Public Service Announcement

Attorney General Michael Geraghty encourages parents to talk to their kids about underage drinking

August 6, 2014

Attorney General Michael Geraghty made the following statement regarding underage drinking:

“Alcoholism is a scourge in our state, and with the new school year fast-approaching, we are reminded that it is never too early to talk with our kids about alcohol. According to the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health, the amount of alcohol dependence and abuse in Alaska is twice the national average. Almost 40 percent of high-school aged youth had at least one drink of alcohol in the last 30 days, and 26 percent had a binge-drinking episode. Although this is an improvement from two decades ago, we still have a ways to go to prevent our youth from falling into the cycle of alcohol abuse.

“What can we do about it? We can all start by sitting our children down and talking about it.

“I hope you will join me in being part of the solution by helping our kids make the right choice and reversing the trend of alcoholism in our state.”

The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility has put together some resources that any parent can use to get started.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services also has more information specifically relating to Alaska.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.