Local campaign ties into national drive to address the dangers of underage drinking

Youth Mentoring at Helping Services for Youth & Families is participating in a campaign called  "Talk. They Hear You." This national campaign aims to reduce underage drinking among youth ages 9 to 15 by providing parents and caregivers with information and resources they need to start addressing the issue of alcohol with their children early.

Mentoring Coordinator Kathy Schwartzhoff explains, "This campaign is relevant and vital because the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) latest report on underage drinking shows that more than a quarter of American youth engage in underage drinking. Although there has been progress in reducing the extent of underage drinking in recent years, the rates of underage drinking are still unacceptably high. "Talk. They Hear You." raises parents' and other caring adults' awareness about these issues and arms them with information they need to start a conversation about alcohol before children become teenagers."

Iowa Department of Public Health Youth Mentoring AmeriCorps member Colinne McCann says, "Helping Services is very excited to promote this campaign, especially because one of our goals for the youth in mentoring is to prevent substance use. Youth Mentoring is always encouraging adults to have meaningful conversations with young people. We hope some adults will be inspired by this campaign and become mentors."

For more information on the campaign visit www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov
For more information on mentoring through Helping Serivces visit www.helpingservices.org/mentoring, call 563-387-1720,  or email mentoring@helpingservices.org.