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"Every Friday and Saturday night, I worry about it," he said. "When you're connected with youth, it's at the back of your mind."

While underage alcohol use isn't a known problem at Saratoga Central Catholic, Mr. Lombard said that underage drinking is a concern for any high school administrator.

According to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), 79 percent of high school seniors in the state have used alcohol; 31 percent report binge drinking - having five or more consecutive drinks - and 67,000 eighth graders report binge drinking.

To amass the data, the New York State Youth Development Survey spoke with more than 100,000 youth statewide.

Sarah Philyaw, prevention coordinator for the Albany diocesan Catholic Schools Office, has worked with students from Saratoga Central Catholic on forming a "Positive Edge" group. Positive Edge helps youth develop skills to help them resist risky behaviors.


Accidental deaths
The group recently hosted a "Grim Reaper day." Often held before a school's prom, a Grim Reaper day highlights the dangers of alcohol use: Teens are chosen to "die" (by becoming silent or wearing indicators) due to an alcohol-related incident. Students hear real stories of people who died in an alcohol-related accident.

While young people influence their peers, Ms. Philyaw said that parents still are a major force in preventing underage drinking. According to the OASAS survey, teens who hear anti-substance use messages at home are 42 percent less likely to use alcohol or drugs.

For parents, Ms. Philyaw said, "when you host a party for teens, make sure it's without alcohol. Be a chaperone and make sure no one is bringing it in. It's illegal to give alcohol to a child in your home."

Parents can also let teens know that they can call or text for help if they need it, she said. Often, by the time teens realize they're in a risky situation, they're too afraid to ask a parent for help.

Illegal idea
Cathy Golas, director of prevention services for the Catholic Schools Office, said it's important for adults to know there are legal ramifications for hosting underage parties.

Often, parents think drinking at parties is inevitable and that if they host the party, they can keep the teens safe, but an adult can face both a fine and jail time for serving minors.

Adults can also face charges from any traffic-related accident that stems from alcohol consumed at their home; for any injury that is the result of a fight or an accident after alcohol consumption; or if someone becomes sick or overdoses on a substance.

While parents may think taking away car keys while children drink mitigates the danger, Ms. Golas said there are other dangers to be concerned about in addition to drunk driving.

"Binge drinking is very dangerous," she said. Young people "can asphyxiate and they are more at risk to be assaulted after binge drinking."

Ms. Golas said the trend of renting hotel rooms or other spaces for after-prom parties for teens is not a good idea, either.

She said parents should practice common sense: Know where teens are going and call the party's host to find out if alcohol is being served; chaperone parties at home; monitor the alcohol in the home.

Often, Ms. Golas said, parents will discover the beer or wine they thought they bought for a party is missing. Ms. Golas said some parents will think they were mistaken about the quantities they bought rather than realizing their teen has taken it.

In addition to encouraging parents to be vigilant, Mr. Lombard said the staff at Saratoga Central Catholic is also attentive. When they chaperoned the recent prom, chaperones interacted with the teens.

Mr. Lombard also said that, once at the prom, students can't leave early unless a parent picks them up. This reduces the chances of teens going out and drinking and coming back.

"When they come to the prom, they're there for the duration of the prom," the principal said.

(06/03/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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