Click image to go to www.stopalcoholabuse.gov

"Childhood Drinking...That's right, Childhood Drinking. Children as young as nine are experimenting with alcohol, and not just 'sips'."

Click here to access the "Check for 21 Too" pledge form - parents are asked to sign a pledge that they will not serve alcohol at teen parties.

Childhood Drinking...

There's a new term in town and it's "Childhood Drinking". That's right, Childhood Drinking. Children as young as nine are experimenting with alcohol, and not just "sips". In order to address this growing problem, the Center for Prevention joined agencies all over the country hosting a town hall meeting on March 28th. In addition, there have been many more meetings in Sussex County including the towns of Montague, Franklin/Hardyston, Vernon, Hamburg, Ogdensburg, Sparta, Hampton, Newton, Hopatcong and Netcong.

Caring people from all of these communities came together to collaborate and brainstorm ideas for reducing the trend and providing young people with safe alternatives. These meetings were true collaborative efforts and were wonderful events to attend. Most had a panel of local teens providing honest "in-the-trenches" impressions of their classmates' attitudes and social norms. Adults were amazed, enlightened and impressed with the fact that these students don't drink while so many of their peers do. Some of the commonalties uncovered included:

• It's the number one drug of choice
• It's socially acceptable, promoted by media, and easily available, even permitted by some parents; many families wouldn't think of entertaining without alcohol
• Kids drink more aggressively, downing far too much too quickly (for example the "game" where you down 21 shots to celebrate 21 years)
• Kids feel "There's nothing else to do"; not enough teen activities
• The panels felt the national estimates of underage drinking were too low both in middle school and high school

As a result, some towns have already put plans in place to give kids healthy alternatives. The schools and recreation department in Montague have already begun Teen Nights. Newton High School Peer Leaders are working with the First Presbyterian Church to do the same. Many towns are considering sharing a space used by other civic groups (i.e., senior groups) or schools after-hours to offer "clubs" for varied interests (music, drama, art, math, science, chess, etc.)

The Center has also formed an Underage Drinking Task Force with members from these communities. Some of their goals include "keg registration", passing the Underage Drinking Ordinance in towns without it, producing public service announcements, and utilizing the national media campaign "Start Talking Before They Start Drinking" from www.stopalcoholabuse.gov

For more information, call Becky or Jane at the Center for Prevention & Counseling, 61 Spring Street, Newton, NJ, 973-383-4787.