41% of Yakima 12th Graders Say Alcohol Is Easy to Access, Raising Concerns

When the weather changes in the Yakima valley many young people like to get outside, have fun and some like to drink alcohol.

APRIL IS AN IMPORTANT MONTH

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and officials with Safe Yakima Valley say it's a chance for parents to talk to young people about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs before kids are exposed to them. In fact officials at Safe Yakima Valley say research shows the most crucial factor in healthy child development is a strong, open relationship with a parent. They say it's essential to starting talking about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs with your children early on, starting as early as age 7 and continuing through young adulthood, including college years.

THERE'S NO RIGHT TIME TO TALK JUST DO IT

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Safe Yakima Valley officials say simply Don’t Wait for the “Right” Time—It’s always a good time to talk to your kids about the dangers of impaired driving.
A press release from Safe Yakima Valley says "research suggests that THE most important protective factor in healthy child development is a strong, open relationship with a parent." 63% of kids in Yakima County say their parents or caregivers talked with them about not drinking alcohol according to a recent survey. 36% of 8th graders say they received alcohol at home with permission.

TALK BEFORE THEY USE

Safe Yakima Valley says if a child uses any substance they have a 34% chance of developing a long term problem in the future.
And how about this finding, 41% of 12th graders in Yakima County think it's easy to get alcohol.
So what can parents do today? Safe Yakima Valley officials say forget about waiting for the right time to have a conversation. They say some common situations give you a chance to discuss drunk and drug-impaired driving:
· When your child asks to borrow the car;

· When you’re at the dinner table together;

· When your child asks if he or she can ride with a friend to school/an event/a party;

· When you’re running weekend errands;

· When you’re at the grocery store;

· When you and your child are in the car together.

For more information safeyakimavalley.org