8
vernonia prevention coalition
march7
2013
The content on this page is provided by the Vernonia Prevention Coalition
Be a Piece of the Puzzle
Underage Drinking: It is About Who You Know
By DeAnna Pearl
Do you know what the
biggest risk factor for un-
derage drinking is? It’s
having a best friend who drinks. It turns
out that kids who have their first whole
drink (not just sips) before age 15 have a
four times higher risk of developing al-
coholism: Four times. Given how alco-
holism can devastate not only the life of
the alcoholic but the lives around them,
it’s really important that parents know
the risk factors: Not only social risk fac-
tors but the risk to the brain’s full devel-
opment.
The biggest risk factor is having
a best friend who drinks, which makes
sense. Peer pressure is huge for adoles-
cents. Most Vernonia 8th graders, 69%,
reported their peers would disapprove
of them drinking even a little. (Student
Wellness Survey, 2012)
However,
there’s also the matter of availability:
You have to be able to get the alcohol
to drink it, and having friends who drink
makes that more likely. In Vernonia,
there are 10 alcohol outlets and during
the summer several more during events
in a one square mile area.
Unfor-
tunately, youth report they get most of
their alcohol from older friends or older
siblings. What this means for parents is
that you need to know whom your kids
hang out with and where they hang out.
Now, it’s not always possible to
know everything about your kids’ friends
but you can ask questions. You can try to
make your house kid (teen)-friendly so
that they hang out there and you can get
to know them. This is not to be confused
with the attitude, “It’s OK for my kids
to drink with their friends if I am home.
It’s safer!” This is actually contributing
to a minor and very much illegal. While
you don’t have to be BFF’s with other
parents, it is important to know who they
are. You can get to know their parents
by introducing yourself at school
gatherings or when you drop off or
pick up your kid. The bottom line is
who your kid hangs out with matters.
There comes at a certain
point where a parent can’t dictate
your child’s friendships, of course.
But you can certainly try to steer
them toward activities, like sports,
out of school activities, clubs and
programs, where they will meet mo-
tivated kids who are less likely to
drink: Not that kids in sports don’t
drink or in band for that matter, but
getting kids involved generally helps
protect them against alcohol use.
FYI: According to 83-88% of 6 th ,
8 th and 11 th graders in VSD 47J, there
are lots of chances for students to get
involved in sports, clubs, and other
activities outside of class. (Student
Wellness Survey, 2012)
According to the Risk and
Protective Factor theory, youth
whom bond with peers whom have
healthy beliefs and clear standards are
less likely to be at risk for drug and al-
cohol abuse. It is imperative that these
programs have clear standards around
conduct and expectations. An even
greater contributing factor is a consis-
tent, safe, and positive volunteer and or
mentor that support program policy dur-
ing the times our children are participat-
ing in functions. How do we help assure
that the people whom our children come
into contact with have their best interest
at heart? We ask. Further, ask how the
program leaders enforce the policies for
both youth and adults participating in
whatever capacity.
There were two other big risk
factors for having that first whole drink
early. The first: having a family member
with high-risk drinking behavior. That
doesn’t necessarily mean alcoholism, al-
though alcoholism does run in families.
It means any unhealthy or risky drinking.
Risky drinking is defined as drinking at
levels that put a person at risk of medical
and or causes social problems. Drinking
too much too fast often times during so-
cial events and gatherings is risky drink-
ing. It is during these risky times that
we do things we wouldn’t normally due
such as fighting, property damage, and
driving under the influence.
The other factor to consider is
having a conduct problem or change in
normal behavior. While some behaviors
may indicate an alcohol or other drug
problem, some also reflect normal teen-
age growing pains. Experts believe that
a drinking problem is more likely if you
notice several of these signs at the same
time:
• Mood changes
• School problems
• Rebelling against family rules
• Switching friends
• Secretive about new friends
• A “nothing matters” attitude
• Finding alcohol in your child’s
room or backpack
• Smelling alcohol on his or her
breath
• Physical or mental problems
While it can be hard to know for
sure, certain behaviors can alert you to
the possibility of an alcohol problem. If
you think your child may be in trouble
with drinking, consider getting advice
from a health care professional special-
izing in alcohol problems before talk-
ing with your teen. Talk to your doctor
about resources in your community to
support your child — and you. Re-
member, no matter what age your chil-
dren, the first line of defense to reduce
use and abuse are parents. Your relation-
ship with your child can go a really long
way toward helping them not just now,
but in giving them the best future pos-
sible.
Some on-line resources are
www.theantidrug.com and http://www.
drugfree.org/Parent/.
Both provide up-to-date information
and services to help parents positively.
If you need more information, contact,
DeAnna Pearl, Vernonia Prevention Co-
alition, @ DeAnna@vernonia-or.gov or
(503) 369-7370.
Spencer Health and Wellness
School Based Health Center
is open to patients on
Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM
2012-2013 Vernonia Prevention Coalition Sector Representatives
Position
Name
Sector
Contact
Affiliation
Chair
Josette Mitchell
Government
(503) 429-4232
COV Mayor
Vice Chair
Pete Weisel
School
(503) 429-3521
VHS Councilor
Exec. Board
Dr. Ken Cox
Media
(503) 429-5891
VSD Superintendent
Exec. Board
Shawn Carnahan
Police
(503) 429-4232
COV Police
Board Member
Nic Welch
Faith
(503) 748-9193
Vernonia Comm. Church
Sector Member
Mark Brown
Faith
(503) 961-5281
Vernonia Comm. Church
Board Member
Breanne Mares
Prevention
(503) 396-7637
Col. County Mental Health
Board Member
Heidi Brown
Business
(503) 429-2787
Grey Dawn Gallery
Board Member
Gina Fields
Parent
(503) 429-6306
Parent Teacher Association
Board Member
Kathy Kelly
Youth Serving
(503) 369-7249
Vernonia Head Start
Board Member
Alexis Baska
Youth
(503) 429-3521
O.S.S.O.M.
Sector Member
Michal Bathurst
Youth
(503) 429-3521
O.S.S.O.M.
Board Member
George Tice
Civic Org.
(503) 880-1627
Lions Club
Board Member
Ashley Swanson
Health Serv.
(503) 396-2074
Public Health Foundation of
Columbia County
Heather Lewis
Contractor
(503) 429-4677
Resource Coordinator
VPC Mission:
To develop safe and healthy neighborhoods through collaborative planning, community action, policy advocacy
and enforcement.