Preventing Underage Drinking Starts at Home: Talk It Out NC Empowers Parents and Children to Take Action Against Underage Drinking

Alcohol Awareness Month Highlights the Importance of Open Dialogue to Prevent Underage Drinking

RALEIGH, N.C., April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Talk it Out NC, the North Carolina initiative to prevent underage drinking, is encouraging communities to engage in open dialogue about the effects of underage drinking this April during Alcohol Awareness Month.  

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that alcohol use can be a significant predictor of accelerated brain aging, even showing signs in young adulthood. As youth commonly face pressure from peers to engage in underage drinking, having discussions about the physical, emotional, and mental repercussions of underage alcohol use is critical during this Alcohol Awareness Month.

 Wake Monarch Academy is a high school located in Raleigh dedicated to providing a supportive environment for students recovering from substance use disorders. Sacha, a student in recovery at Wake Monarch, agrees with this sentiment and advocates for open communication among youth and the adults in their lives.   

 "For people my age, it can be very difficult to have conversations about underage drinking without feeling like you're going to get in trouble, and this makes it especially difficult to find an adult you can trust to talk about these issues with," said Sacha, who recently completed one year of sobriety.  "I think that fear can hold people back from asking for help or speaking openly and honestly about your experiences. Having someone you can turn to makes all the difference." 

  While the legal drinking age in North Carolina is 21, Talk it Out NC research  shows some children have their first taste of alcohol as early as 12 years old. This early exposure makes it more likely that teens will engage in other risky behaviors like drunk driving and binge drinking. 

 "Curiosity is what drew me in initially, and I think when you're underage you're more susceptible to that kind of pressure," said Bodie, another student at Wake Monarch Academy who highlights the importance of having a strong support system to encourage teens to make smart decisions and prevent underage alcohol consumption. "Alcohol dependency for everyone began with one drink, and a lot of the time, that started out as a poor decision at an early age. Encouraging open conversations and support from friends and family can help prevent young people from ever going down that road." 

National Alcohol Awareness Month was established in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to increase understanding of alcohol dependency and its causes, and to encourage public education about programs and resources for recovery. Talk It Out NC encourages parents and teens to Take the Pledge to refrain from underage drinking and to promise to keep the lines of communication open and talk honestly about:

• how to handle peer pressure,
• the negative physical effects alcohol can have on the developing brain,
• the ramifications of driving under the influence, and
• other effects of alcohol use.

"Alcohol Awareness Month is the perfect time for parents, mentors, educators, and adults to start having discussions with the young people in their lives about making healthy decisions and avoiding the pressures of underage drinking," said Jeff Strickland, Public Affairs Director for the North Carolina ABC Commission. "It's important to destigmatize the topic. By having these conversations and acknowledging Alcohol Awareness Month we can  encourage informed decision making among our youth and better prevent underage alcohol use." 

 For more information about Alcohol Awareness Month activities, the #TiONCSweepstakes, and access the underage drinking prevention toolkit, visit the Talk it Out NC website. 

MEDIA CONTACT
Nancy Bostrom, [email protected], 919.459.8163

About Talk it Out NC:  

The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission launched the Talk it Out NC campaign in 2014. The goal of the multimedia awareness and engagement campaign is to reduce underage drinking by encouraging conversations between responsible adults and young people. Talk it Out NC offers resources for parents and others who need guidance in talking to their children about the dangers of underage drinking. This aligns with the ABC Commission's mission of working to strengthen the public health, wellness, and safety of communities across North Carolina. 

Visit www.TalkitOutNC.org to get the conversation started. 

SOURCE Talk it Out NC