Out Of Their Hands...

Recognizing that problems associated with underage drinking cannot be addressed by focusing solely on youth, the State of South Carolina is working with local Alcohol Enforcement Teams, Drug Free Community Coalitions and your County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Authority to target parents and other adults through our Out Of Their Hands statewide initiative.

Parents tend to dramatically underestimate teenage binge drinking and their own children’s drinking in particular and, in some cases, parents enable and/or condone underage drinking.

Nationally, 65 percent of teenagers report getting their alcohol from family and friends; and research proves that parents are the most influential person in their child’s life and are the key to preventing underage drinking. 

The campaign will emphasize that providing alcohol to minors is against the law and that together we can keep it “Out Of Their Hands.”  Similarly, there will be considerable focus on educating parents, caregivers, merchants and community members about the consequences of providing alcohol to a minor or hosting underage drinking parties. 

Over the course of the next several weeks, local community groups will come together to make their community a safer place. Each community will incorporate evidence-based approaches to local efforts that are based on community needs and local needs assessment data. Activities could include sticker shock campaigns, compliance checks, party patrols, media campaigns, town hall meetings, parent outreach, and the list is as unique as is the community you live in and the commitment you are willing to make to our youth.

It can not happen without you so please look at the website and learn how you can make a difference by connecting with your community AET person to volunteer or talking to your child about the dangers of underage drinking using our parent page for guidance and if you sell alcohol onsite or offsite then please stop by our Merchant page and learn what you can do---Together we can Keep It Out Of Their Hands.

Click here to see the Seven Evidence Based strategies that have been woven into the local plans to prevent underage drinking.