Live Alcohol Free
Living alcohol-free is more than just a choice—it’s a commitment to your well-being.
*Barry County data is compiled from the 2023-2024 MiPHY data.
Play It Safe; Your Future Is Worth It
Drinking alcohol before age 21 is a big health problem in the United States. Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among youth in the U.S.—even more than nicotine and illegal drugs.
Alcohol is a depressant made from the fermentation of fruits, vegetables, and grains. When a person drinks, alcohol travels through their bloodstream and can harm their brain, stomach, liver, kidneys, and muscles. For youth and young adults, their body's are still growing; alcohol consumption and alcohol damage now may affect them in the future. Statistics show that more youth die from alcohol use than all illegal drugs combined. Let’s work together and Be The Change to prevent underage drinking today!
Alcohol Education
At Be The Change, we host education and awareness programs, as well as parent and family engagement opportunities to bring attention to the dangers of underage drinking.
We are proud to say that our current prevention techniques are working, presently, 93% of vendors in Barry County DO NOT sell alcohol to minors. At Be The Change, we also work with local retailers to provide TIPS® training; a skills-based training program designed to teach individuals how to prevent intoxication, underage drinking, and drunk driving.
Parents Are Prevention
Parents are the first line of prevention when it comes to alcohol and underage drinking awareness. As a parent, you hold tremendous influence over whether your child decides to drink or not. Parents who do not discourage underage drinking may have an indirect influence on their children's alcohol use as well. Parents should be clear to their youth that they disapprove of underage drinking and should find opportunities to discuss the dangers of alcohol and underage drinking.
Teen brains are more vulnerable to alcohol. Research shows that the teen brain doesn’t fully develop until 25. Alcohol can alter this development, potentially affecting brain structure and function.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a life threatening alcohol emergency, don’t wait—call 911
For non-life threatening emergencies, please call Barry County Recovery's 24/7 Crisis Line at 1-866-266-4781.
