Troubled Teens Resources

Sometimes parents don’t know where to turn. Teen age drug abuse, binge drinking, steroids, violence, internet addiction. Raising teenagers anymore is like going to war. And now some towns and school districts are taking the war directly to the parents, demanding that they do their part.

“Underage drinking is not new, but school districts seem to be talking about it more, while enforcing tough policies that often require year-round compliance. Still, the parties continue.
[…]
The Lake Shore School District last year started requiring parents to attend a mandatory session on drug and alcohol awareness before their children can attend school dances.

“They all go in with a little angst, as in ‘Why do I have to be here?’…“They come away with a tremendous amount of knowledge and the understanding of how important it is to fight this.”

And for a good many student athletes in this Buffalo community, the season is over. It sounds like the schools and police have a great deal more educating to do before teens at risk are going to get the message.

“More than three dozen high school students — most of them athletes — are serving suspensions this week for drinking alcohol during parties in at least three different incidents in Erie County last weekend.

On Grand Island, a birthday party last Saturday got out of hand, attracting at least 70 teenagers.

The same night, 34 underage drinkers were at a house party in Evans.

And in Sloan, eight students showed up drunk to the homecoming dance.

School administrators spent the week interviewing students, talking to parents, and meting out the punishment required by codes of conduct. For some of the athletes, the sports season is over.”
(source)

Teen crisis intervention in the form of more stringent penalties for the adults who supply underage teenagers with alcohol is the result of one set of parents’ anguish over the death of their son.

“Last year a tragic automobile accident took the lives of four Wakefield High School students: Baker Wood, Steven George, Anthony Bostic, and Timothy Steinberg. According to authorities, Wood was driving 100 miles per hour when the car that the teens were riding in slammed into a concrete barrier on the US 64/264 ramp of the Raleigh beltline, then jumped the barrier and fell to a fiery crash 60 feet below. Alcohol was a factor in the accident. Wood’s blood alcohol level was 0.21; George’s was 0.14.”

Not one of those teenagers had a chance. Teen help is all for naught - all of the warnings and admonishment that parents give their kids are all undone by one set of parents who think they are smart or “cool” by allowing their underage teens to drink. Now in North Carolina those parents are going to pay the price for their irresponsibility.

“Working closely with Rep. Ty Harrell (D-Wake), the Georges have vigorously pushed for the passage of HB 1277 – Drivers License Revocation for ABC Violation. The measure would suspend the driver’s license up to one year of anyone of age providing booze for underage drinkers.

“Many people don’t understand that the most common source of alcohol for minors is the home,” said Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. “Parents are under the assumption that if they allow parties where alcohol is served either in their house or backyard, youngsters will be safe. But the fact is if they serve alcohol to someone under 21 they are breaking the law and putting teens at risk. Laws that would really make these adults accountable are essential,” he said.”

(Source)