"Who? What? When? Where?"

Alcohol is the #1 drug problem among Linn County youth. Before your kids head out the door, find out who they are going with, what they will be doing, where they are going, and when they will return.

Click here for free Who? What? When? Where? Notepads

Other parental monitoring tips:

1. Talk to your kids: Set clear rules and expectations about not drinking alcohol. Discuss the consequences for breaking your rules. Time to Talk Conversation Tips

2. Get to know your kid’s friends and their parents: Make sure that other parents are providing a safe environment for your kids. Share phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

3. Check it out: Find out if there will be adult supervision at your kids’ activities. Make sure you have the adult’s contact information, so you can call them if you have questions or concerns.

4. Keep in touch: Arrange times for your child to check in by phone, and make sure you can reach them at all times. Occasionally check to see if your kids are where they said they’d be.

5. Set up curfews for school nights and weekends: Be sure to check local curfew laws. Make sure kids are supervised during after-school hours, or have something positive to do like sports, lessons, clubs, or volunteer work. Local curfew laws

6. Help supervise: Volunteer to help chaperone school activities and social events. You will have an opportunity to get to know your kids’ friends.

7. Be a good role model: Consider hosting family events without alcohol. Show kids that there are other ways to have fun.

8. Connect with your kids: Be involved in your kid’s lives. Spend one-on-one time together doing things you both enjoy. Quiz Time! How Well Do You Know Your Kids?

9. Praise and reward: Take time to notice and reward good behavior. Ways to Encourage Your Child’s Efforts

10 Parental Monitoring Tips Handout

Other Important Ways Parents Can Prevent Underage Drinking:

1. Do not provide alcohol to youth: Don’t furnish alcohol to minors or allow youth to consume alcohol in your home.
Oregon Alcohol Laws and Minors

2. If you keep alcohol in your home, lock it up: Know how much alcohol you have and keep it away from kids.

What should I do if I think my child may be using alcohol or other drugs?

Signs and Symptoms of Teen Drinking or Other Drug Use

If You Suspect Your Child is Using Alcohol or Other Drugs

Linn County Alcohol & Drug Treatment Program

Resources:

Resources: Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention

What Communities Can Do to Prevent Underage Drinking

Above the Influence
Youth media campaign created for the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

The Cool Spot
Young teen’s website for information on alcohol and resisting peer pressure

Drugfree

Family Guide
Guide to keeping youth mentally healthy and drug free; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association

Linn County Alcohol & Drug Treatment Program
Alcohol, other drug, and problem gambling treatment and prevention

Linn Together
Local volunteer groups working to prevent alcohol & other drug abuse

MADD
Drunk driving prevention and victim support

Myths about Alcohol

Myths and Facts About Youth & Alcohol Use

National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

Office of National Drug Control Policy

Oregon Partnership
Statewide non-profit promoting providing drug and alcohol awareness, drug prevention programs, and 24 hour crisis lines for treatment referrals and suicide intervention

Parental Disapproval Influences Underage Drinking

Parenting Tips

Parents. The Anti-Drug
News, drug facts, advice and information – available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Filipino, Korean & Vietnamese
En Español: LaAntiDroga.com

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Features interactive tools that translate the latest science and research on teen behavior, addiction and treatment into easy to understand tips and tools

Prescription Drug Abuse Resources

Stop Alcohol Abuse

Stop Underage Drinking
Portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Human Services Administration
Family guide to keeping youth mentally healthy and drug free.

Talk Early, Talk Often, Get Others Involved

Time to Talk
Guides and tips to help you have ongoing conversations with your kids to keep them healthy and drug-free

What a Parent Can Do To Prevent Substance Abuse

Data and Statistics:

Oregon Health Teens Survey
Oregon’s effort to monitor the health and well-being of adolescents.

Prevention Articles:

Study Finds Self-Service Checkouts Allow Minors to Purchase Alcohol, CADCA, August 2009

Teen Drinking Behavior Influenced by Parent Behavior, Casa Columbia, August 2009

Community Resources

LBCC Family Connections
(Childcare information and referrals, parent education classes, parent advice line, respite care)
Phone: (541) 917-4899
Toll Free: 1-800-845-1363

Community Services Consortium
(Employment services, job training, emergency services, GED preparation, youth summer activities)
Phone: (541) 928-6335

Linn County Mental Health
(Counseling and information)
445 3rd Avenue SW, Albany, OR 97321; Phone: (541) 967-3866
1600 South Main, Lebanon, OR 97355; Phone: (541) 451-5932
799 Long Street, Sweet Home, OR 97386; Phone: (541) 367-3888
Toll Free: 1-800-304-7468
TTY-TTD (Hearing Impaired) 1-800-735-1232
Email

Linn County Health Services Clinic
(Call for hours and services available)
315 4th Avenue SW, Albany, OR 97321; Phone: (541) 967-3888
1600 S. Main, Lebanon, OR 97355; Phone: (541) 451-5932
799 Long Street, Sweet Home, OR 97386; Phone: (541) 367-3888
Toll Free: 1-800-304-7468

Oregon Tobacco Quit Line
(Information and quit coaching for adults & youth)
Phone: 877-270-STOP (7867)
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 5am-9pm
Spanish: 877-2NO-FUME (66-3863)
TTY: 877-777-6534

For information about local prevention and treatment resources, contact:

Linn County Alcohol and Drug Program
(Services for adults and adolescents)
104 SW 4th Avenue, Room 238
Albany, OR 97321
For information about prevention services, please contact Danette Killinger by email or at (541) 967-3819, toll free 1-800-304-7468.