Being a parent of a teenager can be challenging and particularly so when dealing with issues such as alcohol use.  Alcohol Information Nights are about helping parents and their adolescent children discuss their views and concerns about alcohol in a supportive environment. 

Parents are an important influence on their children and parental attitudes, norms and behaviours around alcohol use affect their children.  Parents can also play an important role in helping their adolescent children avoid or minimise the harms associated with alcohol misuse. 

Drinking does not occur in the school: it occurs during leisure time, at home and elsewhere. It is a behaviour largely learned from family and friends, and an area which parents have sought to directly influence and usually control.

Programs to minimise harm encourage parents to talk with their children about drinking and related issues. This leads not only to better understanding between child and parent, but to the parent providing practical help, including drinking supervision or help getting home after parties. Many parents report that they want to help their children work through alcohol issues and choices but don't know how to go about it.

Parents play an important role in influencing young people’s beliefs about alcohol and patterns of alcohol consumption.  Therefore, informing parents is an important way of addressing the problems associated with youth drinking.