JOHN DAY – Some say that most teens are going to drink, so why worry about it? The aim of a recent town hall forum was to dispel the notion that the status quo is OK.

The public gathered April 4 at the senior center to discuss underage drinking prevention, youth access to alcohol and the problems created when the two mix.

OSP Sergeant Gordon Larson, Safe Communities director, welcomed a group of more than 60, and Phil Gray was present to air a portion of the program on KJDY.

“The sky is not falling,” Larson said, but we can make improvements and stay ahead of the curve.

The movieKerryann Woomer, county prevention program coordinator, presented a movie, “This Place,” which said that whether pilfered or provided, the number one place that youth get their alcohol is at home; it kills more kids than drugs; there are more ads, drive-through liquor stores, alcohol that tastes sweet and celebrations that focus on alcohol that have created a user friendly environment. This has crept up on the adults, but to children it’s just here.

The movie said that the average for underage drinkers start is 12, but some start as young as 9 and 10. This takes a toll on their development, damaging the frontal lobe of the brain, and those that start before age 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholics.

The movie highlighted individuals who made a difference in their communities; there is hope, but it takes someone to start.

The panelA panel sat at the front of the room to discuss what they’ve seen and to answer questions.

T.R. Hilton, a local paramedic, said, “Every weekend, every night, there’s a party.”

Kids crash trying to get home from these parties, drunk, hung over or tired. He’s seen them left paraplegic, quadriplegic and dead.

Crish Lydon, head teacher at the Grant County Alternative Education Center, said that on Monday mornings she’s found students “not awake, not on task.”

The partying and the trauma in their families over the weekend affects their education.

She said she’s seen great success with students who have mentors, support people. In contrast, she’s also seen those in unstable homes, some in poverty situations, with no mentor who are insecure and with that she sees an openness to drinking early.

Alex Comacho, a student of Lydon’s, was also on the panel. He recently returned from Rimrock, a rehabilitation center in Prineville. He said that he grew up around drugs and alcohol and that it’s simple to find an older friend to buy for you. He said that he used to get MIPs (minor in possession) every month. You just “stop caring about what happens to you,” he said.

He’s now going to meetings (like AA) and is trying to stay out of trouble, he said.

Joe Boyer, a drug and alcohol counselor at Grant County Center for Human Development, said “It’s everybody’s problem.”

He said that he has worked with inpatients who started drinking in their teens who are now in their 30s, 40s, and 50s coming back to see him for the third or fourth time.

Everybody has to work together, he said, we can’t just say, let’s send them to the treatment center.

Charlie Caughlin, reserve police office, firefighter and chiropractor, said that you can throw out all the statistics you want – if they want to drink they are going to do it. He said the message needs to come from the parents. Help them, pray for them and be more proactive, he said.

Questions and commentsAfter the introduction, the floor was open for questions and comments.

It was brought up by more than one person that the problem with minors drinking is not just at the alternative school, it’s all the schools.

District Attorney Christie Timko asked how parents can bring the subject up to kids.

Hilton said that you shouldn’t be afraid to offend your child, ask questions, and remember that they mimic what you do.

“As a teacher, I have no problem with being unpopular,” said Lydon in her office the next day. “I’d rather be unpopular than enable someone to continue their harmful choices.”

Woomer said, “Start talking early and talking a lot.”

Debi Hueckman, Safe Communities coordinator, said that it’s important to talk with the parents of your child’s friends to know what the children doing.

Sometimes a child might say they are going to a sleep over or other activity when they are actually going out to a drinking party.

One person said that being a parent is the hardest thing they’ve ever done. One night their child threw a three-hour fit because they weren’t allowed to go out. The parent said, “The bigger the fit, the bigger the party.” It’s important to follow through, they said.

Carol Kilpatrick suggested that it could be useful for teens, like the one on the panel, to share their stories with other teens.

Nick Sheedy asked why do they drink? He mentioned that he had four friends who died as a result of alcohol overdose.

Larson said, kids drink and use drugs to feel good, but it’s only for a season. He said they also do it for the social atmosphere.

Another commented that they do it as an escape.

Trace Andrew of the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles, stood to ask, “How many MIPs do they need to get to lose their license?” She said that they need to be slapped just a little bit harder.

She later said, “Teens think it is a joke. Nothing happens.”

She’s been touched personally by the pain that can result from underage drinking. In 1995, the son of her best girlfriend died funneling everclear, she said. She feels that if minors receive a stiffer punishment the for the first MIP that they may be less likely to repeat the offense.

There are young people making changes in their lives and many are avoiding the pitfalls of underage drinking altogether. Also, there are activities designed to give minors healthy alternatives to drinking.

There are successes. Larson reiterated, “The sky’s not falling.”

“The after-prom party’s a blast,” said teen, Amy Hoppe. She also said that she enjoys going to Young Life, where teens meet for fun activities (info: Rhonda, 575-2033).

There are other programs such as Friday Academy for middle-school students (info: Teri, 575-0110); PEP club (People Encouraging Prevention) and Jr. PEP (info: Kerryann, 575-4068); and Her-oes and He-roes (info: Elaine, 575-1006).

The public is invited to the next Safe Communities meeting at the Outpost restaurant from 4-5:30 p.m. April 19.