08/20/2025
It’s almost back to school time, which means we at JTRCC will be back in the high schools supporting students.
Over the next few days we will share some information and education for parents. If you as a oarent have questions about substances, peer pressure, how to keep your kids safe or what are healthy boundaries, reach out.
Here’s a message to parents about alcohol:
Access is dangerous. The belief that it’s safer for your child to experiment at home, is a myth.
The teenage brain is still developing, so if you introduce substances as a way to bond, fit in, have fun, be cool or relax, you are hijacking the teenage brains’ ability to find healthy outlets and build healthy and genuine connections.
Adults have to change the example and model how to be secure, have fun, be cool and interesting, without alcohol.
The mindset that experimenting is “normal” or partying after a big sports game is just what kids do, has to stop.
We cant expect our kids to change if we dont show them the way.
Yes we have to have honest conversations about substances and drinking without shame, we have to be open to their questions, we have to be safe to talk to.
But as the role models for our next generation, we have a responsibility to show them a better way.
Kids allowed to drink at home grow up at gravely increased risk of alcoholism.
Drinking at home does not temper curiosity. It is not the harm reduction approach you might think.
Modeling having fun without drinking is the best harm reduction you can offer to your teens.
Being a safe place to call if they make a mistake is important too, but crossing the line into allowing it at home causes much more long term damage than you might think you’re avoiding.
And on a local note, we have been in the schools long enough that we see that the parents who allowed drinking at home and/or drink with their kids, many of those kids are adults with alcohol dependency and they are perpetuating the cycle and living less successful lives.
Once you know better, you can do better.
Reach out with questions- 802-624-4156
