Family Service Madison

PICADA

AODA PREVENTION

NEWSLETTER

MAY 2018

APRIL/MAY: PROM AND GRADUATION CEREMONIES

(Based on an article from the WI Bar Assoc.)

Spring in Wisconsin: Ice disappears, robins

return from hiatus, and the crack of the bat

resonates at Milwaukee’s Miller Park.

Another iconic springtime tradition is high

school prom, when many of the more than

60,000 high school students will don formal

attire to celebrate and reminisce.

In the ensuing weeks, high school students

will also attend graduation parties. Usually

these festive events are unforgettable as the

optimistic denouement of high school and

exciting harbinger of future potential. Yet the

normally idyllic gatherings can also be

unforgettable for a far more somber reason: the

tragic consequences of underage drinking, most

notably fatal crashes and violent crimes.

The approach of prom and graduation

celebrations, and the possibility of tragedy

anytime there is underage drinking, warrants

passing on this warning: adults it is against the

law to host prom or graduation festivities where

you are providing alcohol to children that are

not your own. And there should never be a

“carefree” view of the prevalence of underage

drinking, underage persons’ ease of access to

alcohol, and some adults’ acceptance of youth

drinking under the guise of nostalgia and

tradition.

Knowledge of, and adherence to, the laws

attendant to underage drinking can help ensure

that for those students attending celebrations, the events can be some of the best of their life and not the last of

their life.

Based on an Article by Cheryl Gill, Criminal Defense Lawyer, La

Crosse WI. For more information on underage drinking laws in

Wisconsin

It’s prom season, and soon it will be graduation season as well—a

time of celebration and milestones where adolescence and adulthood

converge.

With the

merriment,

however,

comes the

temptation to

include adult beverages. And parents often fall victim to

the bait, just like the teens they are obliged to protect.

Wisconsin families are at particular risk. Our state boasts

the highest rate of underage drinking in the nation, with

roughly half of all high school students having consumed

alcohol and a third having

gone on at least one binge.

And in Wisconsin, the most common violation of the law is underage drinking.

To keep your kids—and yourself—safe from legal consequences, not to mention

the hassle and heartache of much worse things that can happen when minors

consume alcohol, here are some important tips for parents and kids.

Know the rules. In Wisconsin, parents may provide alcohol to their own

children but no other minors. That means if you’re hosting a party where

alcohol is served to kids other than your own, you are violating the law. Even

if you didn’t provide the alcohol, if you don’t take steps to stop it, you’re still

liable.

Understand the penalties. Penalties in Wisconsin for providing alcohol to

minors begin at $500 for first offenses and can reach as high as $10,000, a

nine-month jail term and suspension of your license. Far worse, should a

child be injured or killed as a result of drinking at your party, you could carry

the emotional consequences for the rest of your life.

Avoid “open parties.” Have a guest list and stick to it. Don’t allow your child

to send invitations via email,

Facebook or another means

where it can be

disseminated to a large

group of people. If you do

invite a large number of

guests, welcome other

parents to help chaperone.

Don’t allow return

guests. If guests leave the party, don’t allow them to

return. They may have left to get alcohol.

Remove alcohol from the location. You may have a

fine wine collection or beer in the fridge for yourself, but

before party time, lock it up or remove it from the

premises altogether.

Parents—Talk With Your High School

Grads About Celebrating Graduation

Safely

Graduation is a time to celebrate. But before

your high school seniors begin their parties,

take the time to talk with them about keeping

events alcohol-free—it just may save a life.

It's About Your Teen...

A teenager’s brain is still developing, and it

is very sensitive to alcohol’s effects on

judgment and decision-making. Tragedies

can—and do—happen, so underage drinking

should not be a part of any celebration.

The Effects of Alcohol Can Be Deceptive...

If you are asked to explain the reasons behind your rules,

you can describe the effects of alcohol on the human

body:

When people drink alcohol, they may temporarily

feel elated and happy, but they should not be fooled. As

blood alcohol content rises, the effects on the body—and

the potential risks—multiply.

Inhibitions and memory become affected, so people

may say and do things that they will regret later and

possibly not remember doing at all.

Decision-making skills are affected. When they

drink, some people may become restless and aggressive.

They may be at greater risk for having an alcohol-related

traffic crash, getting into fights, or making unwise

decisions about sex.

Coordination and physical control are also impacted.

When drinking leads to loss of balance, slurred speech, and blurred vision, even normal

activities can become more dangerous.

Consuming too much alcohol can also lead to

death. If people drink too much, they will

eventually get sleepy and pass out. Reflexes like

gagging and

breathing can be

suppressed. That

means they could

vomit and choke,

or just stop

breathing

completely.

Stop believing it’s about YOU!

Get the facts...it might just save a life!

A Word About Alcohol Overdose

Thousands of students are transported to the

emergency room each year for alcohol

overdoses, which occur when high levels of

alcohol suppress the nervous and respiratory

systems. Signs of this dangerous condition can

include:

Slow or irregular breathing;

Vomiting;

Mental confusion, stupor, loss of

consciousness, or coma; and

Hypothermia or low body temperature,

bluish or pale

skin.

An

alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or death, so

a person showing any of these signs requires immediate medical

attention. If you or your graduates notice any of these signs, don’t

wait. Call 911 if you suspect an alcohol overdose.

Think About It!

Drinking to celebrate graduation can result in vandalism, arrests,

sexual assaults, trips to the emergency room, alcohol-related traffic

crashes, and worse. Drinking by teens can put them—and their

friends—in real danger. Ask them to consider this question: Is that

any way to celebrate?

Talking With Your Graduate...

It is critical to talk with your

graduate because research shows that

parents do make a difference. By

serving as positive role models,

talking to other parents and your

teens, supervising parties to

make sure no alcohol is

served, and supporting alcohol-free school celebrations, you

can help prevent a life-

changing mistake.

Remember...

Tell your graduate to play it

safe and party right—and

alcohol-free—at graduation.

Because a well-deserved

celebration shouldn’t end in tragedy.

These photos are to show

that we

may not

always

know

where

our

children are and whether they are obeying the

rules regarding alcohol.

F H T R A M S E Y K F Y G E Y

G A G D L P H E A L E L Q D R

N R Q E A H R U C S T C U E A

I D C N I S A M C I A O M T N

M W O I C H T D O M L M S A I

R O M M E O S W M O E P C C D

O R M R P N H O P D N E H I R

F K I E S O D R L E T T O T O

S I T T R R U T I S E E L S A

N N T E T I O H S E D N A I R

A G E D L N R Y H R X T S H T

R L D D N G P G E V H V T P X

T L U F E P O H D I M D I O E

M E N L I G H T E N E D C S F

H E S I W U B G J G M Q P J T

ACCOMPLISHED

COMMITTED

COMPETENT

DESERVING

DETERMINED

ENLIGHTENED EXTRAORDINARY HARDWORKING

HONORING

HOPEFUL

PROUD

SMART

SOPHISTICATED

SPECIAL

SCHOLASTIC

STAR

TALENTED

TRANSFORMING

WISE

WORTHY

Graduation Word Search

The construction of nearly every prevention

program begins with an understanding of factors

that place people at risk for or protect them

from problem behaviors.

PICADA Programming for 2018

Website: Abovetheinfluencedcw.org

AODA Basics

Alcohol Education Options program (AEO)

Alcohol: True Stories, Narrated by Matt Damon

FORTRESS

Media Detective

Multi-Jurisdictional Alcohol Program (MAP)

Outreach/Community Networking

PICADA (A program of Family Service Madison)

608-316-1118; dougm@fsmad.org

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Family Service Madison continues to be a strong Madison

health care agency by creating and sustaining quality services

through entrepreneurship and collaborative partnerships that

make our community a better place to live.

FAMILY SERVICE MADISON

128 East Olin Avenue

Madison WI 53713

Ph. 608-252-1320

Fax. 608-252-1333

www.famad.org

WEBSITES MANAGED

BY PICADA

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www.radarmc.com

www.bellevillecares.net