Underage drinking topic of forum

The workshop, to be held May 16 at the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad, will focus on developing an action plan for the community.

By: Mae Rhine
   In one month, 68 percent of juniors and seniors, 43 percent of ninth- and 10th-graders and 17 percent of seventh- and eighth-graders at South Hunterdon Regional High School used alcohol.
   That’s according to the results of the American Drug and Alcohol Survey given recently to students. Of the 333 students at South, 240 children, or 72 percent, filled out the forms.
   The survey was sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Behavioral Science Institute in Colorado. South’s responses were on par with the rest of the schools in Hunterdon, but higher than the national average, according to Superintendent Lisa Brady. The survey also asked about the use of other drugs and cigarettes as well as their attitudes toward the risk of using them.
   About 10 years ago, the problem was just as bad, according to Ms. Brady. School officials became alarmed then and vowed to work on the problem.
   Ideas were exchanged, then action taken, including a Safe Homes program in which parents sign forms agreeing not to serve alcohol to students, the formation of a SADD chapter and the hiring six years ago of Margaret Christofely, a student assistance counselor.
   So why haven’t these things worked?
   "We’re doing our job," Ms. Brady insisted.
   But, according to the recent survey, 37 percent of the seniors used alcohol at home, and their parents knew about it, she said. The same is true for 31 percent of ninth- and 10th-graders and 18 percent of seventh- and eighth-graders.
   And it’s this adult "tacit approval of underage drinking" that is the problem, Ms. Brady said.
   "Then what we do as far as prevention and curriculum is a moot point," she said. "When our kids go home, and the parents have a little champagne party in the basement before the prom, we’re banging our heads against the wall."
   Getting parents as well as students to take the problem of underage drinking more seriously is the gist of a forum, "Start Talking Before They Start Drinking," to be held Tuesday, May 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad on Alexander Avenue. Appetizers will be served, then the seminar will begin at 6 p.m. and be led by Ms. Brady.
   Panelists include Ms. Brady, Ms. Christofely and three law enforcement officials, Lambertville Police Director Bruce Cocuzza, West Amwell Patrolman Dennis Kelly Kendig and former state police Detective James Conover.
   Ms. Brady said, "Parents think if they are controlling the situation, then that’s OK. That’s a mixed message and a challenge for all of us."
   Ms. Christofely added, "When I see a student, it’s at the problem level."
   Students come to see her on their own or they are referred by parents, teachers or other students, she said.
   "It starts as young as middle school," she said. "It may start earlier."
   Ms. Brady added, "We all know this is around. There’s no surprises there."
   Students at risk are primarily those with a family background of alcoholism.
   Those students are "more at risk like any other disease; they’re more prone to that," Ms. Christofely said.
   But they’re not the only ones in danger of developing a problem with alcohol, she pointed out.
   "We’re (society) very casual about underage drinking," Ms. Christofely said. "It’s very acceptable. Parents may say, ‘At least they don’t do drugs; we know where they are; we take away the car keys.’"
   Parents should be aware of the typical warning signs, the same symptoms that also could mean a drug or psychological problem — students whose "grades are dropping, coming to school tired, missing Mondays a lot, very cranky and aggressive."
   But if school officials think there’s a problem, they don’t diagnose, she said.
   "We refer them to professionals," she said.
   Parents are the ones who must follow through, making sure students get the help they need.
   The only time schools have any leverage is if a student is found drinking at the school. Then they are required to go for an evaluation, Ms. Christofely said.
   But, again, parents must be vigilant and make sure their children are getting the help they need, she said.
   That’s the reason behind the forum.
   "That’s it in a nutshell; to open the eyes of parents," she said. "Ultimately, it’s up to the parents."
   Ms. Christofely warned that the younger children start drinking, the more prone they are to becoming addicted.
   "What’s alarming is the statistic that 3 percent of our children drink between 7 and 9 years old," said Patty McDonnell, coordinator of the South County Municipal Alliance, who also works for Hunterdon Drug Awareness in Flemington. "And 10 percent report they first use alcohol between 10 and 12 years old."
   That’s why it’s also important parents of grade school children attend the seminar.
   Ms. Brady, Ms. Christofely and Ms. McDonnell said they hope the seminar will result in an action plan by community leaders and parents on how best to deal with the problem of underage drinking.
   "We want a commitment (from parents) to say underage drinking is not a good thing; these are the ways I can prevent it in my home; ways I am going to combat underage drinking," Ms. Christofely said.
   Ms. McDonnell added, "For adults, alcohol is a legal substance, and that’s why they are more accepting" of their children’s use of it. "But what the lay person doesn’t realize is it’s one of the most damaging overall."
   Ms. Christofely said, "We can educate and strategize, develop prevention programs, provide lots of education and policies to enforce our issues, but that’s as far as we can go."
   Parents and school officials need to realize getting students help is "not a form of punishment," she added.
   "It’s not about that," she said. "It’s about getting them the help they need to be successful adults."