With more opportunities for teens to get into trouble looming, it was no wonder the parents who sat in the auditorium at Sanderson High School Tuesday night paid close attention at a forum entitled, "Teen High Risk Behaviors: Cost and Consequences."

Several parents jotted notes as school counselors, lawyers, police and security officers and an insurance agent talked about the consequences of teenage behaviors, particularly underage drinking and driving.

The forum was part two of an initiative by Sanderson's parent-teacher association to promote awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and driving to students and parents. Leesville and Millbrook parent groups also participated in Tuesday's forum.

Last year, the parent association focused on students by bringing in a mangled car from alcohol-related crash. During Tuesday's session, panelists doled out statistics making it clear that teens are at risk in everyday situations.

Andrew Cioffi, a local attorney, said teens are more likely to commit a crime or be the victims of a crime during the hours of 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. rather than late at night. During that same time frame kids are likely to dabble in drinking or smoking.

In the past two years, a period in which five Wakefield High School teens were killed in alcohol-related crashes, Wake County high schools have been aggressive about talking to teens and parents about perilous behaviors and consequences.

In those conversations, parents have wondered what their responsibilities are if their teen hosts a party if they are out of town.

Attorney Jennifer Milak told the audience that parents could be liable if teens are throwing back a couple of beers at their house and they know it and if another parent finds out that alcohol was consumed while their child was visiting another parent's home.

"Use common sense to know what is going on and figure out if there is any illegal activity going on at your house," Milak said.

Parents let out a groan when security officers from North Hills recalled typical weekend nights at the shopping area where on occasion they've caught kids lurking behind buildings drinking and smoking. And how, most often, kids are caught stealing.

One of the security officers challenged parents to know who their kids are hanging out with because he said mischievous activities usually occur in groups.

Panelists also cautioned parents about the popular social-networking sites, MySpace.com and Facebook.com. They said to warn teens that any information on the sites that would make grandma blush also makes college admissions' directors blush and gives them pause before sending out acceptance letters.

Leesville Road parents Dan and Liz Lund attended the forum armed with several pamphlets on teenage safe driving tips before they left.

"We have good kids," Liz Lund said, "but we want to stay one step ahead of them."

Dan Lund added that the forum gives parents the extra boost they need during the teenage years.

"Parents need the inspiration to be diligent in the matters of keeping their kids safe," he said.

Tuesday's forum was on the eve of spring break and just weeks before parents extend curfews and let kids flirt with a little more independence for proms.

"If parents understand the legal and criminal affects of their child's behavior they may be a little more proactive," said Sanderson PTSA president Anne Sherron. "It's like what we said here tonight, 'You won't know if you've prevented something, but you'll know if you haven't.'"