The Waterville TOGETHER! for Drug Free Youth Community Coalition has had a presence in Waterville for over a decade. In an attempt to gain more student participation, the meeting time was moved from afternoon to during school hours. As a result high school, middle school, and elementary student leaders have joined together with administration, parents, and community leaders. This group meets to strategize ways to decrease and prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among youth in Waterville.
Last fall youth coalition members identified underage drinking as a problem in the Waterville community. Adult coalition members asked students how Waterville youth are obtaining alcohol. The response was troubling. They reported that access was easy and gave examples such as: taking alcohol from outdoor refrigerators, from the back of trucks parked in front of the tavern, and from home refrigerators. And most troubling, was that some adults knowingly provide alcohol to youth.
Think alcohol won’t damage your teen’s brain?
Think again!
· Youth who use alcohol before 15 are four times more likely to be alcohol dependent than adults whose first drink is at the legal age of 21
· Alcohol is linked to as many as two-thirds of all sexual assaults and date rapes of teens and college students.
· Studies reveal that alcohol consumption by adolescents results in brain damage – possibly permanent – and impairs intellectual development.
But there is good news! According to the 2008 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey:
· More than 70% of Douglas County 10th grade students who say their parents think underage drinking is very wrong have never tried alcohol.
· 70% of both 8th and 10th grade Chelan County students say that they could talk with their parents about a personal problem.
And finally….
71% of 13-17 year-olds say their parents are the leading influence in their decisions about whether they drink alcohol or not (2008 Roper Youth Report).
We would like to ask for the adult’s help. You can:
1. Not provide alcohol to youth knowingly or unknowingly
2. Report suspected underage drinking to the police
3. If you drink, model responsible alcohol consumption. For example: resist binge drinking, attend school events sober, and never drive after drinking.
4. Set clear rules that underage drinking in your family is wrong and harmful.
Waterville TOGETHER! For Drug Free Youth Community Coalition
