Trouble with teen drinking often the adults in their lives

The United States tried alcohol prohibition last century, with disastrous results, but that doesn't mean some restrictions aren't proper and effective.

One of them is giving young brains a chance to mature as much as possible before they are exposed to alcohol and its attendant physical and social consequences.

Toward that end, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and sponsor Nationwide Insurance are making a special effort Saturday to get teenagers and the people who have the best chance to positively influence them about alcohol, their parents, to connect.

"PowerTalk 21" day, April 21, aims to get parents to start talking with their kids about alcohol.

It's not just a teenage problem, sponsors point out, in fact, it's mostly an adult problem -- 26 percent of all high school age drinkers get their alcohol from a parent or family member.

"Nationally, teen alcohol use kills 6,000 young people each year," said Sara Magnus of MADD Nebraska. "However, parents have the power to change this. "MADD wants Nebraska parents and adult role models to harness their power by starting an ongoing conversation about alcohol on April 21, then continuing to talk with their kids year-round."

According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration data, these are the top five ways high-school age drinkers get their alcohol:

1. From someone 21 or older who is not related to the teen (25 percent)

2. From someone under 21 who is not related to the teen (22 percent).

3. From a famil member who is 21 or older (13 percent)

4. From a parent or guardian (13 percent)

5. Took it from home (10 percent)

With the support of Nebraska first lady Sally Ganem, PowerTalk 21 is offering free, 30-minute workshops designed to inform parents and other parental figures about the importance of frequent, ongoing communication about alcohol, in order to reduce underage drinking and its associated dangers. They also provide a "Power of Parents" handbook offering parents and guardians tools and resources to have the "sometimes difficult, but potentially lifesaving conversation about alcohol with their kids" on PowerTalk 21 day and throughout the year.

For more information, visit 222.madd.org/powertalk21.