Celebrate holidays responsibly, safely

To the editor:

Tis the season to be responsible.

The holidays are almost upon us, a time of pies, cookies, turkey, Christmas festivities and the temptation to overdo alcohol consumption. While holiday related adult alcohol use is something to be aware of, there is cause for concern of a corresponding rise in teen drinking.

This time of year, the news is full of preventable alcohol related tragedies from fatal car crashes to stunts that send our kids to emergency rooms. Too often we hear of families who should be enjoying some of the best times of their lives suddenly facing the worst because of a careless act of irresponsible drinking. In the phrase, ?responsibility begins at home? is the irrevocable role of parents as the number one reason why teens make good choices, especially those who initiate a dialogue, establish expectations and enforce consequences.

As parents well know, there are seemingly limitless threats to kids that cause worry and sleepless nights. If you have found yourself in a late night driving search for your kids, you have experienced the anxiety of the unknown, the ultimate in helplessness. Take the ?what-if? out of the holidays by being a parent, not a friend. After all, when you shoulder responsibility the rewards are priceless including healthy, safe children and making those special memories worthy of the Christmas season.

? Don Sander, SIEDA Community Action Jefferson County SPFSIG coordinator