GAP Teen Council Challenges Community to Combat Teen Substance Abuse
By Rebecca Peter
Does our culture contribute to underage drinking? Do mixed messages lead to teen alcohol use? Members of the Garner Asset Project Teen Council challenged peers and parents to “take back” our culture that has been lost to drug and alcohol abuse.
An estimated 350 persons attended “Take it Back,” a community forum held March 17 at the Garner-Hayfield High School Auditorium.
Senior Adam O’Leary, a member of the GAP Teen Council, emceed the program.
“Take it back is a message you’ll hear over and over tonight,” O’Leary said. “We want you to take back our society that we’ve lost to drugs and alcohol over the years.”
Information presented at the meeting included the following:
•Alcohol is the primary contributor to the leading cause of adolescent deaths in the
United States, including car accidents and suicide.
•Between 12 and 20 percent of all alcohol consumed in the
U.S. is used by people under the age of 21.
•Over 95 percent of adults in the
U.S. who are alcohol dependent started drinking before they were 21 years of age.
A 2005 survey of 11th graders at Garner-Hayfield revealed that the average age of onset (youth drinking for the first time) is at about age 13.8 years. Thirty-two percent of all Garner-Hayfield 11th graders reported they have consumed alcohol in the last 30 days.
“If I asked you what was your son or daughter doing last Friday or Saturday night, would you be able to answer me? Would you be able to tell what they were doing or who they were with? If you can’t that’s the start of a problem,” O’Leary continued.
While underage drinking is a problem, Garner-Hayfield is not unique among
North Iowa schools that are wrestling with the issue.
“We’re taking this step and trying to ‘take it back.’ You see the statistics and hopefully next year we’ll see them decrease,” he said. “Our goal is to get your input on what we can do.”
Eric Williams, Youth Pastor of the Garner Evangelical Free Church, was the featured speaker for the evening.
“The easiest place for teenagers to get alcohol is from their parents’ house,” Williams stated. “Two-thirds of all kids say they get alcohol from their house without their parents knowing.
“The reality is our liquor cabinets and refrigerator are an open door to the kids in our community.”
Williams incorporated experiences from his youth into his talk. “We used to have a keg on tap 24/7 on the porch at my dad’s house. As years passed, I became more dependent on alcohol for a good time.”
Williams, who had track aspirations, had the opportunity to run for a college track team. “But I had no idea how to function as an athlete without alcohol.
“When you get to that level, alcohol becomes a real big issue because the people around you are training their bodies like machines.”
The cost of under age drinking in
Iowa is $582 million per year. “That averages to almost $2,000 per student. That includes medical care, work loss, pain and suffering and death,” said Williams, who lost his own brother in an alcohol-related accident.
“Almost 2,000 students die each year in alcohol-related incidents,” he continued. “If every graduating senior [from Garner-Hayfield] died, it would take 25 years to get to that number.”
“Are we willing to give up 25 years of students in our community so that we can have a good time?” he asked. “The decisions we make have long-term effects.”
“I want to challenge you to look at your life. And ask yourself are you on my path or my brother’s path? If you are, it’s never too late. Reach out to someone who can help you.”
He challenged parents, “To love them more than my parents loved me because providing alcohol does not show love and it’s not being cool. You need to be parents. Your students have enough friends already.”
“Parents, you do not know how much time you have left with your students. Teach them now to make wise decisions. Take back this generation.”
The evening included parent and student group discussions led by the GAP Teen Council. Teen Council members are: Jordan Adams, Ashley Anderson, Kristen Beecher, Michael Boehnke, Michael Brown, Lacie Eckert, Matt Haberkamp, Hillary Hayes, Sadie Hayes, Terrance Henley, Micah Howe, Mataya Huling, Danelle Kohlmeyer, Libby Kropp, Adam O’Leary, Mary Pistek, Amber Sankey, Katie Schmidt, Tanner Urich and Jenna Wellik.
The two questions covered by student led focus groups:
1. What is GAP doing that is working to reduce underage drinking?
The community said that media campaigns were working including ads, billboards, and the Teen Council's " Those Who Host Lose the Most" ads and magnets. Alternative activities for both high school and middle school were important. Followed by forums, such as the Town Hall Meetings, K-12 curriculums and the alcohol free graduation celebrations signs.
2. What More can be done to reduce underage drinking?
1. More alternative activities
2. Parental involvement - including keeping track of liquor at home, parents raising their expectations of their children and communicating to their children, and parents being good roles.
3. Increasing legal consequences for underage drinkers and providers.
4. Target younger students with the message and leadership, 6th -8th graders.
Quote:
Garner Asset Project would encourage the community to consider sponsoring an "Overtime" event for high school or middle school students. Church, civic, or parent groups could sponsor a monthly event or their choice. Last year's events included nacho bingo night, bands, Garner's Idol, scooter tag, and dodgeball tournaments. GAP's funding restrictions do not allow it to provide the financing for these evenings.
NOTE: April 4th, the presentation was given to 337 4th thru 8th graders and staff in the middle school gym.
