Last Updated on December 10, 2019 by Valarie Ward

As we continue to support Red Ribbon Week, the national campaign to prevent underage drinking, we are sharing this list of community programs for parents, teachers, retailers and anyone who wants to take a part in keeping our kids safe from the dangers of alcohol abuse. Preventing substance abuse is a community effort and we hope that you will participate in these programs and programs like them even after Red Ribbon Week.

Ask. Listen. Learn.

The Ask. Listen. Learn. program is especially for preteens and teens to encourage them to say no to alcohol, keep good grades, and support their community. The program’s slogan is “Kids and alcohol don’t mix.” The ultimate goal of Ask. Listen. Learn is to teach kids how to say “Yes” to a healthy lifestyle and “No” to underage drinking. The program is both educational and entertaining, often featuring campaigns led by celebrity athletes as spokesmodels and community leaders. Visit their website at AskListenLearn.com for helpful resources including posters, interactive games, parent toolkits and a list of activities and events. Students can even take the Ask.Listen.Learn. pledge to say yes to a healthy lifestyle and stay active in their community.

Not in Our House

Not in Our House is a nationwide initiative on Underage Drinking and Social Hosting. This program has been developed to raise awareness of illegal underage drinking and social host laws in communities. The program takes an innovative approach to the issue by helping adults to be aware of the criminal and civil liability they may face if they host an underage drinking party in the home, and by building communication skills in young people while teaching them about the risks of drinking alcohol. Not only is the program focused at preventing adults from serving alcohol to minors in the home, but also at school activities such as proms, homecoming and sporting events. Visit the Century Council’s website to access prevention resources for your school and/or home.

We Don’t Serve Teens

Don’t serve alcohol to teens. It’s unsafe. It’s illegal. It’s irresponsible.
A great resource for parents and teachers, WeDontServeTeens.gov is a website aimed at preventing easy access to alcohol for teens and youth under the age of 21. Some kids may use fake ID’s to buy their own alcohol, but most of them get it from adults either at home, at a party or at a friends house. In fact 9 out of 10 kids say it’s very easy to get alcohol if they really wanted to drink. Thankfully, 51% of them say they choose not to drink, however this program is aimed at increasing the number of teens who do not drink alcohol by making it harder for them to be exposed to it. Visit their website for more information on how you can prevent underage drinking in your home.

Cops In Shops

Have you ever noticed this sign in alcohol retail establishments?

Sponsored by the Century Council, Cops in Shops is a community partnership between local retailers and law enforcement designed to prevent minors from buying alcohol. The program is also aimed at discouraging adults from buying alcohol on the minor’s behalf. Retailers who participate allow undercover officers to pose as retail clerks or customers in the store. The goal is to proactively stop anyone under the age of 21 from buying alcohol directly from the retailer. Another component of the program teaches retailers how to identify fake IDs, the signs of intoxication, and the physical and behavioral characteristics of minors, giving them a better understanding of their legal responsibilities and the knowledge necessary to fulfill them.