Last Updated: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 2:42 PM CDT
Education campaign focuses on underage drinking
by Meredyth Albright - Daily News Editor - malbright@rhinelanderdailynews.com
Attempting to reduce the incidence of alcohol use in general, those working toward a Healthy Oneida County have developed an informational campaign directed at parents of underage youth.
Named “Parents who host lose the Most” the campaign warns parents of the legal ramification of serving alcohol to teenagers.
With prom season fast approaching, the Healthy People, Healthy Oneida County AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) Work group hosted a press conference Monday explaining the consequence of excessive alcohol consumption.
“Teens view prom as an adult celebration. In their minds alcohol and celebrations go hand in hand.” said Linda Conlon, director of the Oneida County Healthy Department.
“Some parents think that by serving alcohol in the home, rather than kids going elsewhere to drink are doing a good thing, but they're not,” Conlon said, adding that Wisconsin has a higher prevalence of underage drinking than most states.
“Those who allow teens to drink take a huge liability risk,” said Conlon.
That includes the possibility of a citation for providing alcohol to a minor and to not being covered by homeowner's insurance if there is an accident.
“Hosting parties where alcohol is served to minors, because it is an illegal activity, will most likely not be covered by a standard insurance policy,” said David Schmitz of Northland Insurance.
Assistant District Attorney, Steve Michlig, said people often talk to him with concern about the dangerous drugs in our community.
“The dangerous drug in our community is alcohol,” said Michlig, adding that about 75 to 80 percent of all people arrested are drunk.
Bob Heideman, a guidance counselor at Rhinelander High School, urges parents to not be a party to teenage drinking.
While the schools work to provide educational information about alcohol consumption, he said it doesn't work if schools do things in isolation. “”It's not effective if parents promote underage drinking,” said Heideman.
“The answer is to teach our children not to use it (alcohol) at all,” said Michlig.
To reinforce the message, Mayor DIck Johns proclaimed Monday as “Parents who Host, Lose the Most: Don't be a party to teenage drinking” Day.
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