Community Shares Concerns About Underage Drinking

Nearly 100 people came out Thursday night to listen and share ideas about underage drinking. 

The forum, which took place at , began with a presentation by Maria Coutant Skinner and Kevin Pettit of The McCall Foundation, a prevention and treatment organization in Torrington.

“Every community has problems with drugs and alcohol,” Skinner said at one point in the evening. “How do we best prepare our kids for these situations? Prevention is the best way.”

The two talked about many topics, including the culture of underage drinking, common attitudes among adolescents and parents, how laws and enforcement can help, music and shows that glorify drinking and drugs, alcohol’s affect on the developing brain, strategies to change behavior and culture and resources for parents. (The foundation has graciously shared that presentation with Patch and it is attached to this story).

As the two talked about the issue, they acknowledged that it is an uphill battle. Drinking is often considered a rite of passage or safe if done in a controlled situation. Kids sometimes see friends and family abuse it. They also pointed to television shows like “Jersey Shore” and pop songs that glorify substance abuse.

“We’re up against a whole culture here,” Pettit said.

Skinner showed slides that detailed just how much the brain is still developing at a young age, contributing the teen’s intense feelings, both good and bad. She then showed a slide that detailed research about first drinking experiences and the risk of alcoholism — 50 percent if done at 13 or younger to 9 percent if they wait until age 21.

Pettit talked about society’s feelings that underage drinking is not much of a problem and little can be done.

It’s not easy, he said, but also pointed to attitudes about cigarette use and seat belts to show that culture can change through the use of laws and enforcement, media campaigns, industry cooperation and sustained prevention techniques.

While smoking is still a problem, it is not celebrated, advertised and encouraged like it once was, he added, giving numerous examples.  

Even good kids will make bad decisions, Skinner said, as she talked about things parents can do. For example, parents should not be fearful of asking their kids where they are going and checking their stories with other parents. (see more tips in the attached .pdf file)

The night also included comments from parents, educators and some town officials.

Some talked about the Super Bowl weekend underage drinking incidents, including a large freshmen party that has the issue fresh in people’s minds. Many reiterated once again that little was done even though the party was common knowledge among many in town.  

Residents talked about the reluctance of students and parents to speak up. Community of Concern, the local agency that sponsored the talk, reminded people that anonymous calls can be made to the police department at 860-693-0221.

Skinner said her line of work has included attending funerals for young people who fall victim to drugs and alcohol. Speaking out is worth the effort and any embarrassment, she said.

“The risk I take socially is nothing compared to the devastation that can happen,” she said.

Other parents talked frankly about the problems with drugs and alcohol, in some cases with their own kids. Topics ranged from the sources of the substance, preventing it and attitudes. Some also criticized police for not taking more action about known drug dealers or parties but others quickly stepped up and praised police chief Christopher Arciero, who they said has been responsive to problems and is a member of the community of concern, which sponsored Thursday’s presentation and others. The group also runs a teen center for high school students and is adding a night for middle schoolers.

First Selectman Richard Barlow also urged anyone to contact him when they felt things were not getting the attention they deserved.

Pettit also talked of many factors in a community. Police can sometimes face resource challenges, he said. Breaking up a large party with an officer or two, for example, can result in kids quickly dispersing and driving or worse. In one town, a kid swam across the Housatonic River at night, he said.

He also said underage compliance checks in other towns revealed that many package store owners will sell to minors.

But there are techniques that can help communities, he said. For example, the incidence of stores selling to minors goes way down with sustained checks, he said.

Of course, kids often find older siblings or others willing to get them alcohol.

“If they’re determined to drink they’re going to find a way,” one participant said. “There’s no easy answers.”

Still, many said it’s more than worth the effort. Skinner said among those who do drink, binge drinking is often the norm and recent deaths in nearby towns have further brought the issue home.

Parents also offered some practical suggestions such as putting out index-card-sized tips to teach kids how to respond in pressured situations.

Many don’t want to drink but feel it’s the norm. Younger kids can even feel pressured when they have a false sense that everyone else is doing it when statistics show drinking rates among freshmen and sophomores are lower than many kids think, Skinner said.

The school system also has an active prevention program with the foundation, but administrators said the next step will be a student presentation to help get the youths’ perspective on the issue.

And parents need to keep taking action and keep the issue in the forefront, one father said.

"It's up to us to step up and communicate with each other and get pissed and come to these meetings and do something about it," the man said.