Chef Liz Scott
Author of "The Sober Kitchen: Recipes and Advice for a Liftime of Recovery"

The most recent data from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University reveals some alarming statistics: 25% of the alcohol consumed in the United States is by underage drinkers. It’s a scary state of affairs that has prompted much new research into the effects of early drinking habits. We now know that the brain does not fully develop until age 25, so that any excessive drinking or drug taking before then will definitely have long-term effects on mental functions such as learning and memory. Binge drinking in particular, if accompanied by blacking out, can be extremely harmful to the developing brain’s memory capabilities, far more so than adults who experience the same thing. Addiction can occur more rapidly than in adults, and perhaps with more permanency, creating formidable resistance to treatment .

Unfortunately, as adults, we may be making matters worse. Many parents consider drinking a “phase” which will pass and consequently do not use the same strict rules they apply to drug use. And it is in the homes of parents and friends’ parents where much of the alcohol is obtained. So when graduation time rolls around, what can we do to discourage this trend? When high school students finally reach that graduation milestone, it’s certainly a time for celebration. Here’s an idea - why not turn your backyard into a delicious eating fest of all their favorite things from chili to pizza to delectable s’mores, and offer drinks that are safe, yet festive. Need some help? You’ve come to the right place!

Water and soft drinks need to be plentiful so arrange several buckets of ice with bottled spring water, fruit drinks, and any other soft drinks your grad recommends. Kegs of root beer can be ordered from your local liquor store or soda supplier. Have it delivered and set up for you earlier in the day. For root beer float making in large numbers, place scoops of vanilla ice cream in large plastic cups and have them ready in the freezer for grads to fill up with root beer from the keg. Some chocolate syrup for traditional black cows would be a nice touch. Don’t forget long straws and spoons for slurping!

To help build hearty appetites, organize some backyard fun with games like badminton or volleyball and let their favorite music provide the background for fellow grads to mix and mingle. Arrange something unique like hiring a fortune teller to let the grads see into their promising future, or rent arcade games or karaoke. Show them how free spirited a “spirit-free” party can be when it comes to really celebrating with friends and congratulating each other on a job well done. You don’t have to subscribe to the “myth of inevitability” – underage drinking, especially at graduation time, is not a given and hosting a fantastic alcohol-free party will clearly communicate that. Your kids have an innate capacity for exuberance and self-abandon. And creating an atmosphere where fun and frivolity are encouraged is something you can easily do as the hosting parents. Tapping into that is the key to a successful graduation party that will not only receive top grades from kids and parents alike, but label you as the “coolest” parents around.

Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizzas

It’s no surprise that when teens were surveyed on their favorite foods, pizza topped the list by a landslide. And, believe it or not, barbecued chicken was not too far behind, which would account for the ever increasing popularity of this combination in pizza parlors and frozen food aisles! Grilled on the backyard BBQ and whipped up to order, this dish will have everyone clamoring for a piece of the pie. Making use of pre-baked commercial pizza crusts makes this a snap to prepare. And having all the ingredients ready to go is important. Use your favorite BBQ sauce and pour it into a small bowl for easy application with a long handled spoon. Be sure to keep the cooked chicken and cheese on ice packs, especially if it’s a particularly hot day. Have handy equipment nearby like a wooden cutting board, large spatulas and a pizza cutter for quick service. And feel free to keep a jar of pizza sauce and some shredded mozzarella around for the traditionalists, just in case!

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 medium-size red onion, peeled and diced
• Oil for the grill
• 12 (7-inch) individual pre-made pizza crusts
• Two 16-ounce bottles hickory barbecue sauce
• 4 to 6 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or a combination of Jack and mozzarella)

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook the chicken in the skillet until the center is no longer pink, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and cut the breasts into ½-inch dice. Keep covered in a bowl in the refrigerator until ready to use.

2. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high. Brush the grates lightly with oil and place 2 or 3 pizza crusts on the grill. Cook until the crust begins to brown and grill marks appear, about 3 minutes. Turn the crust over and spread about ¼ cup of the barbecue sauce on top. Sprinkle with the cheese and add the diced chicken and red onion. Cover each pizza with a saucepan lid and continue to cook until the crust is lightly browned and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes. Transfer with a large spatula to a cutting board, slice with a pizza cutter, and serve. Repeat for the remaining pizza crusts and toppings.