Safe Homes

SAFE FOR TEENAGE PARTIES - SAFE FROM ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS

SAFE HOMES PARENTS agree to cooperate with schools, law enforcement and young people to create a healthy atmosphere in which the use of alcohol and other drugs is no longer the "norm". SAFE HOMES parents are taking a stand against the alarming increase in alcohol and drug use among our youth.

FAMILY GUIDELINES. Inform your children that you have taken the SAFE HOMES PLEDGE and discuss it with them. Know where your children are. Assure them that they can telephone you to be picked up whenever they find themselves in a situation that is uncomfortable or threatening. Get to know your children's friends and their parents. Be awake or awakened when young people come home at night.

When your child is invited to an activity, call the person in charge and verify the location and occasional. Check on adult supervision, and verify that no drugs or alcohol will be available. If the activity seems inappropriate for your child's age group, express your concerns. Keep your child home an seek alternative activities. If you need to leave your older teenagers alone overnight, alert your friends and neighbors, so they know you are planning to be away.

LIABILITY. Many times parties are spur-of-the-moment occurrences when parents are not home. Frequently, alcohol and other drugs are used at these parties and young people may get drunk or high. Houses are damaged, and violence and even death can occur. Whether you, as a parent, are home or not, case law exists which establishes liability with you in such situations.

Drinking under the age of 21 is against the law.
Driving while intoxicated is a criminal offense.
Alcohol and other drug use cause injury, loss of inhibition, sexual abuse, illness and even death.
Serving a minor is a criminal offense, and adults are potentially liable for resulting negative consequences.
Parents may be sued for damages and injuries caused by the underage individuals they serve. In other words, YOU MAY BE SUED FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND ACCIDENTS. The adult is held responsible, NOT the underage host or drinker.

BENEFITS OF TAKING THE SAFE HOME PLEDGE.

Adults take a united stand against alcohol and other drugs, becoming more effective than when they act separately.
Parents benefit from the support of other parents by helping each other resist pressure from others who do not set limits on their children's behavior.
Parents are reassured when their kids attend parties at a SAFE HOMES location.
SAFE HOMES members have access to THEODORE ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTORY listing other families who support this program.

AS A HOST PARENT.

Be a visible host/hostess. Tell the guests who choose to leave the activity that they may not return.
Encourage "by invitation only" gatherings. Use a guest list and refuse entrance to any party crashers.
Call the parents of anyone possessing drugs or alcohol or appearing to be under the influence of either.
Call the appropriate law enforcement, if necessary. Do not allow anyone under the influence to go home alone or drive.

PARENTS PLEDGE FOR SAFE HOMES

I pledge that I will not allow parties and gatherings when I am not home.
I pledge that I will not serve alcohol, nor will I allow youth under the legal drinking age of 21 to consume alcohol at my home/property.
I will not allow the use of illicit drugs at my home/property.
I will discuss my expectations and this pledge with my child.

Click here to take the SAFE HOMES PLEDGE!
Click here to view the SAFE HOMES Directory.