Help teens make smart choices

This time of year can also mean that teens have more free time and could face added pressure to drink alcohol. It's important for parents to exercise their positive parenting influence and help their teens make responsible decisions.

In fact, when it comes to underage drinking, parents have the biggest influence on their teens' decisions. According to the 2007 Roper Youth Report, 69 per cent of teens ages 13 to 17 say their parents - not their peers - are the No. 1 influence on their decisions about whether they drink alcohol, and that finding has remained consistent since this survey began more than a decade ago.

Lonnie Carton, director of teen and family resources for the web-based Warm2Kids program and an advisory panel member of the Family Talk About Drinking program, offers parents advice on how to use their positive influence with teens as they celebrate graduation and summer break.

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