QUESTION EVERYTHING.
HERE’S THE TOP 5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ELEPHANT IS IN THE ROOM CAMPAIGN.
1WHAT IS THE ELEPHANT IS IN THE ROOM CAMPAIGN?
The Elephant is in the Room is a marketing campaign designed by parents
for parents to help them prevent underage drinking before it starts.
2WHERE CAN I FIND CAMPAIGN MATERIALS?
The Elephant is in the Room campaign materials are displayed in school,
on social media, through email, text messages, and here on our website!
3WHY SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO THE CAMPAIGN?
Because you love your children and want to keep them safe. The Elephant is
in the Room is like a good friend that’s full of great advice, helpful resources,
and tips on how to keep your teen from drinking alcohol underage.
4IS THE CAMPAIGN IN SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE?
Nope. The Elephant is in the Room campaign is only offered in a couple
schools in southern Illinois. The people responsible for creating the materials
live here, work here, and know what it’s like to be a parent because well, we
are parents.
5IS THIS NECESSARY? MY KID IS TOO YOUNG TO THINK ABOUT DRINKING.
Studies show that kids start experimenting with alcohol as early as age 12, so yes, the campaign materials and messages are an invaluable resource for parents who want to keep their kids safe and healthy.
THERE'S NOTHING YOU WON'T DO TO MAKE YOUR KIDS HAPPY.
Hey, Dad. (And Mom, too.)
You've done it all: The tea parties, the tiny ponytails and braids, the questionable makeup jobs. There's nothing you won't do to make your kids happy. So here's one more item to add to the list: have the awkward conversation about underage drinking. It's uncomfortable, but so worth it.
Here's what the research says:
You have more influence than you think. Over 80% of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. (SAMHSA). That’s not awkward, that’s awesome!
Kids notice more than "the talk" itself. Adolescents who know their parents would be upset if they drank are less likely to do it. This means the communication and clear expectations matter as much as the conversation. (NIAAA)
Starting early makes a real difference. People who take their first drink before age 15 are 6.5 times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder than those who wait until 21. (SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health). Takeaway: Don’t wait!
The stakes are real. Alcohol is the most common drug used by people under 21 in the U.S., and underage drinking contributes to roughly 4,000 preventable deaths among young people each year. (CDC)
The trend is moving the right direction. Let’s keep it moving. Underage drinking has declined for five straight years and is now at or near historic lows, which means these conversations are working. Don't stop now. (Monitoring the Future / Responsibility.org)
Bottom line: you'll do a lot of embarrassing things to make your kids happy. Make "the talk" one of them. It's a lot less awkward than it feels, and it matters more than almost anything else you'll do this year.
