use by young people is extremely dangerous, not only to themselves and the community at large, but is also directly associated with educational failure, violence, traffic fatalities, suicide, unsafe sex and alcohol overdose. This even applies to those individuals who may never develop dependence and/or addiction.

Adolescence is the prime time of elevated overall risk-taking and as alcohol and drugs enter the picture, parents are often faced with a very unique set of challenges.

Parents sometimes justify underage drinking or drug use as a “rite of passage.” Parents can either sit back and hope that their kids will get through it, or they can adjust their attitudes and partake in an active role to learn about alcohol and drugs and assist their kids in doing the same.

It is not always an easy task to discuss with children about the perils of drinking and drug use, but is well worth the effort parents can put into it.

Studies have shown that kids who have conversations with their parents early on and learn about the dangers of alcohol and drug use are more than 50 percent less likely to use these substances than those who did not have such discussions.

This is the opportunity when parents can reinforce the fact that imbibing alcohol is not a “rite of passage.”

When parents foster a change in attitude about alcohol and drug use in both themselves and their children will help them all to understand that drinking is not a way to be or feel independent, “cool,” or to fit in socially.

Young people can learn that alcohol and drugs are not a requirement in order to have a good time and that non-use of any substance is a viable and most importantly the healthiest option. We must learn to honor and respect another individual’s decision not to drink alcohol.

Alcohol and drug use is a very risky business for young people, and parents are the lynchpin in making a difference. The longer young people delay alcohol and drug use, the less likely they are to develop the inherent problems associated with it.

For more information, please contact Lake County Behavioral Health at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.

Todd Metcalf is the administrator of Lake County Behavioral Health.