By Maria Riegel, Special Writer
South Brunswick High School will be re-establishing the alcohol prevention organization, Stop Underage Drinking Zone (SUDZ) by the fall of 2013, according to National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Middlesex County (NCADD) Coalition Coordinator Linda Surks.
”NCADD works with the community to prevent and educate others on prescription drug and alcohol abuse,” Ms. Surks said.
SUDZ was last part of SBHS in the fall of 2011 and was discontinued because the individual who was part of the South Brunswick Municipal Alliance left and there was no longer representation for the organization according to Ms. Surks.
Ms. Surks said that, a few weeks ago, she contacted SBHS’ Student Assistance Counselor Carol Lowinger to discuss strategies on how to re-implement SUDZ back into the high school.
Shortly after that, the pair, and Principal Peter Varela, had a meeting and compiled a list of strategies to educate the students on SUDZ and the dangers of underage drinking.
Ms. Surks said education materials such as brochures and bookmarks will be provided to both parents and students.
She also said that she would like to have a school assembly to address the dangers of alcohol and would like to have presentations in students’ health and driver’s education courses.
In addition, Ms. Said she would like to enhance the school’s website with information on alcohol and drug abuse and have stationary or mobile billboards in all of Middlesex County including South Brunswick.
Furthermore, Ms. Surks said she would like to hold a community event or a town hall meeting educating people about SUDZ.
”One of Mr. Varela’s ideas was to have students develop a public service announcement that could be aired on Viking Television Network and on the school’s website,” Ms. Surks said. “He also thinks it would be a good idea to engage existing student groups in educating the students such as National Honor Society and sports teams.”
Ms. Surks said that she would like to begin getting student groups involved in SUDZ prior to the end of the 2012-2013 school year.
Although Ms. Surks said it is important for the high school to teach the dangers of underage drinking and the abuse of prescription drugs, she said it is also important that parents speak to their children about the family’s policies regarding underage drinking and prescription drug abuse.
”Parents need to talk to their kids early and often and make their policies clear,” Ms. Surks said. “Parents need to understand the potential consequences of these behaviors.”
Ms. Surks said that parents do not know how dangerous underage drinking is for the brain. She said that the brain’s frontal lobe is the last to develop and is still developing until the child is in their early 20’s.
Ms. Surks said the frontal lobe controls coordination and decision making and alcohol stunts its growth. The damaging affects of alcohol on the frontal lobe are irreversible. Alcohol stunts the frontal lobe’s growth not allowing it to continue to develop.
In addition, Ms. Surks said that in a 2012 county-wide survey done by the NCADD, it was found that almost 50 percent of high school students reported that is fairly easy or easy to get alcohol.
She also said that in a 2010 survey, 32 percent of adults know other adults who allow underage drinking in their home.
Also, 32 percent of adults in the community reported they knew adults using prescription drugs. Ms. Surks said that “prescription drugs are the highest choice of drugs among teens.”
”It is important for parents to provide kids with coping skills,” Ms. Surks said. “Kids’ inability to cope with scenarios is why they turn to drinking. Parents need to let their kids know there are much healthier ways to cope.”
Ms. Surks said that the re-establishment of SUDZ will help the high school and parents make a difference in kids’ lives.

