Many well-meaning parents, aware of the dangers associated with teen drinking and driving, think it is enough to take away car keys so that their children and friends can “party safely.” What these parents may not know is that the dangers of alcohol extend beyond drinking and driving.

Here is what we know:

The problem of underage alcohol use in Montana is extensive and daunting. Alcohol is a leading cause of death and contributes substantially to adolescent motor vehicle crashes, other traumatic injuries.

- Local teens are drunk at school. Over 20 percent of Montana teens reported being drunk at school at least once in the previous year. Even more shocking: when surveyed, 22 percent of high school students in Lewis and Clark County reported the same behavior (Montana Prevention Needs Assessment Survey MPNA 2006).

- Teens, alcohol, and driving: a deadly combination. In 2004, The Montana Highway Traffic Safety Office documented 468 underage Montana drivers involved in alcohol/drug relate crashes — 11 were involved in fatal alcohol/drug crashes.

- Area teens binge-drink more than their peers across the nation. Montana teens rank highest in the nation for binge drinking based on the 2003 “National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” In the 2006 MPNA, 48 percent of area high school students reported binge drinking (5 or more drinks in a row on one occasion) during the last 30 days.

- Drinking begins early with nearly one-third beginning before age 13. Youths who report drinking before age 15 are more likely to develop substance abuse problems, engage in risky sexual behavior, and commit suici de in comparison to those who begin drinking at a later age www.oas.samhsa.gov.

- Alcohol is very easy for teens to get. In the 2006 MPNA , 40.7 percent of area youth reported that it would be very easy to get alcohol. The most likely source — their parents and their homes.

What we also know is that often parents actually host teen parties where alcohol is available to young people.

Parents should not be swayed by the plea: “But other parents let their kids do it!”

Parents may not know that by allowing teens to drink in their homes, they are actually breaking the law. In Montana, it is illegal to serve alcohol to teens or their friends, even in their own homes.

Also, adults providing alcohol to underage youth send a mixed message — a young person may think, “if drinking is illegal until I’m 21, then why are my folks providing it? Are we above the law?” This can only add to a teenager’s confusion about the acceptability of drinking.

To counter underage use of alcohol, particularly during this season of proms, graduations, a spring time parties, Youth Connections will be launching the “Parents Who Host, Lose The Most: Don’t be a party to teenage drinking” public awareness campaign to inform parents about the dangers of teenage drinking.

The objective of the campaign is to inform our community about the legal ramifications and health and safety risks of underage drinking.

This campaign is part of a comprehensive strategy to stem the problem of underage drinking in Helena that includes strict enforcement by area law enforcement and special trainings for those who serve alcohol to better identify and prevent sales of alcohol to young people.

We know that proms and graduations are important milestones for young people, and we believe that teenagers deserve to live and grow to adulthood in an environment where alcohol is not misused.

Hosting a lively party where alcohol is kept OUT of the hands of minors is the best way to show youth that we care about their future.

We hope that Helena teens have a wonderful prom and graduation season free from the ramifications — both legal and physical — from underage alcohol use!

Kelly Parsley heads Youth Connections.