Pubdate: Sat, 27 Jul 2002
Source: Daily Star, The (NY)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.thedailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/557

CURBING DRUG USE BY TEENS

The fight to protect teen-agers from the dangers of alcohol and drug use 
seems to have had some good results, according to a national survey 
recently released.

We hope the decrease in use is reflected among our local teen population.

But we know that no matter how much statistics show less use, the fight is 
endless. Just in the past month, three people - two 21-year- old men and a 
woman, 23 - died in automobile crashes that authorities said were alcohol 
related.

Nationally, Pride Surveys found that the number of students who used 
alcohol - 65 percent - in the previous year was the lowest in the 15- year 
history of its studies. The group also reported that 37 percent of 
12th-graders used an illicit drug in the past year; for the five previous 
years, the rate was a constant 41 percent.

The study - based on questionnaires given to more than 100,000 anonymously 
high school students in 21 states - showed that teen-agers who participate 
in after-school activities, go to a house of worship and communicate with 
teachers are less likely to use drugs and alcohol. Pride officials 
attribute the declining numbers partially to the focus on family that 
happened after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

After-school activities, religious and teacher involvement can support 
healthy behaviors among teen-agers, said Betty Currier, executive director 
of LEAF Council on Alcohol and Addictions in Cooperstown. But numbers will 
remain down only if emphasis on family continues, she said.

"Things tend to happen, and people address the issue, and say, 'We've 
addressed something, we've made a change,'" she said. "But then the old 
ways come back again, and the cycle begins."

Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, a coalition of governors' 
spouses, federal agencies and public and private organizations, aims to 
prevent use of alcohol by children ages 9 to 15. The group says successful 
alcohol-prevention programs include one or more of three approaches: 
Reducing the availability of alcohol; improving the effectiveness of law 
enforcement; and changing social norms to reinforce the message that 
alcohol use by young people is unacceptable.

In Delaware County, the Under the Influence Coalition is trying some shock 
treatment to get across the impact of alcohol abuse. The group recently 
staged a death scene where a girl appeared to have a heart attack from 
alcohol poisoning.

Andy Lombardi, owner of Lombardi's Family Tavern in Hamden, near the site 
of the mock event, said the performance might have a positive impact.

"If it affects one kid, I think it's worth it," Lombardi said. "Maybe it 
will make some of them think twice."

We must maintain the positive factors, such as family, sports and other 
activities, that reduce teen-age alcohol and drug use. And we also must 
find innovative and creative ways to get the message across.
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