Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

by Joy Spencer Remember your prom experience? How about when you graduated from high school? While some things have changed, other pressures are exactly the same.  Prom and graduation should be celebrated as alcohol and substance-free events. Unfortunately, s tatistics show that one third of the alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving teens each year occur during April, May, and June -- prom-graduation season.  Parents can play a vital role in helping teens make good decisions about alcohol - which is great news. Research shows that regular communication between parents and their kids has a positive influence on the decisions that teens make. What else can parents do? Discuss rules for the celebrating: your own rules, the school rules, and the consequences for violating the rules. Ask your teen for a complete itinerary for the evening, including where they'll be going before, during and after prom. If you have graduates, make sure you know where an...

by Joy Spencer Alcohol Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about alcohol abuse and encourage people to make healthy, safe choices. During this month, take some time to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of alcohol abuse. Each year, alcohol abuse in Oregon leads to 1,400 alcohol-related deaths, 5,100 violent crimes, and 41,000 offenses related to driving under the influence. What are some things that you can do this month?   Check in with yourself about your drinking habits. Do you enjoy a drink now and then? Many of us do, often when socializing with friends and family. Drinking can be beneficial or harmful, depending on your age and health status, and, of course, how much you drink. What's Your Drinking Pattern Quiz   If you are concerned about  your alcohol use, or a loved one's abuse problems, here is a website of resources from Oregon 's Department of Human Services that can help you: http://www.oreg...