The Portland Press Herald / The Maine Sunday Telegram

March 11

Risky teen season is here, but stats show less drinking

DAVID HENCH

— By

Staff Writer

A group that is working to reduce drinking by teenagers this prom season is seizing on recent evidence showing that the number of teenagers using alcohol is on the decline.

The group 21 Reasons, a coalition that is working toward the drug-free development of teenagers, has begun a campaign this spring to promote safe behavior by youngsters, primarily by helping them avoid alcohol.

''There's still teen drinking out there,'' said Jo Morrissey, the group's assistant project director. ''We just need to expand our reach to involve as many community members as possible.''

The Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey shows that the number of Portland teenagers saying they drank alcohol in the 30 days before the survey dropped from 36 percent in 2007 to 29 percent in 2008.

Statewide and Cumberland County numbers showed similar declines, Morrissey said.

That gave rise to 21 Reasons' prom campaign, ''Wow, Times Have Changed!'' The campaign includes handout cards showing a bushy-haired young man in a dated tuxedo and bow tie along with encouragement for parents to enforce rules and check with party hosts to be sure alcohol is not being served.

The cards are being distributed with corsages, boutonnieres and tuxedos.

The campaign also features a YouTube video by former Attorney General Steve Rowe explaining the dangers of underage drinking and the importance of involvement by parents and other community members to keep teens safe.

The video is probably not the most hip clip on the site, but in fairness, parents are its target.

High school proms started last weekend, and a handful are set for this weekend, including Deering and Greely high schools and North Yarmouth Academy.

Deering High Principal Ken Kunin said that he's seen the attitudes of parents evolve over the years.

''I think more parents are sort of checking up with their kids and making it clear they don't think it's OK,'' Kunin said. ''The stats have been clear over the past number of years, that when parents are saying it's not OK, when stores make it hard to purchase, that does not eliminate consumption, but it reduces consumption.''

Kunin said the schools take their own steps to reduce drinking, including education, random Breathalyzer tests at the prom and work with parents to shut down after-prom parties that include alcohol.

Morrissey said one thing the group is working to counteract is the decision by parents to let youths drink in a home to prevent them from driving.

One-third of alcohol-related teen fatalities are from car crashes; the rest are related to falls, drowning, suicide and alcohol poisoning, she said. Alcohol use among young people also increases the risk of unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, assault and poor academic performance, she said.

Other survey results show that although parents are more involved in making sure their children don't have access to alcohol, just 4 percent surveyed said they believed their children were drinking -- even though 28 percent of the kids said they were.

''In a roomful of 100 kids, there are 24 kids where their parents don't have a clue,'' Morrissey said. ''It shows there is more work to do.''

The group is leveraging the results of the survey to thank businesses such as limousine services and hotel operators for their help making sure teenagers stay safe, and to remain vigilant this prom season.

Staff Writer David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at:

dhench@pressherald.com