Pubdate: Tue, 14 Sep 2004
Source: Barrington Times (RI)
Copyright: 2004 Barrington Times
Contact:  http://www.barringtonri.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1814
Author: Lucy Butler
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

OVER 400 TEENS ATTEND SUBSTANCE-FREE BEACH PARTY

BARRINGTON - A night of fun and festivities at the substance free beach 
party on Saturday was marked with a somber reminder from Lori Nunes. Ms. 
Nunes is the mother of the late Justin Nunes, a Bristol teen who was killed 
in a drunk-driving related accident more than a year ago. She attended the 
Barrington beach party hoping to inspire local teens to avoid making the 
same mistake her son did.

"We all need to work together to keep one another safe," she said to the 
teenagers gathered at the beach. "To value the lives we are given. To make 
the right choices. One bad choice can cost you dearly.

"I know how much Justin loved the beach. I truly believe in my heart he is 
here right now."

The crowd at the beach listened closely to the speech, understanding the 
message being sent. Her speech was just one of the activities scheduled for 
the first ever Barrington Beach Substance Free Party. For more than five 
hours Saturday night, students played games, listened to live music and 
socialized at the drug and alcohol free party sponsored by the Barrington 
Substance Abuse Task Force. More than 400 teenagers attended the event.

Event organizers hoped the party would show local students that alcohol and 
drugs are not necessary to have fun. They seemed to succeed with Alex 
Saletin. The 16-year-old Barrington resident had a good time while wearing 
a pair of plastic "fatal vision" goggles.

"Agh," Ms. Saletin said. Her feet were five inches away from a white tape 
line she had been trying to walk. "Those goggles make it impossible, they 
make you dizzy. I thought I would fall over."

While wearing the goggles, Ms. Saletin experienced what it would feel like 
to fail a sobriety test. The goggles simulate vision after two to three 
drinks, as part of an activity sponsored by Amica Insurance at Saturday's 
event.

In addition to testing the effects of alcohol on their reflexes, students 
at Saturday's beach party were treated to live music, free pizza and hot 
dogs, and volleyball, Frisbee and soccer -- all under a vibrant sunset.

High school junior Steve Tetreault, 15, said he came to the beach party 
Saturday night for the music. Local bands Midnight Sun and Line of Fire and 
played the event.

"I came just to listen to them play," Mr. Tetreault said, as he watched 
Midnight Sun perform. "I support the party, too. It's a positive message 
and it lets people experience music in the community."

Musician Ben Glatter, 16, said that the event gave him and his band, Line 
of Fire, a chance to play for their friends and support the event at the 
same time.

"We thought it would be fun," Mr. Glatter said.

Barrington High School students Matt Howe, Joel Park and Gene McKeown, all 
14-years-old, came to the party Saturday night to benefit their stomachs.

"I support the event," Mr. Howe said. "But most of all I support the free 
food."

The freshmen wolfed down popcorn while taking in a game of volleyball being 
played on sand nearby.

A message, without the bottle

The Barrington Substance Abuse Task Force, spearheaded by coordinator Kathy 
Sullivan, teamed with Barrington Police Chief John LaCross, students, 
parents, public safety employees and town officials to organize Saturday 
night's event.

According to Ms. Sullivan, the network of organizers planned the party with 
the intention of educating students and changing attitudes about alcohol 
and drug use.

"The event is just to promote the idea that kids can use the beach, and 
have fun and not use alcohol," she said.

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) member and student organizer 
Kaitlin Annunziata, 15, got involved with the event because she thought it 
would have a positive affect on students her age.

"We got involved in the event for all of the youth," she said. "We wanted 
to get something fun going, and give kids an alternative to regular parties."

Ms. Nunes was more than willing to help emphasize the dangerous results 
from some alternative behavior.

"You see, the air we breathe and the life inside of us right now can be 
taken away in an instant," Ms. Nunes said. "I hope this gathering here 
tonight reminds us of how precious our existence really is. Please be careful."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager