I’ve been associated with the Fountain Hills Coalition for three years. The coalition focuses on the prevention of underage drinking and drug use. It has become increasingly apparent to me how detrimental alcohol and marijuana are to the adolescent brain and its development.

When I was a teenager, studies hadn’t been conducted regarding the short- and long-term effects of ingestion of these products and we had no idea of the danger that has now been proven. As a parent of a 15-year old I now realize we need to take every precaution to prevent usage.

Studies have found that a teenager who starts drinking alcohol at the age of 14 has a 40 percent chance of addiction during adulthood. If he or she waits until the age of 17 there is a 25 percent chance of addiction. If they are able to abstain until the legal age of 21 there is only a 10 percent chance of addiction. Regarding marijuana, 1 of 6 who start using as a teenager become addicted.

I urge parents to take underage drinking and marijuana usage seriously as it has such devastating effects on our children. We parents must take leadership.

Those teenagers who admit that their parents never let them drink at home are more than twice as likely to abstain from alcohol use as those who had parents that allowed alcohol consumption.

Fifty-seven percent of high school teens who report their parents allow them to drink at home, even once in a while, say they drink with their friends.

We should do everything in our community to prevent and minimize what seduces our teenagers. One way would be to minimize the influence on teens of the coming medical marijuana dispensary.

This truly is our community and through our involvement, concern and prayers we can be “difference makers” in creating a safe and enjoyable environment for our precious children.