SARPY COUNTY, Neb. (KMTV) -- — Authorities and local organizations say it’s important to talk to your kids about underage drinking with New Year’s Eve upon us.
Sarpy County Sheriff Jeff Davis says some teens are getting a hold of alcohol like vodka, putting them in water bottles, and selling them for $5-$10. He adds they aren’t getting the message after 4 Gretna teens were killed in an alcohol related crash in June.
Andrea Frazier with Mothers Against Drunk Driving says parents need to be more vigilant than ever because kids are getting sneakier when concealing booze.
-"When we talk with parents, we just remind them to be honest, have the conversation often, and have it early. The earlier you start talking to kids the more likely they are to develop that trust in you,” Frazier explained.
Here’s some tips from M.A.D.D. for tracking and preventing underage drinking:
- Have access and monitor your kid’s social media profiles and understand they may have hidden accounts.
- Check their backpacks and vehicles for empty drink bottles and find out what was in them.
- Check for fake ID’s since they are easy to purchase on the internet.
- Make sure your children know the consequences of stealing alcohol.
- Let your kids know that they can contact someone if they need help and make a bad decision.
- Explain the dangers of mixing illegal or legal drugs with alcohol.
