Discuss college drinking with your teen

Parent Prevention Measures

Make sure your child knows  that MOST college students DON'T drink and that there are plenty of other ways    to get involved on campus without copious amount of alcohol. 

Set Expectations — think through your own expectations about your teen's behavior

in college. Be clear about your stance on alcohol and other drugs, including any consequences you will impose if your rules are broken. Try to avoid posing restrictions like putting off paying their tuition. They are asking for   help, and removing access to education isn't going to get them the help they need. Be sure your expectations are reasonable, well thought-out, and convey trust and support. Communicate these expectations to your teen well before he or she leaves for college.

Party Hosting — While you may think you're protecting your son or daughter by allowing drinking at home or offering to host parties where alcohol is being served, you're not. Not only are you condoning illegal behavior and sending a mixed message to your child, but in several states you can be held accountable for serving alcohol to a minor. There are two ways you can be held liable for hosting underage drinking parties - criminal and civil liability. Criminal liability involves a statutory prohibition enforced by the State through criminal proceedings that can    lead to sanctions such as fines or imprisonment. Civil liability involves an action by a private party seeking   monetary damages for injuries that result from permitting underage drinking on the host's premises.

Be open for discussion but don't discuss your past. —While it may be tempting to discuss your own history of   alcohol and drug use during college, it is not advisable. Your teen is still an adolescent, and you do not want to   give mixed messages about drinking and drug use by telling stories from your past. Your teen's life is the focus   now.