According to a recent survey, 39% of high school students admitted to drinking alcohol within the last thirty days.

Parents can’t afford to ignore such staggering statistics. So how can we prevent our teens from experimenting with booze?

First, start a candid, ongoing conversation about drinking. Ask your teen to help you understand what motivates someone to grab a bottle in the first place.

Then, communicate your beliefs on the subject and set concrete boundaries. Your teen needs to know the consequences well before he’s ever tempted.

You may think that your son or daughter would never drink. But we’re past the point of passive assumptions. It’s time for parents to be proactive, and help their teens say “no” to alcohol.

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