LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Underage drinking
Editor: It is always so extremely sad and upsetting to read in
the paper about a tragic alcohol-related death of a teenager, and
Sonoma County consistently has teen drinking rates higher than the
statewide average. So, I am writing to tell parents that there is a
very helpful guide that contains lots of practical information and
advice about how to keep teens alcohol free.
It is published by the Sonoma County Department of Health
Services, in conjunction with the Maternal, Child and Adolescent
Health Advisory Board, and called, “Underage Drinking in Sonoma
County.” It provides strategies to help parents have a conversation
with their teens about drug and alcohol use. Studies show that
children who learn about drug risks from their parents are up to 50
percent less likely to use alcohol. Parents are the number one
influence in their teens’ lives, regardless of how it may seem at
the time.
This four-page guide also contains information from new research
showing the damaging effects of alcohol on the developing teen
brain. Alcohol affects  a teen’s brain differently than adults.
Teens are at a greater risk of addiction. People who start drinking
before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop
alcohol-related problems than those who start drinking after age
21.
“Underage Drinking in Sonoma County” only takes a few minutes to
read, and can make a big difference in the lives of parents and
teens. It’s available in English and Spanish, and can be downloaded
from www.sonoma-county.org/mcah.
I urge you to check it out.
Nikki Efigenio
Sonoma County Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory
Board
Healdsburg