Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers

Al-Anon / Alateen

2010-07-07T14:40:00.001-04:00

"I felt victimized by the alcoholics I lived with while growing up, and I carried that attitude into my adult life. I took pains to appear mature, successful, grown up and in charge. Inside, however, I felt like a scared little kid who was completely out of control. I continued to feel and act like a perpetual victim -- fearful, reactive, and unable to cope. My fear became even more intense when I learned that my son was an alcoholic. Fortunately when he sought recovery, I found Al-Anon.

In Al-Anon I learned that I have choices. I don't need to be a helpless, hopeless victim. Instead, I can take responsibility for myself each moment through the choices I make. I can attend a meeting, call someone in the program, ask for guidance, pray, and work my program.

It isn't always easy. Sometimes I need to ask God to grant me courage to ask for help rather than to wallow in self-pity and fear. I can ask myself what I need and then do whatever is necessary to get my needs met. I don't have to worry about what everyone else is doing; they have their own Higher Power who cares for them. I can ask for courage to change the things I can and for serenity to accept the things I can't. Reminding myself that I always have choices gives me hope and courage to leave fear and passivity behind. i am always held in the care of my Higher Power, who gives me security and inspiration to act boldly by changing the one thing I can -- myself." -- Hope For Today

Please visit www.ncbermudaafg.org for more information.

Fall Meeting Notes 2009

2009-11-22T18:47:00.007-05:00

Stephanie Willis, CHCCS, spoke about the results of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The results were gathered using a different platform or on-line version, therefore, an exact comparison with the old results would be invalid. However, because of "Social Norming" efforts most teens are "NOT doing it". She was glad to see the "Talk it up, Lock it up" campaign getting underway and more attention. The YRBS and CHHS local survey results show that most kids are getting their alcohol and drugs from within their own homes. The "Talk it up, Lock it up" program asks parents to take active measures to deny access to alcohol and drugs. "Positive Behavior Support" gets the message out that kids are not using as part of Social Norming. Also mentioned was how helpful forums like the 5th Annual PTSA Parent Forum: Should We Drink With Our Kids?. Stephanie Willis then introduced Stephanie Mozokewen(sp?) who spoke about the prevention programs in both the High School and the Middle Schools, Susbstance Abuse Prevention and usage perceptions. The Safe-Homes network will be adding the Middle Schools in order to get more Parents to make "The Pledge". CHPD, local business and organizations teamed up to keep drugs and alcohol locked up. They collected 36lbs of pills and 40lbs of liquid. Also, "Operation: Medicine Cabinet". The CADFT hopes Parents will work with Lowe's, or other home improvement centers, to find more creative ways to secure drugs and alcohol in their homes. Questions were fielded about how to better advertise or market the "Talk it up, Lock it up". Also, using Sentury Safe was suggested.

Chapel Hill Police Lt. Pat Burns reported that the Alcohol Response Team now has 26 trained officers. The response team consists of officers from both Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police Departments who are specially trained. They patrolled all of the UNC football games to enforce the Open Container Law. Meetings were held in Aug and Oct with all local departments, including Campus police, to review compliance's and monitoring (e.g. keg control, issuing violations and recurring situations). Another officer training is expected in Jan. He spoke about the ALERT Team and their success. THERE IS AN ANONYMOUS TIPLINE for citizens who want to express their concerns and/or report situations.

The Carpe Diem Group from UNC was represented by Dean Blackburn, Assistant Dean of Students, Community Relations. He talked about the surveys for incoming students and the wrong perception of UNC being a party school. He explained that there is an increase in the alcohol use in Chapel Hill, however, it seems to follow a trend that fluctuates every 4 to 5 years. He discussed some of the results as to: Where do the students think the alcohol is? Sororities and Fraternities. Where do they get alcohol? Off-campus locations. Read more on the Alchohol education classes here. Dean thanked the officers and other resources for their involvement.
Eric Smith from Campus Health Services talked about the success of the Alcohol Education and Assessment Sessions.
Jenny Levering, Assistant Dean of Students, Fraternity & Sorority Life spoke about the students giving positive feedback on the Environmental Management Approach, Guiding Principles / Philosophy and Long Term Goals and Objectives of the Counseling and Wellness Services. More information on alcohol is located on Student Legal Services website.

At this juncture, Dale brought up the ad in the Daily Tar Heel about a Beer Pong Fund Raiser for Higher Education. This was deemed a faux pas, and was indeed in need of a Call to Action. Please advocate for no fund raising in bars by writing to Legislators or the Chancellor at UNC.

Judy Dingfelder from the Orange County ABC Board, spoke about there being less funds for Education and Training. Groups in need
will need to come forward to ask for Grants. The ABC Board is involved in Training ALE, detecting False I.D.'s using scanners and has a Zero Tolerance policy for sales to minors. She also noted that privatization would cause a loss of controls as well as losing the opportunity to educate our law enforcement personnel.

Jason Jacobs from Youth Villages spoke about how they are working with families with Multistemic Therapy, increased parent supervision and Behavioral Issues. He reported high success rates.

Michael Eisen, NC Dept of MHDDSAS, covered the statewide issues. He mentioned the effectivness of the environmental management strategies. He stated that the ABC would need support in retaining the ABC stores and that privatization would be a great loss of control. He talked about Verla Insco being the primary sponsor for H1579 to Increase Alcohol Taxes and DRH80378 and how these bills need our support. He feels that a Multi-tiered approach is the best way to make a difference.

Thomas McQuiston was the spokesperson for the Parents Helping Parents. He spoke about the passing of his son in Oct of 2008, a memorial fund and a scholarship that may come from it. Contributions can be made by a check payable to the Matthew McQuiston Memorial Fund and sent to 117 Balsam Court, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

Steve Cory announced that an Alateen meeting was forming at 8:00pm on Monday evenings in Durham at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church. The list of meetings is on-line at www.alanonalateen6nc.org/meeting-schedule/meeting-sch.htm

T-Shirts were made available from the North Carolina Preventing Underage Drinking Initiative (NC-PUD).

Community Coalition Meeting

2009-10-26T17:56:00.000-04:00

The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
invites you attend our Fall lunch meeting on:
Thursday, November 19th at 12:00 noon to 1:30pm
This meeting is an opportunity to report out to the community about the many exciting and promising Coalition initiatives, as well as to hear from you as to concerns, celebrations or needs.

Please let me know if you or your agency would like to report out or make an announcement.

A complimentary lunch will be provided. Please kindly RSVP by Monday, November 16th if you plan to attend this meeting so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.

Location: Squid's Restaurant, 1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill, 942-8757 This meeting open to the public. Please forward this invite to others who might like to attend.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
www.CHCcoalition.org

Spring Meeting Notes 2009

2009-05-21T12:00:00.004-04:00

Keren Lewis talked about the 5th Annual PTSA Parent Forum: Should We Drink With Our Kids?. You can view this presentation on-line if you CLICK HERE. Melinda Pankratz spoke about the surveys having positive feedback and how effective this forum was.

Stephanie Willis, CHCCS, commended the presenters and organizers for all of the Parent Forums. Her office has received good feedback and calls for information. Two different Task Forces have been merged and new plans are in the works for more parent education programs. The NC ABC Board and Safe and Drug Free Schools continue to fund the alcohol awareness campaigns. Changes are expected because they are not getting through to every student. She feels that the Youth Risk Behavior Survey is being taken more seriously by the students. Plans are to increase the "Social Norming" efforts. Jackie Reid, the Student Assistance Counselor has been working with parents that are challanged with kids that are using. Student Resource Officers and representatives from both police departments have been meeting to keep consistency in the laws and rules shared between the schools. Policies may soon differ due to cuts in government funds, which could mean having to use outsourced programs for affected teens. One campus has seen an increase in violations which will require more surveillance. Pill usage is becoming a bigger problem. Dale spoke about launching a campaign to influence parents to lock up not only alcohol, but their drugs as well. Robin mentioned the "Operation: Medicine Cabinet". Stephanie continued about how laws need to be changed to curb the over perscribing of medications by doctors. The awareness efforts may have to be focusing more on the Middle Schools. Pam Diggs was mentioned for her involvement in the Tobacco Reality Unfiltered.

Colleen Hughes, Center for Prevention Resources spoke about the Unlimited Success program. She is currently working in prevention, stated that 20% of adolescents have tried prescription drugs and that overdoses are the second leading cause of teen deaths.

Billie J. Guthrie, Community Backyard talked about Reclaimimg Futures which is a six step model for changing the way we look at the juvenile justice system, getting teens to treatment and dealing with law violations. She also reviewed the many things the Community Backyard is involved in.

Chapel Hill Police Lt. Pat Burns reported that the Alcohol Response Team had attended a forum in Nashville that was very beneficial to all those that attended. The response team, which began in February 2009, consists of many officers from both Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police Departments who are trained and identified to be part of this task force. They patrol parties, verify bar compliances and while monitoring over-servicing, check keg control, issue violations and revisit recurring situations. They can form teams of officers on quick notice and have been very efficient. Dale interjected and commended Pat, the officers involved and the ALE. She would like to get the UNC Campus Police involved.

Dean Blackburn, Assistant Dean of Students, Community Relations also thanked the officers and other resources. He talked about the student interventions being motivators for the recidivism rates increasing. He also spoke about how Carpe Diem has positive feedback from students and is causing decreases in alcohol use. Matt Sullivan has been helpful in explaining law requirements. Surveys from the students involved reflect that 94% have decreasing alcohol use. Jenny Levering, Assistant Dean of Students, Fraternity & Sorority Life also commended the CHPD. She stated that the students have been responsive to their efforts. They have been focusing on better controls during campus celebration times (NCAA Championship, Halloween, etc.) by lessening open party activity.

Some of the other officiers spoke for Matt Sullivan about the trends in pill usage increasing and the simplicity of obtaining pharmicuticals through the internet. Also, that alcohol larceny is on the rise. Moreover, the calls that are answered for loud music and parties usually turn out to be a mix of colledge and high school students.

Joseph M. Buckner, Chief District Court Judge, Orange County spoke about his 35 years in Chapel Hill and the surrounding communities. He is familiar with the bad outcomes and that the majority of violations result in deferred prosecution. He put in a plug for the upcoming 4th Annual Unity Day at the Hargraves Center on June 29th. He spoke about the plans Gov. Perdue has to reduce funding for drug court. He spoke about North Orange County having a high truancy rate and mentioned that parents are being sited for not getting their kids to school. He feels that multiple programs helping at multiple levels is "all good" and eventually will help make a difference.

Bill from CHHS spoke about the schools budget issues affecting the Student Assistance Programs and distribution of parent information. July 3rd is the next chance to lobby the school board. There was mention of the e-mail that Steve Scgoggs sent to parents about usage and activity on campus.

A representative from the OJJDP came to get interest in the upcoming 11th Annual UDETC Leadership Conference. Please visit www.udetc.org for more information.

Community Coalition Meeting

2009-05-06T15:03:00.000-04:00

The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
invites you attend our Spring lunch meeting on:
Thursday, May 21st at 12:00pm.
This meeting is an opportunity to report out to the community about the many exciting and promising Coalition initiatives, as well as to hear from you as to concerns, celebrations or needs. Please let me know if you personally or your agency would like to make an announcement.

A "complimentary lunch" will be provided. Please kindly RSVP by Monday May 18th if you plan to attend this meeting so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.

Location: Squid's Restaurant, 1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill, 942-8757 This meeting open to the public. Please forward this invite to others who might like to attend.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
www.chccoalition.org

PTSA Parent Forum

2009-01-30T13:20:00.006-05:00

5th Annual PTSA Parent Forum presents:

Should We Drink With Our Teens?

Answer A: “Yes. I want to teach them to be responsible drinkers.”

Answer B: “No. One drink is too much.”

Which answer is correct? A or B?
Which do you practice in your home?
Come and join us to hear from our panel of experts.
You will learn about the latest research and data on teenage drinking, brain development, lowering the drinking age (Amethyst Initiative), the “European Approach”, family counseling, the law in North Carolina.

The evening will consist of one hour of expert panelist presentations followed by one hour of questions and answers. This event is co-sponsored by the High School PTSA organizations of Carrboro, East Chapel Hill,
and Chapel Hill and is free and open to the public.

Date: Wednesday, February 4^th at 7PM

Place: East Chapel Hill High School’s Auditorium

PANEL MEMBERS

Dean Blackburn, MA, Assistant Dean of Students and Community Relations at UNC-Chapel Hill. Mr. Blackburn will discuss current campus culture and university concerns regarding underage drinking.

Michael Eisen, MA, LPC - State Coordinator - NC Preventing Underage Drinking Initiative/NC Department of Health and Human Services. Mr. Eisen will discuss the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 and the relationship between the minimum legal drinking age, alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems including current research about the “European Approach”.

Tina Lepage, PsyD, Lepage Associates Solution-Based Psychological Services, providing services to local adolescents, parents and families. Dr. Lepage will discuss the social and psychological dynamics of adolescent drinking and tips for parents on prevention.

Matt Sullivan, JD, MSW, Chapel Hill Police Department Crisis Counselor. Mr. Sullivan will concentrate on the criminal and civil liabilities of adult providers and underage consumers, and current teenage drinking
trends.

Aaron White, PhD, Health Science Administrator, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Dr. White will share his expert research on the effects of alcohol on the developing teenage brain.

Moderator: Art Belden, ECHHS PTSA President

For information contact

Carrboro High School: Katina Rogers, katinarogers@bellsouth.net

Chapel Hill High School: Martha Sheard Farley, msheardfarley@nc.rr.com

East Chapel Hill High School: Christian Gilbert, xtian12@aolcom, Karen Lewis, tokyokaren@yahoo.com

Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill and Carrboro: dalepratt-wilson@nc.rr.com

If you were unable to attend this year’s Parent Forum, you can access it in the following ways:

TV: Airing on The People's Channel (Channel 8 on Time Warner Cable) Thursday, March 19th and Thursday March 26th at 8:00pm

Webcast: http://chccsptsa.blip.tv

CD: A CD version is available for check-out at the library at each of the CHCCS high schools.

Fall Meeting Notes 2008

2008-11-20T14:00:00.005-05:00

Drew Smith, Devel Dir at the Chapel Hill YMCA described the 18,000 sq. ft. Youth Center. The capitol campaign has already raised 1 million of the 5 million needed to build a community place, for teens ranging from 13 to 18 years, to be completed by 2010. This is a community project. The most recent Middle School Madness event was a success. There were over 500 students in attendance. Jerry Whortan, Exec Dir, spoke about the interest and needs he has heard from both parents and students of a multi-cultural community. For more information or to make a donation, contact Jerry or Drew.

Stephanie Willis, Health Coordinator for the CHCCS, spoke about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The results are a combination of the standard survey and a survey which includes questions involving attitudes, perceptions and behaviors. Chapel Hill Police participated in a forum which included Administrators, Student Resource Officers and Substance Abuse Staff about increasing awareness of prescription drug use. Efforts have been made to double up efforts and including canines in searches. Both the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Task Force (Carole Groux, Dale Prattt-Wilson and Robin Clark) and the District Substance Abuse Task Force are combining to discuss new additions to the school policy, development of new materials and looking for other ways to get awareness materials to students and families. One policy change that was discussed is that off-campus substance abuse will result in loss of campus parking and off-campus lunchtime privildges.

Eric Smith, UNC Wellness Services, thanked the CHPD for the control at the Halloween celebration. Eric is involved in the review of the policies and finding better ways of enforcing them. He spoke about core survey shows a large reduction in binge drinking. Also, there are more preemptive measures for incoming students. Wellness Services is involved in the development of strategies to help control drinking for at risk students. One of the developments is known as Environment Management for students, faculty and staff. This includes science based strategies, moving towards Social Norming, streamlining policies and enforcement, and one-on-one assessment.

Dan Sykes, Orange County ABC Board, read amounts and percentages of profits that have been donated for alcohol awareness and law enforcement. The strong ties with the CHPD, Carrboro PD and OC Sheriff to perform compliance checks. A vendor has been chosen to supply the I.D. Scanners and a few of the local ABC stores have them installed. Each store has an Education Center, which provides brochures and information on substance abuse. Warning messages about underage drinking are being printed on the bags. Staff is being educated and trained for the responsible service, sale, and consumption of alcohol. The state is analyzing the efficiency by which liquor is sold. A possible outcome of the evaluation is that liquor sales could be removed from current Alcohol Beverage Control operations and privatized for private businesses to control the sale of hard liquor. One of the major issues regarding the privatization of liquor sales was the impact upon revenues provided to local governments. According to NC House Bill 1292, a study was conducted of possible ABC store privatization results. The study was designed to analyze methods other states use to regulate alcohol distribution and discern the feasibility of partial privatization (the state privatizes the retail function but retains the wholesale function of liquor distribution) and full privatization (the state privatizes both the retail and wholesale functions of liquor distribution). Local ABC boards are concerned about the potential loss of revenue to local municipalities.

Carole Groux, CADFT explained the Safe Homes website and the intended use. Currently recruiting teens to raise awareness and to get families involved in making the promise that their home will not be subjected to underage drinkers.

Trish Halsey, Dir Carpe Diem, spoke about Carpe Diem, a Chapel Hill First Offenders Program for Alcohol Violations. This is a six-week, five-session program being run as a pilot. Each session is two hours in length with an average of 16 students. There will be outside assignments and a group community service project. Students will spend a total of 15 hours fulfilling the requirements of Carpe Diem. Groups will focus on risk reduction, stress management, alcohol and drug education, replacement behaviors, self-awareness and effective interpersonal skills. The group has been visited by speakers, such as Matt Sullivan, who spoke about current laws and how they are enforced. In phase II of the program, beginning in 09, more groups will be attending. For more information contact Trish at chapelhillfop@gmail.com or call (919) 240-5521. Also, Orange County offers Project Turn Around, for students 16 years or older.

Dale spoke about the Coalition funding from supporting organizations throughout the county. The Underage Drinking Research Initiative has made great strides in building more coalitions for supporting alcohol and drug free communities countrywide. The Alcohol Purchase Surveys are still being conducted and the results are being given to local law enforcement and ALE with a request for a full compliance check using an underage buyer.

The NC Institute of Medicine Task Force on Substance Abuse Services has an Interim Report to the NC General Assembly, as well as the presentation for the Implications for Adolescents by Pam Silberman, JD, DrPH. President & CEONC Institute of Mental Health.

Michael Eisen, NC Dept of MHDDSAS, announced that the NCIoMTF full report should be released in Jan 09. He spoke about the "Price vs. Use" or Usage Fees that help in saving costs to Public Health. He talked about the research being done on the Effects of Alcohol Tax Increases on Alcohol-Related Disease Mortality in Alaska: Time-Series Analyses from 1976 to 2004 done by Dr. Alexander C. Wagenaar in the Amer Jour of Public Health. The cost of underage drinking is estimated at $1.2 billion per year and increasing the tax could raise 80 million per year to support abuse programs. You can view information from the Institute of Medicine. Other links to visit are the Underage Drinking Education Training Center and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Karen Lewis (minutes missing)

Andrea Hussong, PhD UNC-CH, (minutes missing) is developing a Prevention Program for Young Children living in Alcoholic Families. For more info contact Andrea Hussong at hussong@unc.edu or call (919) 962-2537.

Linda Hammock (minutes missing)

Laura Wenzel, Pa'lante Director (minutes missing). Pa'lante events are posted at Radio Pa'lante 103.5. Click here to hear about their group.

Community Coalition Meeting

2008-10-24T12:14:00.000-04:00

The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
invites you attend our Fall lunch meeting on:
Thursday, November 20th at 12:00pm.
This meeting is an opportunity to report out to the community about the many exciting and promising Coalition initiatives, as well as to hear from you as to concerns, celebrations or needs. Please let me know if you or your agency would like to report out or make an announcement.

A "complimentary lunch" will be provided. Please kindly RSVP by Saturday, November 15th if you plan to attend this meeting so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.

Location: Squid's Restaurant, 1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill, 942-8757 This meeting open to the public. Please forward this invite to others who might like to attend.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
www.CHCcoalition.org

Spring Meeting Notes 2008

2008-05-22T14:35:00.004-04:00

A member from the UNC Health Services spoke about the "Wellness Services"Alcohol Education Classes and the Substance Abuse Prevention programs. The Campus Police have a new citation to work towards accountability. Also, there may be a $100K grant coming the NCAA for funding.

Stephanie Willis, CHCCS, spoke about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The results have been merged with the results from a more in-depth survey which was developed locally. The merged results are showing trends are decreasing. She thanked both Orange County ABC and Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools as contributors. Regina Probst was involved in OPC receiving funding for Drug Free NC. Pam Diggs was mentioned for her involvement in the Tobacco Reality Unfiltered.
Chapel Hill High School sponsored two mock car crashes the day before the school's prom. The community agencies who made the event happen include Chapel Hill Police, Chapel Hill Fire Department, Carrboro Police, Carrboro Fire Department, Orange County EMS, Orange County 911 Operations, Orange County Sheriff's department and NC ALE agents.

Matt Sullivan of the CHPD gave an update on the Parent Education Forums or "Reality Check". The goal of these events is to get information about drugs and alcohol to parents. Over 200 parents from the local middle and high schools attended the presentations. They also help form parent alliances. Matt also has shared the youth risk behavior survey at the CHPD in-services.

Drew Smith, Devel Dir at the Chapel Hill YMCA unveiled displays of plans for a new Youth Center. A capitol campaign has begun to raise 5 million to build a community place for after school programs. Focus groups have been formed to determine what types of things will be included. To mention a few, homework rooms, battle of the bands, freestyling, gymnasium, boomerang program, and much more. Jeff Lloyd, Asst Youth Dir, has had more success holding the Middle School Madness events. These nights include open basketball, having the aerobics room become a dance hall and making concessions available. For more information or to make a donation, contact Jerry Whortan, Exec Dir or Drew Smith, Devel Dir.

The Town of Chapel Hill’s Youth Council will accept applications through June 30 from high school students interested in joining. The youth council is a great way for students to meet their peers across the school district. Since its first meeting on Jan. 28 with 16 students, the youth council has grown to 24 students. Applicants must reside within the district of Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools, but they may be attending public, private, home school or charter school. The youth council currently meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Hargraves Center, 216 N. Roberson St. The purpose of the youth council is to familiarize and involve its members with the various departments of Town government, the Town Council and Mayor’s Office. Participants also are expected to become involved in community service projects. Through membership in the State Youth Advocacy Council, there are opportunities to attend workshops, conferences and retreats designed to enhance leadership, team building, and service learning skills. Applications and information is available online at townhall.townofchapelhill.org/parks_&_rec/youth_council or by contacting Liz Mason Carter at 968-2787 x 212 or mail her lcarter@townofchapelhill.org.

Judy, ABC Board, has been evaluating I.D. Scanners for the ABC stores. They have been having success with the number of brochures being taken and the underage drinking messages printed on the paper bags. ABC has also been applying for educational grants to help raise funds. She spoke about the TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) education and training for the responsible service, sale, and consumption of alcohol.

Laura Wenzel, Pa'lante Director, was involved in creating presentation on alcohol use and consequences. The presentation was shown several times at different places such as the Annual Health Fair at the UNC Hospital. There were surveys that were given before and after the presentation with good results. Pa'lante will host Nights of the Stars at the Carrboro Century Center on June 12th. This is an alcohol-free event. Radio Pa'lante broadcasted prom info about safe dating and setting boundaries. The teens were talking about not drinking as well.

Lauren Wilson, Agent of the Alcohol Law Enforcement, has been handing out violations and having the CHPD follow up on alcohol compliance checks.

Craig Lloyd, Executive Director MADD NC spoke about the many programs that are sponsored by MADD. Protecting You, Protecting Me, Road Ready Teens, Think MADD, For Your Child, Outside the Classroom, UMADD, Parent Resources, Youth Statistics, Laws in NC, Why 21, Media Resources, 3 Screen School Assembly programs and MADD Class Packs.

Dale spoke about the NHTSA Grant, the Roadside Survey performed by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. More parents want Law Enforcement to pursue those providing alcohol to our youth more than searching for parties. She also nominated the CHPD for "Law Enforcement Partner of the Year", talked about the Cat's Cradle asking for volunteers to do breathalyzers for youth entering the establishment, the Alcohol Purchase Surveys to find if establishments are selling without asking for an ID, and thanked the CHPD once more for following up on doing compliance checks.

Michael Eisen, NC Dept of MHDDSAS, gave more kudos to the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police for their involvement. He spoke about the "Tipping Point", where the community takes control from the vendors of the vice. For example, the impact that "Truth" had on cigarette sales. Take It Back is a national youth-directed movement to reduce alcohol problems. He mentioned environmental management strategies and the influence of the OJJDP. The Strategic Prevention Framework. The governors’ proposed budget includes increasing the alcohol tax to raise funds for substance abuse programs. The cost of underage drinking is estimated at $1.2 billion per year and increasing the tax could raise 80 million per year to support abuse programs. You can view information from the Institute of Medicine.

Community Coalition Meeting

2008-05-01T12:30:00.000-04:00

The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
invites you attend our Spring lunch meeting on:
Thursday, May 22nd at 12:00pm.
This meeting is an opportunity to report out to the community about the many exciting and promising Coalition initiatives, as well as to hear from you as to concerns, celebrations or needs. Please let me know if you or your agency would like to report out or make an announcement. An agenda will be sent out just prior to the meeting.

A "complimentary lunch" will be provided. Please kindly RSVP by Monday May 19th if you plan to attend this meeting so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.

Location: Squid's Restaurant, 1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill, 942-8757 This meeting open to the public. Please forward this invite to others who might like to attend.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
www.chccoalition.org

Reality Check

2008-03-05T20:32:00.002-05:00

Several dates remain in a series of presentations designed to inform and educate area parents on adolescent drinking and drug use.

Presented by Matt Sullivan, crisis counselor with the Chapel Hill Police Department, his workshops are always well-received and informative.

We are ever grateful to both Matt and the police department for their continued commitment to helping keep our children safe from the harmful, sometimes deadly, consequences of substance use.

"REALITY CHECK"
Keeping parents informed on teen substance use.

Thursday - March 6 - Carrboro High School (Cafe Commons) 7pm - 8pm
Tuesday - March 11 - Smith Middle School (Auditorium) 7pm - 8pm

Presentations are identical, so participants should pick the date and location that is most convenient. Free and open-to-the-public. No registration required.

Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
http://www.chcCoalition.org

Legal fallout for underage drinkers

2008-01-15T10:10:00.000-05:00

Enforcement in University, town
By: Andrew Dunn, Daily Tar Heel, Features Editor
Media Credit: Daily Tar Heel / Allie Mullin

Consequences for underage drinking in the residence halls might be as light as a written warning. Being caught by the Chapel Hill Police Department or the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement means a trip to the courthouse, along with fines and the possibility of alcohol education classes.
For the interconnected web of law enforcement agencies that patrol campus, the fact that UNC students drink under age is a given.
The path such cases take through the legal system is a testament to how widespread the issue is.
The housing department, the Department of Public Safety, Chapel Hill police and Alcohol Law Enforcement all cite students for drinking violations on or near campus.
In most cases, the consequence will amount to a penalty ranging from only a verbal warning to a 15-hour alcohol education class.
Still, the repercussions for the busted drinker vary widely depending on who does the busting.

On-campus quaffing
For the hundreds of teenage drinkers who populate South Campus dorms, trouble begins with a knock on the door.
The resident advisers could be investigating a loud noise complaint, or they could have spied a liquor bottle though a cracked door.
Though students of legal age can drink in their rooms, alcohol is prohibited from common areas and in quantities suitable for more than one person, regardless of the owner.
The RA will immediately ask for the One Card of everyone in the room, and the alcohol will have to be poured out. If the drinkers follow those directions, the incident could end right there.
The dorm's community director also reserves the right to issue a written warning or mandate an alcohol class. If the violators are not cooperative, DPS officers will be called in.
Randy Young, DPS spokesman, said most of the problems with underage drinking stem from downtown excursions and house parties, not the residence halls.
"Underage drinking presents the biggest problem at large-scale events and out in public," Young said. "We're not going to go room to room in the dorms."
And UNC's Honor Court, though alerted to underage drinking, primarily deals with charges of disorderly conduct and driving while intoxicated, Deputy Student Attorney General Andrew Pham said.
"We can't realistically look at every underage possession charge," Pham said. "The University has a concurrent process that takes care of that."
That process usually just requires the offender to take an alcohol education class through Campus Health Services, according to the Dean of Students' office policy.

Out on the town
Drinkers will find the town of Chapel Hill less forgiving if its officers are making the bust.
Citations from the Chapel Hill Police Department or N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement will land the drinker in the courthouse.
On one Tuesday each month, 20 to 40 UNC students and town residents file into the Chapel Hill courthouse, alcohol citations in hand.
But for most of the offenders, a quick visit with an assistant district attorney will be the furthest they venture into the legal system.
"Our first move is not toward a purely punitive action but an educational one," Orange County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Nieman said. "It doesn't mean we don't take it seriously."
For first-time offenders, the district attorney's office will offer what is known as deferred prosecution.
Nieman said most choose that path, which offers a lighter sentence and dismissal of charges that can later be expunged.
Offenders must pay about $200 in court costs and sign a statement that says they "freely admit guilt" and agree to complete several measures within three months:

Stay enrolled in school or employed full time.
Don't commit another offense.
Take a 15-hour alcohol education class that costs $150.

Technically, an underage drinker could face 60 days in jail, a sentence reserved for severe offenders who decide to plead not guilty and fight through a trial.
"It's not the majority of cases, but it can happen," Nieman said. "The point is, no matter what the charge, the assumption is innocent until proven guilty."

Underage drinking laws (as of Dec. 1, 2006):

Underage drinkers risk a possession citation even if they weren't caught holding an alcoholic beverage.
If a police officer suspects intoxication, he can require the person to take a blood alcohol content test, and if that person has alcohol in his system, he is legally "in possession."
A person who refuses will automatically be charged with possession.
If a possession citation is issued, the police officer - either a member of the Chapel Hill Police Department or UNC's Department of Public Safety - also will refer the student to UNC.

Assistant Features Editor Nate Hewitt contributed reporting.
Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.

New Drink Law In Effect

2007-12-04T08:59:00.000-05:00

Providers of alcohol to underage drinkers will now find themselves without wheels if convicted.
A state law that went into effect Saturday requires that people convicted of this class one misdemeanor have their licenses revoked for one year.
Many Chapel Hill residents did not seem to be aware of the increased punishment, but proponents of the change say that it might deter underage drinking.
"We don't want to go into the homes and control the parents, but certainly we are responsible for the safety of our citizens," said N.C. Rep. Linda Coleman, D-Wake, a primary bill sponsor.
Coleman said the bill was introduced in response to the recent drunken driving deaths of several Wake County high schoolers. It passed the state legislature overwhelmingly in July.
"Typically when we hear about parents providing alcohol, it is when someone has died," said Ron Bogle, deputy director of the Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
The misdemeanor charge has not effectively reduced the problem, Bogle said. He said he hopes that a "more practical punishment" will be a deterrent.
But some Chapel Hill residents expressed no knowledge of the changes and had mixed reactions when told about the penalty.
Cranston Hunter, a 20-year-old Chapel Hill resident, said that the punishment fits and that providers of alcohol should know better.
"If you have the guts to do that, you should have the guts to deal with the penalty," he said.
But others see the punishment as excessive. UNC junior Allen Spicer said a friend had his license revoked one year for drunken driving.
"This law sends the message that it may be equal in the eyes of the court to get a sober (under 21) friend to drive you to the store as to drive yourself when you're drunk," he said. Spicer, 20, said he doubts the change will be effective.
"As long as there's a demand for (underage drinking), it's going to happen," he said.
UNC students likely are to be the hardest hit in the community by increased penalties.
College students nationwide spend more than $5.5 billion per year on alcohol, more than they spend on books, soda, coffee, juice and milk combined, said Craig Lloyd , executive director of the N.C. chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
"Many college students are acing Drinking 101 but failing to learn the class about alcohol," he said.
In Chapel Hill, university students are the demographic most often cited for providing alcohol to a minor, said Lt. Kevin Gunter, Chapel Hill Police Department spokesman.
Earlier laws on providing alcohol to underage people make exceptions for religious ceremonies, Gunter said, but they do not distinguish for the amount of alcohol.
"It doesn't matter from our standpoint whether it's one beer or a keg of beer," he said.
There have been five citations this year for providing alcohol to a minor, he said. But he said that in 15 years with the Chapel Hill police department, he has never seen a case that involved a parent being cited for providing a drink with dinner.
Anne Shelton, a member of the CADF, said that although her kids don't drink, she doesn't object to underage children having wine with family.
"On the other hand, if my kids had a party and had other people's kids over, then it would not be smart of me to offer them open access to my liquor cabinet," she said.
"The chances are that somebody is going to end up getting hurt."

Being convicted for giving malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, spirituous liquor or mixed beverages to anyone younger than 21 years old, which already is a class one misdemeanor, now will result in the Division of Motor Vehicles revoking the offender's driver's license for one year.
A person who is older than 21 years old who is convicted of aiding or abetting someone who is younger than the legal drinking age in the purchase, attempt to purchase or possess alcohol now will result in the Division of Motor Vehicles revoking the offender's driver's license for one year.
If a person's license is revoked for giving alcohol to someone who is younger than 21 years old or aiding someone who is younger than the lawful age to drink alcohol, they will now be eligible to apply for limited driving privileges.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu
by Max Rose Staff Writer at The Daily Tar Heel

30 Cited For Alcohol Violations in Chapel Hill

2007-11-16T11:25:00.000-05:00

Law-enforcement agents wrote citations to 30 people during a compliance check with alcohol laws in Chapel Hill. Officers and state Alcohol Law Enforcement agents entered bars and retail stores around town and issued citations for 47 violations.

"This compliance check is part of the Chapel Hill Police Department's ongoing efforts to address underage drinking and other alcohol-related violations in our community," said Lt. Kevin Gunter, of Chapel Hill Police.

22 citations for underage possession of alcohol
13 citations for possession of fictitious identification
4 people charged with aiding and abetting underage possession
2 businesses cited for serving alcohol w/o operators' license
3 charges for underage purchase and consumption

Fall Meeting Notes 2007

2007-11-09T04:57:00.000-05:00

Ann Shelton spoke about the Safe Homes Network and getting parents to "take the pledge" to keep our young adults safe. Information packets have been sent to parents by working with the school system. Also, announcements have been made in the schools and information has been placed in the school newsletters. Want to join? Click here for the PDF form.

Ron spoke about the NHTSA Project which Mary Easley kicked off in September that will become a model for the nation. They are also involved in the First Offenders Program which includes working with Judges, District Attorneys, Psychologists and Behavior Specialists. He mentioned the Surgeon Generals Call to Action, the Party and Saturation Patrols. Check out the new resources at StopImpariedDriving.org.

Joel Booker, Captain, Carrboro Police Dept, who has teens of his own, spoke about how folks like Dale and Judge Vogel have helped to change the thinking of law enforcement. He is very active in seeing that our youths get help. It means more than just involving parents.

Kevin Gunter, Lieutenant, Chapel Hill Police Dept, spoke about how the laws have changed so that young adults can be cited for consumption. Physical possession is not as much a factor and it is up to the discretion of the officer in making the decision to cite a youth. He is also sincere in involving Parents, Educators and Mental Health Professionals.

Stephanie Willis, CHCCS, spoke about the Safe and Drug Free Schools and the Safe Schools Tip Line. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the Drug-Free Community Survey have been merged to give a better analysis of our youths attitudes, perceptions and beliefs. Results will be posted on the district website in mid December.

Q. What gives Cat's Cradle and Blend the ability to host benefits (e.g. 80's Dance and Battle of the Bands) where minors attend amidst youths of age willing to share their purchases.
A. Blend closes their bar. Cat's Cradle labels minors (e.g. stamping their hands, wearing bands). There are currently no laws forcing a business to deny a minor access just because they have a license to sell alcohol.

Jamezetta Bedford, Chair of the School Board, received many nods after she made a request that a message be sent about the Coalition to the UNC-CH Chancellor Search Committee.

Judy, ABC Board, talked about advocating for installation of I.D. Scanners in the stores. They now have "Speaking to your Child about Alcohol" brochures available. ABC has also been helping to fund the Coalition.

Jeff Lloyd, Asst Youth Dir Chapel Hill YMCA, has had successful Middle School Dances. These nights include open basketball, having the aerobics room become a dance hall and making concessions available. The participant numbers are 350 and growing and Law Enforcement is present. A capitol campaign has begun to raise 5 million to build a Youth Center. Please contact Jeff Lloyd, Asst Youth Dir Jerry Whortan, Exec Dir or Drew Smith, Devel Dir for more information on donating or getting involved.

Kerry, spoke about Block Captains and community involvement. They had success at the Lake Hogan Halloween get together by parent communication and involvement. She has also been active in coordinating Parent Forums, Reality Check and Media Literacy programs at several of the schools.

Michael Eisen, NC Dept of MHDDSAS, spoke about First Lady Easley working with the Federal Trade Commission to place limits on the alcohol ads, Community Watch Programs, NC State hosting the Surgeon Generals Call to Action, Media Ready a media literacy program, Safe & Drug-Free Community Counselors beginning training, and the "Tipping Point". A tipping point is where the community takes control from the vendors of the vice. For example, the impact that "Truth" had on cigarette sales. Take It Back is a national youth-directed movement to reduce alcohol problems.

Stephanie Willis, CHCCS, spoke again about including information about substance abuse in more than just the health classes and including subjects such as brain biology in the health classes. She talked about Jim Wise holding debates about substance abuse and calling it "Class Action".

The final speaker brought up the topic of compulsive gambling and how addictive it could become.

Community Coalition Meeting

2007-10-22T13:35:00.000-04:00

The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
invites you attend our Fall lunch meeting on:
Thursday, November 8 at 12 noon.
This meeting is an opportunity to report out to the community about the many exciting and promising Coalition initiatives, as well as to hear from you as to concerns, celebrations or needs. An agenda will be sent out just prior to the meeting.

A "complimentary lunch" will be provided. Please kindly RSVP before November 5th if you plan to attend this meeting so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.

Location: Squid's Restaurant, 1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill, 942-8757 This meeting is free and open to the public. Please forward this invite to others who might like to attend.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
www.chccoalition.org

Party Patrol is Looking for You

2007-09-18T22:35:00.001-04:00

Underage Drinkers Beware: Party Patrol is Looking for You

US Surgeon General on Underage Drinking

2007-09-08T07:22:00.000-04:00

U.S. Acting Surgeon General Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Moritsugu
and
Mary P. Easley First Lady of North Carolina
Invite you to attend a public seminar about the
"Call to Action to Reduce and Prevent Underage Drinking"
(www.surgeongeneral.gov)
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Stewart Theatre, Talley Student Center
2610 Cates Avenue, North Carolina State University Campus
More information will be available soon at
www.ncsu.edu/millenniumseminars

I hope you will plan to attend this
important public event. Please feel
free to contact me if you need
additional information.

Best,
Dale

Late Nite @ the Y

2007-01-25T16:57:00.000-05:00

Friday, January 26th, A Safe and Fun Night Out for Teens

The Coalition and the Chapel-Hill Carrboro YMCA are hosting the second in a series of safe and fun evenings out for all area high schoolers (grade 9-12). This "Late Nite @ the Y" event has been expanded to include all Orange County Schools, Durham Academy, Carolina Friends and Emerson Waldorf students. It will be held on Friday, January 26th from 9 pm to 12 Midnight. Two future Late Nite's are scheduled for Friday, March 23 and May 18th.

We'll have a D.J., dancing, full-court basketball, Walleyball, concessions and to top-off the list of fun things to do, kids can try out the Y's newest acquisition, "Dance Dance Revolution"!

To ensure everyone's safety, Chapel Hill and Carrboro police officers will be on-site as well as Y staff and parent volunteers to provide adequate supervision.

Cost is $5 per person at the door.

Once again, I would like to express my personal gratitude to the YMCA for providing their leadership, facility and youth expertise in hosting these events for our kids. Together, we support our youth in making healthy choices about their lives and we are committed to providing them with safe and fun-filled opportunities where alcohol and drug use is not peer-pressured or expected.

I hope you will join with me in showing support for this and similar events. To volunteer for "Late Nite @ the Y" or make a donation to YMCA hosted substance-free activities, please contact me or Jeff Lloyd at the YMCA 942-5156.

All my best,
Dale

Late Nite @ the Y

2006-10-18T17:42:00.000-04:00

For those of you who have been following the efforts of the Coalition, you know that we have worked diligently over the years to educate parents and students about the dangers of underage drinking and drug use through various collaborative programs and initiatives. We have also interviewed local teens asking them to help us identify the issues in our community that increase the risk of adolescent substance use and to help us promote the factors that minimize that risk.

Consistently, the main issue raised by the kids is the need for more weekend youth-oriented activities where they can just "hang out with their friends and have fun". To address this need, the Coalition has joined together with the Chapel-Hill Carrboro YMCA to host the first in a series of safe and fun evenings out for all Chapel Hill High and East Chapel Hill High School students (only) on Friday, October 27th from 9 pm to Midnight.

Dubbed "Late Nite at the Y", this event will include a D.J., dancing, basketball, Wolleyball, "open-mic" performance lounge, concessions, games and much more. To ensure everyone's safety, Chapel Hill and Carrboro police officers will be on-site, breathalyzers and metal detectors will be administered to students upon entry and attendees must present a Chapel Hill or EAST school identification card. Cost is $5 per person at the door.

I want to express my personal gratitude to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA for providing their leadership, facility and youth expertise in hosting this long-awaited teen event. Together, we support our youth in making healthy choices about their lives and we are committed to providing them with safe and fun-filled opportunities where alcohol and drug use is not peer-pressured or expected.

I hope you will join with me in showing support for this and similar events for our teenagers. To volunteer for "Late Nite @ the Y" or make a donation to YMCA hosted substance-free activities for local teens, please contact me or Jeff Lloyd at the YMCA 942-5156.

All my best,
Dale

Fall Meeting Notes 2006

2006-09-30T07:49:00.000-04:00

Annual Accomplishments

Our Teens, Our Town - Media Literacy - Safe Homes Database - Town Hall Meeting featuring Mrs. Easley - Reality Check - Alcohol Purchase Survey RASP BARS Shoulder Tap - Governers DWI Bill (12/2006) - Warnings on Bags at Orange County ABC Stores - Aaron White "Alcohol and Teenage Brain Development"

New Initiatives

YMCA Hosting "LATE NIGHT" on October 27th from 9pm to Midnight
Please contact Jeff Lloyd at the YMCA 942-5156 about donating to help defray the cost of events like these.

Neil Pedersen talked about the changes for the district and presented the new handouts and brochures for awareness. The brochures are to be handed out to Middle School and High School parents. There will be a district Task Force meeting at the Lincoln Center on Thursday, October 12th, 2006 at 8am.

Culbreth School will host a Reality Check on November 15th, 2006 for all of the district to attend.

More info as it becomes available...

Community Coalition Meeting

2006-09-13T06:20:00.000-04:00

The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill & Carrboro invites you attend our next lunch meeting.

Thursday, September 28th at 12 noon
This meeting is an opportunity to inform the community about the Coalition's current initiatives, as well as to hear from the community as to concerns, celebrations or needs. An agenda will be sent out just prior to the meeting.

Location: Squid's Restaurant (1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill 942-8757)
A complimentary lunch will be provided by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation - Chapel Hill Center. Please kindly RSVP by September 25th, to dalepratt-wilson@nc.rr.com if you plan to attend this meeting, so we can order the right amount of food.

This meeting is open to the public. Please feel free to forward this email to others you think might like to attend.

Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill and Carrboro (CADFT)
www.CADFT.org

Legislative Update

2006-08-03T08:15:00.000-04:00

Dear Coalition Members, Partners and Supporters:
2006 has been busy for our Coalition, and a year that has included significant accomplishment and important victories in our continuing effort to eliminate underage drinking and drug use by youth in our community. In particular, I wanted to report to you about significant legislative accomplishments in the General Assembly.
Foremost, I want to thank our legislative delegation for their continuing support of our work, and in particular want to commend Representative Joe Hackney for his tireless efforts in Raleigh. As most of you know, Representative Hackney is the House Majority Leader, and, in addition, Chairman of the Governor’s DWI Task Force. As such, he became a legislative sponsor and key leader in obtaining General Assembly approval for the measures I note below, which are part of the Governor’s DWI legislative proposals. I urge you to contact Representative Hackney, Representative Verla Insko (co-sponsor of the bill) and other legislators to thank them for their dedicated work and support.
The final version of the Governor’s DWI Task Force Recommendations was overwhelmingly ratified by both Houses (a unanimous vote in the House and a 47-1 vote in the Senate), is expected to be signed by Gov. Easley and become law on December 1, 2006. This important piece of legislation included many provisions related to DWI's and several of these provisions are of particular interest on the underage drinking front:
First – Under 21 Alcohol Consumption –While it has long been illegal for underage persons to possess, purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol, pertinent statutes were silent as to the "consumption" of alcohol by the underage drinker. Because of this lack of specificity, it led to an inconsistent application of the law in North Carolina when teens had been consuming alcoholic beverages, but were not visually seen in "possession" of the alcohol by an officer. In some communities, law enforcement would routinely cite the offending youth for "possession" with or without any visual observation, while officers in other communities would not cite the offending youth unless expressly accompanied by their visual observation of possession (even when the youth was obviously impaired by the alcohol). In effect, some agencies interpreted this to mean that it was illegal to "possess" alcohol, but not illegal for teens to "consume" alcohol. Without addressing this issue of how alcohol could be "consumed" without "possession," the State legislature has now resolved it. The General Assembly clarified this by making it illegal for any person under 21 to "consume" alcohol.
This is important for prevention advocates in North Carolina, and will lead to a more consistent and common sense application of the law, which is meant, as a matter of public policy, to keep alcohol out of the bodies (and hands) of children.
Second – Keg-Permitting – You probably followed our efforts before the Town Council of Chapel Hill in urging their support for keg registration. Distilled spirits, along with wine purchases above a specific quantity, have long required registration information with the ABC. However, no such registration or information was required for the acquisition of beer kegs. Beer, because of its relatively low cost, is often the beverage of choice for underage drinkers. Beer kegs compound the problem because it enables youth to purchase beer in even larger quantities and at lower cost. Along with that is the reality that the supply of beer to the underage drinker from a keg is unlimited and unmonitored, typically enhancing the likelihood of greater consumption and abuse of alcohol.
As background, keg-registration legislation is a "best-practice" strategy (IOM Report 2003) intended to aid law enforcement in tracking down the purchaser of a beer keg should it end up in the hands of underage drinkers. In states that have passed keg registration, every keg is imprinted with a serial number and is traceable back to the retailer who sold it. The adult who was "registered" for that keg and purchased it, could then potentially be charged as an adult provider.
Our new legislative version provided for keg-permitting, rather than keg-registration. With keg-permitting, an adult purchaser must obtain a permit from the beer retailer, specify where the keg is being transported and must produce the permit upon request of law enforcement. We believe this legislation can impact underage drinking by requiring an extra layer of accountability for the adult-purchaser and help hold them responsible should underage youth drink from the keg. We did not get everything we wanted in this legislation but it is an important start in North Carolina, and we will continue to work to strengthen its provisions. The new provisions for keg permitting in North Carolina are as follows:
   1) Retailers will be responsible for issuing keg permits.
   2) Kegs to be covered by a permit include full kegs (15 gallons) and "pony" kegs (7.75 gallons). Purchase of a "party" keg (5 gallons) does not require a permit.
3) Retailers will be required to keep permits on file for 90 days. By request of any person, a retailer must retain the permit for a requested period of time beyond the 90 day period.
   4) It is a Class 1 misdemeanor if a buyer does not obtain a permit for a full or pony keg.
While we don’t claim that keg permitting, or changes in consumption laws, standing alone, will eliminate underage drinking, we do believe they serve as additional tools in the prevention toolbox.
It’s significant to remember that a dominant, influential and long-term force in legislative bodies across the country, is the alcohol industry. This year, we joined together with other Coalitions in North Carolina to be the counter-voice to this entity, working closely with legislators helping to educate them on the measures contained in the new bill that could help us fight against underage drinking. The alcohol industry is no longer the only voice being heard by the General Assembly and we will continue to work with our leaders to look for ways to improve the laws in order to protect our children.
Youth in America are bombarded daily with messages from the alcohol industry, glorifying, trivializing or "humorizing" its use. But it is not a product without consequence. If their messages are to be believed, it would be easy to draw the conclusion that life, romance, recreation and the good-times can all be fulfilled by drinking. Today, nearly 18% of all alcohol sales are to underage drinkers, representing nearly $23 billion dollars in profits annually to the alcohol industry. While the early initiation of youth to alcohol supports the financial interests of the alcohol industry by continuously bringing in new customers, our children are their victims as evidenced by:

2006 Duke University researchers report that alcohol causes more damage to the developing brains of teenagers than was previously thought, injuring them significantly more than it does adult brains. (see New York Times article, The Grim Neurology of Teenage Drinking, July 4, 2006)
2006 Columbia University study finding that 25% of underage drinkers meet standard criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence
a range of adverse short-and long-term consequences, including academic and/or social problems; unwanted, unintended, and unprotected sexual activity; physical and sexual assault; memory problems; increased risk of suicide and homicide; physical problems such as hangovers or illnesses; alcohol-related car crashes and other unintentional injuries such as burns, falls, and drownings; and death from alcohol poisoning. (www.NIAAA.nih.gov)
As advocates for our children, we must work constantly to find ways to send our own powerful, consistent, "no use" messages to our young people. A friend of mine once said, "The alcohol industry is not the enemy. Preventing underage drinking is about social marketing and the industry is just our competition."

Thanks to all of you who continue your own good work to ensure the well-being and long-term quality of life for Chapel Hill and Carrboro teenagers.
Best,
Dale

Down on the 'Pharm'

2006-07-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Pharm parties are the latest rage among high school students. When you hear the term "pharm" party, you may get a visual of driving to the country to listen to music and chat with friends under a large oak tree. Unfortunately, the dream ends there.
Pharm parties are gatherings where pharmaceuticals are passed out. Teens raid their parents' medicine cabinet (called "pharming") and take their loot to a party, where they pass drugs around without regard to dosage, side effects or drug incompatibility.
Pharm parties are the happening thing because they don't carry the stigma associated with illegal drug use. Some teens don't even consider themselves "doing drugs" because the drugs are prescription medication. Unlike the traditional drugs that parents are taught to look for, these drugs are easy to obtain and conceal. Also, there is less risk of police involvement because no one is going to the "shady" side of town to buy cocaine, heroin or marijuana.
Parents can no longer focus their attention solely on identifying alcohol and marijuana usage and paraphernalia. They must be mindful of all medications in the household and get rid of those that are not being used. Keeping a few pain pills around in case the old back flares up again is not wise.
All narcotics should be locked in a place where only the intended user has access. As much as one may hate the idea of keeping a log or counting pills, doing so is the best way to monitor the medicine cabinet. If you are not careful and you find your pills stolen, your physician may deny you a refill.
Substance use among teens was a problem before pharming. In 2003 The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse published these facts:

10.8 percent of youth (ages 12-17) had used an illicit drug at least once in the prior month, according to the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
Substance abuse and addiction was expected to add at least $41 billion to the costs of elementary and secondary education for the 2000-01 school year.
65.3 percent of youth who were heavy drinkers also used illicit drugs. Among nondrinkers, 5.1 percent used illicit drugs.
48 percent of youth who smoked cigarettes used illicit drugs within the prior month. Only 5.3 percent of nonsmoking youth used illicit drugs within the prior month.
An estimated 1.1 million youth needed treatment for an illicit-drug abuse problem in 2001. Of this group, only 100,000 received treatment.
More than one-third of the sexually active young people reported that alcohol or drugs had influenced their decisions about sex.
Twenty-nine percent of sexually active individuals 15-24 years old said they had done more sexually when drinking or using drugs.
Youth who reported alcohol or illicit drug use during the past year were more likely to be at risk for suicide than those refraining from substances.

Adding a new concept to an old problem creates more issues. Pharming, alone, can lead to drug incompatibility and overdosing. Overdosing can lead to death. What will the statistics reveal in 2010 when the statistics include the concept of pharming?
If you're a parent, talk openly with your teens about drug and alcohol use. Demand accountability. You should know where your teens are and whom they are with.
Parents should consult one another. Coalitions can help monitor the problem, provide education and healthy alternatives. The cost of drug and alcohol rehabilitation is high with no guaranteed results. Focusing on prevention will produce healthier teens and safer communities while saving millions of government and private dollars.
We cannot stick our heads in the sand and hope school officials will fix this problem. Our children are depending on us!
The facts be viewed online at:
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/juveniles

This is Beverly Scarlett's first column for The Chapel Hill News. She is an assistant district attorney for Orange and Chatham counties and lifelong Orange County resident. Readers may contact her at beverly.scarlett@gmail.com

Underage Drinking Rally

2006-05-15T18:34:00.000-04:00

When: Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 1:30 PM
(arrive at 1:00 PM to organize)

Where: Durham County Courthouse
201 E Main St
Durham, NC 27701-3640

Why: In an effort to capitalize on the anticipated national and local media coverage generated by the scheduled arraignment of Duke Lacrosse player, Reade Seligman, on May 18th, we are taking the opportunity to put ourselves in front of the media to bring focus to the dangers of underage drinking and the health and safety issue this presents for all communities. This Rally is not against Duke, its lacrosse players or Duke's alcohol policies. Please do not take this opportunity to express your personal views about the case.

The Plan: A Rally scheduled for 1:30 PM might work to our best advantage. (Seligman's arraignment is on the Court's afternoon docket, which convenes at 2:30pm. If we stage our rally at 1:30 pm, then we won't be competing for attention. This legal arena, we are finding out, is dynamic and continuances occur, as in the case of the 2nd accused, Collin Finnerty, whose arraignment is continued to mid-June. So if we get there and there is a continuance, we will consider it a "mobilization exercise".

Earl handed out a fact sheet and spoke to the media this morning, taking the opportunity presented by a 3rd student charged with rape. The media talked to him about underage drinking and supported the effort. He did not get TV time HOWEVER they also know about our Rally on Thursday and have a heads up!

What to Bring:

1. A BIG SIGN that says some variation of the following:
• United Against Underage Drinking
• Zero Tolerance for Underage Drinking
• Stop Underage Drinking
• Underage Drinking: A Problem in Every Community
2. Several warm bodies to hold signs
3. A "smart" looking outfit, in case you are on TV.

Teens get a shot of reality

2006-05-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

By PATRICK WINN, STAFF WRITER

CHAPEL HILL -- For a half hour, Chapel Hill High School seniors sat in the bleachers and watched their soccer field become a make-believe bloodbath.

It started with a glimpse. A slight breeze lifted the blue tarp off two mangled cars packed with bodies.

Then the tarp was yanked, setting into motion teenagers' squeals of pain, a drunk driver's arrest, chirping two-way radios and even a UNC Hospitals helicopter whipping up soil.

"I can't feel my legs!" screamed Erin Humphreys, wedged in the back of a Volkswagen Rabbit.

The high school prom was Saturday. The elaborate Friday morning production was an in-your-face attempt to make prom-goers think twice about driving drunk.

The mock crash, planned since December, was arranged by the groups Students Against Violence Everywhere and Students Against Destructive Decisions. They pulled together every local agency that might respond to a real wreck, including the Chapel Hill Fire Department, the Chapel Hill Police, Orange County Emergency Medical Services and UNC Air Care.

"If you look up and see me or one of my colleagues standing over you, you're not having a good day," nurse Chris McGrath with UNC Air Care told students beforehand.

"We are going to poke and prod you in ways you can't believe. You might have a tube sticking out of every hole in your body," McGrath said. "No matter how much pain medicine we give you, you're still going to hurt."

At first, a drunk driver played by student Katie Bennett emerged dazed and blood-splattered from a dinged Chevrolet. Bottles of Budweiser lay sideways under the front bumper.

Her victims were four other Chapel Hill High teenagers in a Volkswagen, which, in the staged scenario, had T-boned the Chevy.

Within minutes, a fire truck roared onto the field. Men hopped out, checked pulses and fired up the Jaws of Life.

One firefighter cracked off the passenger-side door and tossed it on the cement track circling the field. One peeled off the Rabbit's roof like a sardine can.

Before pulling out bodies, emergency workers covered the mangled car's sharp edges with cardboard sleeves. (They look like the jackets Starbucks uses to prevent burned fingers.)

The living were strapped to day-glow yellow backboards and laid out on the cement. "My leg!" Humphreys screamed, quivering in her straps.

One was hauled away in an ambulance. Then came the sound of a UNC Air Care helicopter, drowning out the radio bleeps and Humphreys' wailing as it landed on the field.

Bits of dirt blew everywhere, pecking at faces in the bleachers. Amanda Thomas-Cole, portraying a victim whose head had crashed through the Rabbit's windshield, was carried to the chopper. (For safety reasons, she did not board and take off.)

The firefighters and EMS workers then laid out the dead.

Two of them were put on their backs -- no stretchers -- and covered with white sheets.

Claire Superak, a junior, looked like a ghost in tennis shoes.

"I'm just doing this to protect my classmates," said Thomas-Cole after the stadium had cleared out. "Maybe 80 percent of them won't take it seriously. But if this changes one person's mind, it's worth it."

Contact staff writer Patrick Winn at 932-8742 or pwinn@nando.com.

Campaign to end teen drinking

2006-04-02T19:54:00.000-04:00

By VALARIE SCHWARTZ - The Chapel Hill News

As the temperatures rise and senioritis spreads to the lower grades, the rumors of parties blossom along with the dogwoods and azaleas.

It's that time of year when strolls along Bolin Creek or any secluded area might be decorated with the litter of teen parties. Tell tale signs include empty Redi-whip cans, bottles of mouthwash or cough syrup -- and of course empty adult beverage containers.

"Kids will be kids," adults have said forever, accepting the norm of teen drinking and drug abusing.

But in this community, Dale Pratt-Wilson has found a way to bend that norm -- and maybe even, within a few years, completely eclipse the rites of passage teens consider their entree into the world of alcohol.

2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Chapel Hill-Carrboro findings
46.7 percent: High school students who drank alcohol.
25.3 percent: High school students engaged in binge drinking.
18 percent and 19.7 percent: High school and middle school students, respectively, who had their first drink at age 12 or younger.
26.8 percent and 24 percent: High school and middle school students, respectively, who rode in a car with someone who had been drinking.
19.3 percent and 6 percent: High school and middle school students, respectively, who smoked marijuana.

For the past two years, Pratt-Wilson has been the parent with the loudest battle cry and greatest tenacity against teenage drinking and drug abuse. For her, the campaign began when she showed up at a teen party just as police were arriving.

The alarming sight of 200 kids scattering from an apartment where four beer kegs had been supplemented with pot was punctuated by the ages of the party guests.

"These were the faces of young children," she said. "They were middle and high schoolers."

More alarming was what happened next -- nothing.

"The police at that time didn't do anything," she said. "The kids just left."

She had plenty of anger to go around, starting with the parents who had rented the apartment so their son could play football at East Chapel Hill High School. But she directed most of her heat at the Chapel Hill Police Department.

She sat down with Police Chief Gregg Jarvies and left that meeting with a new question: Did the community of Chapel Hill not really care about this?

She recognized that she was dealing with deeply rooted societal norms.

"It used to be that people drove and drank," Pratt-Wilson said. Then MADD came along and laws were tightened.

"The new norm is: Drink and don't drive," she said. But that's not good enough when speaking of our children. "They're still in danger -- of alcohol poisoning, suicide, homicide, rape, unprotected sex," and general out-of-control behavior, she said.

Armed with state and federal grants, she started the Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill and Carrboro (CADFT), and in 2005 she helped conduct a survey developed by the Centers for Disease Control among 2,783 high school and 774 middle school students. The results tallied their behavior during the 30 days prior to the survey (see box).

Using the survey findings, she started the Safe Homes Network, a project endorsed by the local school system and police departments. Parents who sign the Safe Homes Network pledge are listed in a directory, which other parents can view on-line to help them feel confident that their child can visit that home without fear that drinking or drug use will be allowed there.

So far, nearly 300 parents have signed the pledge she started circulating in mid-February.

Pratt-Wilson, however, has a goal of 6,300 -- that's roughly every home with a middle- or high school-aged child in the district.

"Five years ago a concerned group of parents tried the pledge and 12 people signed up," Pratt-Wilson said. "The community has changed a little bit.

Carole Groux, who moved here in August, is among those happy for the change. As a family counselor, Groux understands the impact of drug use on children and families.

"We have to clean up the environment," she said. "We need to reduce the number of parties and number of places where kids hang out and do those things. It's the way to keep all children safer."

The responsibility falls where it should -- to the parents.

"Parents need to have high expectations and great consequences," Groux said. "If there are 40 wild parties this year, maybe in a year or two there will only be 10," if parents make the pledge and keep to it.

"One of the greatest things we can do is keep our children off alcohol and drugs, because of the damage that it causes to their brains and the increased risk of dependence and addiction," Groux said.

She cited recent national research findings that indicate that children who begin substance abuse at 13 have a 40 percent risk of becoming dependent.

"If a child starts experimenting at 13, by the time they're 15 they're changing the wiring of their brain," she said. "If they can wait until 21 they reduce the risk (of dependence) to 10 percent."

Kerry Brandewie, a Lake Hogan Farms neighbor of Groux's, has a child in the 7th grade at McDougle Middle School. She wants to make a difference in middle school students' expectations about drinking in high school through the Safe Homes Network.

"I hope we can get it started in middle schools, where there's more control, and make it the norm that it's not acceptable -- that parties do not include alcohol and drug use," Brandewie said. "So, when they get to high school, they'll be accustomed to the expectation of their parents and the community -- that drugs and alcohol are not involved in parties."

"She's a breath of fresh air," Vickie Mendes said of Pratt-Wilson. "For her to have done what she's done to this point is wonderful."
Mendes has 9th-grade twins.

"They know kids who smoke and drink. It's too bad that they're doing that at this age," she said. "Luckily, I have good kids and I trust them but I know these influences are all around them."

When her children were in middle school, she said, she knew their friends and their friends' parents. But high school is a different story.

"It's real scary," she said. "Kids think that the norm is they will be drinking by the time they're juniors. They think that's so old. We really do have to change that."

Matt Sullivan, a police crisis counselor with the Chapel Hill Police Department, is confident that things are changing.

"Safe Homes Network is so encouraging to me," he said. "It supports the visual representation of parents united. That's a prong we've been missing for a long time around here. My first belief is that if parents talk to each other and stand unified on a non-using front, that goes a long way in preventing adolescent substance abuse. A lot of parents care and feel they're isolated in their perspective. Safe Homes proves they're not.

"Dale has really taken this issue by the horns," Sullivan said.

"What I admire about Dale is that in spite of a community that didn't readily pick up the message, she kept it out there. She's got more people talking about the issue."

There will be a parent information meeting on substance and technology risks at 7 p.m. April 25 at East Chapel Hill High School -- just before the proms.

For more on Safe Homes Network and to sign the pledge, see: http://www.CADFT.org.

Media Literacy

2006-01-12T17:26:00.000-05:00

Dear Parents and Coalition members,

The Committee for Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers is sponsoring a workshop on Media Literacy for any and all adolescents in our area. It boasts the three essential F's....fun, free and food.

We think if you read the attached flyer, you will see that the subject matter will appeal to the "attitudes" of many of our kids. Whether you are a parent, a youth leader or both, this is an afternoon worth encouraging your teenagers to attend.

Thanks and Best,
Dale

Community Coalition Meeting

2006-01-05T08:11:00.000-05:00

The Committee for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill & Carrboro invites you to attend a coalition meeting to discuss community-wide efforts to combat underage drinking and drug use and to share future strategies aimed at addressing this persistent public health and safety concern.

This meeting is open-to-the-public.
All citizens and stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
(Please freely distribute this invitation.)

Thursday, January 26th at 12 noon

Change of Venue:
Hargraves Recreational Center, 216 N Roberson Street, Chapel Hill
The meeting will be held in the main hall.
(go up the front steps and enter through the front door)
There is parking on both the left and the right sides of the Hargraves Center.

A complimentary lunch will be served. Please RSVP to dalepratt-wilson@nc.rr.com
by January 23rd, if you plan to attend, so food can be properly arranged.

Dale Pratt-Wilson

OUR TEENS. OUR TOWN.

2005-11-10T17:48:00.000-05:00

It's time to deal with the reality of underage drinking and drug use.

Attend this special informational evening regarding local teen drinking and drug use. Understand its cost to our children and community. Discover how your neighborhood can be a part of the solution to protect young people, homes and property.

Date: Thursday, November 17th 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Chapel Hill Public Library (downstairs meeting room)
This event is free and open-to-the-public.

Speakers:

Dale Pratt-Wilson, with The Committee for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers, will present a compelling 15-minute film depicting today's generation of youth and alcohol issues, how it is different from 20 years ago and what other communities are doing about it.
Officer Robin Clark, with the Chapel Hill Police Department's Community Watch Program, will discuss the relationship between alcohol/drug use and incidence of crime and vandalism.
Ms. Wanda Boone, with The Partnership for a Drug Free North Carolina's Parent Corp, will talk about the strategy of informal neighborhood parent groups and parent awareness Issues.
Mr. Bill Patterson, former Deputy Director of NC Alcohol Law Enforcement and current Senior Program Manager for the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, will discuss how communities contribute to the problem of youth access to alcohol, the price we pay for underage drinking and what your neighborhood can do about it.

Questions: 942-3300

rclark@townofchapelhill.org OR dalepratt-wilson@nc.rr.com

The Committee for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
919-942-3300
919-949-0943

Community Coalition Meeting

2005-10-18T11:10:00.000-04:00

The Committee for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill & Carrboro invites you to attend a coalition meeting to discuss on-going community-wide efforts to combat underage drinking/drug use, as well as to share future strategies to address this growing public health and safety concern.

The community coalition meeting is open-to-the-public. All citizens and stakeholders are encouraged to attend. (Please freely distribute this invitation.)

dalepratt-wilson@nc.rr.com

Dale Pratt-Wilson

Roses & Raspberries

2005-10-11T18:05:00.000-04:00

Dave Hart - The Chapel Hill News

Roses to Allison Finch, the Chapel Hill police officer who runs a program that teaches employees of bars and restaurants how to stay within the law when they serve alcohol.

The program is called BARS, for Be A Responsible Server, and it's a good one.

Bartenders and waits bear a sober responsibility, if you'll excuse the pun, to serve only those people who are legally allowed to drink -- meaning people who are at least 21 and not already drunk. Sounds pretty simple, but on any busy night it requires a lot of judgment calls, made very quickly: Is this driver's license legit, or is it a good fake? Is that customer so tipsy that it's time to cut him off, or is he OK for one more?

Given the consequences of bad calls on those decisions -- which can range from legal charges to the loss of a liquor license to the truly tragic, if a drunk customer gets behind the wheel -- it makes sense to give the people who make them some advanced training.

That's what Finch does. She educates bar and restaurant employees about the law. She cautions them about employees drinking in the workplace. She shows them how to spot fake IDs.

Finch and BARS perform a valuable service. Now if we could just get everybody to sign up for BARD -- Be A Responsible Drinker -- we'd really be getting somewhere.

Spotting Fake IDs 101

2005-10-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

By LEAH FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER, The Chapel Hill News

CHAPEL HILL -- Standing in front of a floor-to-ceiling wine cooler at Elaine's on Franklin, Police Officer Allison Finch pulled a plastic ID out of an envelope.

It's her favorite fake.

She uses the paper ID taped to a red, plastic YMCA blood donor card to make a point: Servers should ask customers to take their IDs out of their wallets.

It was just one of the tips Finch, who runs the Be a Responsible Server, or BARS, program, shared Friday afternoon with about two dozen employees of the ritzy downtown restaurant.

"I don't like to be there after people have made mistakes," she said.

The talk was timely.

On Oct. 5, an intoxicated driver employed by a downtown Chapel Hill bar hit a Carrboro woman and her guide dog, breaking the woman's leg and killing her dog, according to police.

Finch, who was invited by Elaine's management to speak, said drinking on the job is one of the biggest problems in bars.

"The minute you start drinking, you have to make sure you're not in a [restaurant] uniform," Finch said. "You can't [legally] do any sort of work. You can't walk into the kitchen or the office. You can't go anywhere a customer can't go."

If the employee leaves the bar or restaurant intoxicated, it's a major violation of North Carolina's Alcohol Beverage Control regulations, she said. The establishment can face a suspension of alcohol sales.

It's also illegal, Finch said, for an establishment to continue serving customers who are visibly drunk.

Accepting fake IDs is among the biggest violations, particularly in Chapel Hill bars, Finch said.

"We know people have fake IDs out there," Finch said. "If it looks credible, we are not going to hold you responsible. However, some of the IDs are really bad, and you are accountable for the bad ones."

Bret Jennings, Elaine's chef and owner, said he invited Finch to help his employees learn the ABC laws and understand their responsibility to the restaurant.

"People don't understand that it extends to me, the owner" if the restaurant is found in violation, he said. "They don't understand it can go beyond the scope of just someone getting drunk."

Contact staff writer Leah Friedman at 932-2002 or leahf@nando.com

Grant Could Help Keep Teens Off Drugs

2005-09-27T15:57:00.000-04:00

By MATT DEES, Staff Writer, News & Observer

CHAPEL HILL -- A local group plans to spend $1 million in resources over the next five years to reduce teenage drinking and drug use in Orange and Chatham counties, after it landed a federal grant last week.

The Community Backyard, a nonprofit group that works to improve mental health treatment for adolescents, received a $100,000 Drug Free Communities grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The grant can be renewed annually for five years, or $500,000, and the group must raise a matching $100,000 each year to get it.

The Community Backyard already has received cash and in-kind donations, such as experts' volunteer time, to match the first $100,000.

ABOUT THE GRANT

Congress created the Drug-Free Communities Program in 1997.

In December 2001, Congress passed and the president signed a five-year extension of the Drug-Free Communities Act, authorizing $399 million through fiscal year 2007.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy administers the program in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

For more information, see www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov and drugfreecommunities.samhsa.gov.

The group was one of 176 new grantees selected from 411 applicants, according to a news release.

"You have to have demonstrated results," Executive Director Isabel Geffner said.

"We were inquisitive. We were relentless. And we wrote a ... good grant proposal," she said.

The money will help enhance the work of The Community Backyard and its partner organization, the Committee for Alcohol- and Drug-Free Teenagers.

The latter group has gained attention over the past year as it has lobbied police to crack down on underage drinking, a problem group founder Dale Pratt-Wilson calls an epidemic.

Town hall meetings discussing ways to curb access to and change attitudes about underage drinking will continue in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area and begin in northern Orange County and Chatham County, Geffner said.

The groups will also start marketing campaigns to discourage young people from using drugs, alcohol or tobacco, and older people from condoning such activities, Pratt-Wilson said. It also plans to reach out to the local Latino and faith communities.

"We have to change the social norm from 'It's no big deal, everybody does it, I did it,' to 'It's unhealthy, it's unsafe, and it's illegal,' " Pratt-Wilson said.

Staff writer Matt Dees can be reached at 932-8760 or mdees@newsobserver.com.

Bracing for the Big Weekend

2005-08-25T10:31:00.000-04:00

By JESSICA ROCHA, Staff Writer, The Chapel Hill News

CHAPEL HILL -- A lone bottle of Rolling Rock perched prophetically on the porch at 309 McDade St. early this week.

Inside, UNC rising junior Charles McDonald sifted through piles of stuff in his bedroom, while senior Matt Byron graciously gave a reporter the grand tour.

The five upperclassmen who would be rooming together there were still trying to figure out what would go in the room between the kitchen and the living room.

"We might make this the beer pong room," said Byron, a 21-year-old history and business major.

This week, Chapel Hill police and university administrators are expecting the town's population to swell by the thousands as students arrive for fall semester. With them, they're expecting increased drinking, traffic and noise in neighborhoods that remain relatively quiet during the summer months.

"This weekend's going to be pretty crazy -- everybody comes back," Byron said.

Living off campus has become a rite of passage for the college set -- there's more freedom than living in the dorms. But as Byron and McDonald organized their living quarters, Chapel Hill police in the community policing division were coordinating a Friday neighborhood outing that is also on its way to becoming tradition.

For the second year, police and other members of civic and community groups will be knocking on hundreds of doors in neighborhoods surrounding campus on Friday, introducing themselves to students and asking them to think of their neighbors before throwing loud parties that could sprawl onto others' lawns or invade the ear drums of snoozing parents.

It's called the Good Neighbor Initiative, and it targets students in rental properties with packets of information and coupons from nearby stores.

"We are going to encourage them to ... pick up trash, look after their own area and report on suspicious activity," said Sgt. Kevin Gunter, who heads the Police Department's community services division.

Meantime, Chapel Hill police will add patrols on Franklin and Rosemary streets this weekend, also in anticipation of increased traffic and more drinking.

"What we are really concerned about are the first-year students in town who are here for the first time, and we don't want to see them get hurt or get out of hand," said Capt. Brian Curran.

This week cardboard boxes, junked sofas and lots and lots of beer and liquor bottles piled up outside homes throughout Northside. Delivery truck drivers unloaded mattresses, and roads and driveways filled with cars with out-of-state tags.

McDonald arrived from Charlotte Monday to sift through the abandoned remains from a previous tenant stacked up in his room.

A jumbo inflatable beer bottle and Boston Red Sox flag headed into another pile in the hall. The upholstered rocker eventually had to go. The Panthers helmet facemask was designated to a growing mound on the mattress of things that would stay put.

McDonald pulled out one of dozens of leftover 2005 basketball championship T-shirts he was selling last year. Another absent roommate named Sean, who the others joked was the "mom" of the group, reportedly made a quilt out of his surplus T-shirts for his girlfriend.

The goal was to straighten up and organize for the weekend, in case the group wanted to christen the house with its first party of the school year, "depending on what the cops say," Byron said.

Contact staff writer Jessica Rocha at 932-2008 or jrocha@newsobserver.com.

Modern Art?

2005-07-15T10:21:00.000-04:00

Dear Coalition Friends,

No, not a piece of modern art. Yes, our brand new mail box, just installed, replacing the last one which had been repeatedly vandalized ... didn't care much, thou, for the rocking chair as it was sort of on it's last legs anyway ... And, the kids say they ought to be allowed to drink because they know how to act responsibly.

Working to keep my sense of humor in tact....:)
Dale

Community Coalition Meeting

2005-07-11T13:17:00.000-04:00

The Committee for Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill and Carrboro invites you to attend its 2nd Coalition Lunch meeting on:

Thursday, July 21 at 12 noon at Squid's Restaurant

The purpose of this meeting is to continue the development of effective community-wide strategies aimed at reducing adolescent drinking and drug use and to report-in on the recent activities of the Coalition and it's various sub-committees.

The overall objectives of the Coalition are to:

1. Increase community awareness regarding the dangers and legal implications associated with underage substance use

2. Implement strategies that limit youth access to alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs

3. Change community "norms" regarding the acceptability of youth alcohol and drug use

4. Create environments in which young people can engage in health-promoting activities

5. Strengthen collaboration and communication between parents, law enforcement, schools, alcohol sales establishments, and other youth advocacies.
This Coalition involves stakeholders from the Chapel Hill and Carrboro communities, including parents, law enforcement, elected officials, local business, media, school officials, substance abuse professionals, youth advocates, faith and service-based organizations and adolescents. The Coalition is open to the public and new member participation is welcome. Please forward this to others who might be interested in this important work.

Meeting Location:
Squid's Restaurant
1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass,
Chapel Hill
(942-8757)

A complimentary lunch will be served.
Please kindly RSVP no later than Monday, July 18 so the food can be properly planned.
As always, we look forward to your participation.

Best regards,
Dale Pratt-Wilson

Parents...Don't Be A Party to Underage Drinking

2005-06-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Click here to view the informational
ad printed in the Chapel Hill News.

Youth Advocacy Committee

2005-05-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Youth Advocacy met this morning and decided that a next step for our committee would be to get some teens involved in helping develop drug/alcohol free social alternatives for kids. The mission of our committee is

To help kids make healthy choices by:

creating mentorship's
providing social outlets
encouraging parent-kid dialog
identifying leadership opportunities
offering Christian youth alternatives
establishing positive values
defining "a good time" without drugs or alcohol

We would like to get the student government at East and CHHS to support and advertise a meeting regarding this subject before school is out. Tuesday, May 24 or Wednesday, May 25 at lunch would work for our committee. We would need a room, some posters around school and several announcements over the PA. Ginny and Maxecine will make the contacts to set up the focus group.

Parents must become more vigilant

2005-05-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Parents must become more vigilant
Guest column

By LYNNE JOHNSTON

Parents of Chapel Hill-Carrboro teens, put on your detective hats and be very wary if you plan to have a teen party or even a few of your teens’ friends at your home. The party season is about to get into full swing with the Chapel Hill High prom on Saturday, followed by graduation and end of school social events.

The good news is that our police, like those in many other communities around the nation, are taking a strong and more thorough position on teen underage and illegal substance use. They are, as well, holding responsible the parents in whose homes the illegal substance use occurs. It doesn’t matter if the parents don’t know about it, don’t condone it and don’t provide it. Further, if you are not home, you are still legally responsible for what happens on your property.

The school board, with Stephanie Willis’ leadership as district health coordinator, also has passed a new set of guidelines to make the policies and consequences consistent school to school within the district. Also, there are consequences at school for illegal activity in the community. (See policy on the district Web site at www.chccs.k12.nc.us)

The bad news is that community norms change slowly; parental awareness is just beginning. Many of us are slow learners when it comes to handling substance use and teens. My own ability to handle this aspect of parenting was filled with many mistakes and many points of being utterly confused and unsure. I wanted to share what I and others on the CHHS Drug Alcohol Task Force had learned, and thus the inspiration came for writing the booklet, “Parent Power: Preventing Substance Use Before It Starts.” This booklet may be freely distributed, put on any school’s Web site and can be downloaded from the CHHS PTSA Web site (www.chhsptsa.org/ParentPower.pdf).

More bad news is that in our community it is likely that the teens themselves will be the last to change. Many of our teens are absolutely determined to use many different types of substances before, during and after school as well as during lunch, secretly in their homes and at any party they can find on the weekend. Not only do they sneak vodka into water and fruit drinks right under the watchful eyes of their teachers, but also they are likely to do this and much more at a gathering at your house.

A 16th birthday party in my neighborhood on April 22 ended with the parents receiving a criminal summons for “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”

Hopefully, all the facts will come out after the legal proceedings are over. These were not negligent parents. They are, in fact, very conscientious ones who had clearly and firmly communicated the party rules: “no alcohol, drugs or sex.” They were proactive and did everything within their knowledge base to provide a substance free party.

It was the first teen party they had hosted. Neither these parents nor many others (still learning the hard way through trial and error) knew that being proactive, firm and clear is not enough. Vigilance by constantly policing inside and out at random, frequent intervals is also evidently necessary. Being distrustful and suspicious seems to help, too.

At this now-famous party the uninvited guests outside, who were making enough noise for the police to be called, were trespassing as well as drinking and drugging. They were asked by the teen host to leave and were not allowed inside. He did not, however, tell his parents when they checked in on the party.

Dropping in on parties to which you are not invited and don’t know the host is common for teens who “party chase” in order to use substances and socialize. They will find homes, apartments, a park or the woods where they can use or where there are no adults around, unless they are the “cool” ones who provide or allow it.

One night out of 365 our community comes together with a whopper of a substance-free celebration for teens, Project Graduation. We need to do something about the other 364 days a year. We need to provide vigilantly supervised places for teens to hang out with fun activities. We need to establish a culture that supports and values teenage substance free entertainment. Slowly, they will want to come and it will become a community norm.

In the meantime, we need to do something about all the unhealthy factors in American society that put U.S. teens in second place in the world in substance use. What group places first? U.S. college freshmen with an average of 54 gallons of alcohol consumed per person in a year. This is an equally upsetting statistic.

The most concerning questions are why are U.S. teens so desperate to use and what can we do to stop this epidemic?

Join with us and help bring change. E-mail dalepratt-wilson@nc.rr.com and join The Committee for Drug and Alcohol Free Teens, which has expanded to 60 members and five subcommittees. Or, at CHHS, join the CHHS Drug Alcohol Task Force by e-mailing jwwise@chccs.k12.nc.us. The task force is looking for donations or grant money to run a second printing of “Parent Power” as well as a Spanish translation. For information e-mail lynnejohnston@nc.rr.com.

Lynne Johnston is a member of the CHHS Drug Alcohol Task Force.

The Facts About Youth & Alcohol

2005-05-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

Click here to view the informational
ad printed in the Chapel Hill News.

Coalition Follow-up

2005-05-03T19:09:00.000-04:00

Folks,

I have returned from NYC where I enjoyed a three-day stay and watching my very talented daughter perform. She is destined for stardom.

Enough bragging. Thank you all so much for attending Thursday's first Coalition meeting and for all the ideas you generated in sub-committee. I am delighted and humbled to be in the presence of such knowledgeable and hard-working people.

The majority signed up to work on Committees, outstanding. Some of you didn't because it wasn't appropriate or your involvement has limitations. This is fine, too. We understand those in attendance have varied levels of commitment and appreciate support at whatever level we can get it.

Isabel and I plan to be intimately involved in each of the sub-committees and one of us, if not both, will attend each meeting. I will be contacting the Committee co-chairs to find out when the next meeting is scheduled and provide them with the list of who's who.

Two of the Committee's have already scheduled their meetings:

* Education Committee (chaired by Wanda Boone and Dr Tina LaPage) is set for May 27th at 12:30 pm
* Youth Advocacy (chaired by Ginny Guilfoile and Maxeine Mitchell) is set for May 12th at 8:30 am

Click here for a table with all the contact info (and corrections, are there more?) It is divided-up into members of each sub-committee.

I am deeply grateful for your time and desire to make a difference.

Dale