THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008
A Disturbing Trend
Numbers Show More and More Local Teens Drinking
By TODD WESSELL
Journal & Topics Editor
For most parents of local teenagers who drink liquor, they know all too well that their kids may be heading down a slippery slope toward disaster.
As the consumption of alcohol by youths increases so do the chances of engaging in other questionable behavior such as the use of cocaine and heroin and risky sexual behavior. That's a problem that not only affects the user, but family members, friends, neighbors and the entire community.
To Des Plaines resident Margaret Polovchak, director of Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation (MCYAF), alcohol use and abuse by local teens has always been an issue. Now, recent evidence shows that the problem is becoming worse.
"A disturbing trend has surfaced," said Polovchak this week. "Drinking is increasing again. Local statistics show that half of the 12th graders are drinking regularly, which means at least once every 30 days." She said the organization's surveys of alcohol consumption by Maine Township high school students are not conducted during spring break or holidays when drinking tends to increase, but during normal times of the year.
These recent trends along with the overall issue of underage drinking by local youths will be the subject of a town hall discussion on Tuesday, May 6 at Des Plaines City Hall at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend and hear local experts on the issue including Polovchak and Des Plaines Police Chief Jim Prandini. City Hall is located in the downtown area at 1420 Miner St.
"Drinking is not done by the majority of students when you look at the township overall," said Polovchak. But with the older youths such as 11th and 12th graders, the greater the numbers. It's becoming startling."
A panel of experts will discuss what underage drinking looks like in Des Plaines, dangers of the liquor industry's new alcoholic energy drinks that target youth, and alcohol and drug prevention and treatment options available to Des Plaines residents. Prandini will announce the launch of a new education campaign entitled, "Parents Who Have Lost The Most."
"As the weather gets warmer and we head into prom and graduation season, the incidence of alcohol and drug use tends to increase," said Prandini. "This is an opportunity for parents and all residents to learn what they can do to promote healthy choices by our youth and prevent unnecessary hardships for families."
Other experts who will speak include Mark Warpness, special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Marcia Vickman, manager of Substance Abuse Services of Maine Center that provides substance abuse treatment for teens and adults.
"Special Agent Warpness presents a message that all parents need to hear," said Polovchak. "He is a dynamic speaker, offers helpful tips for parents, especially those with middle school and high school age children, and provides first-hand knowledge about youth alcohol and drug use in our community."
A question and answer time will follow.
Among some of the noticeable problems associated with youth drinking is misuse of prescription drugs. Polovchak said even though a small percentage of the township's approximately 4,600 high school students drink liquor on a regular basis, "It's still too many kids in our community if you ask me. We really need to keep our fingers on this."