Prevention of underage drinking vital to fulfilling our responsibility

To The Daily Sun,

Did you know that 35 percent of New Hampshire 12-20-year-olds reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days – while nationally the number is closer to 25 percent?

On Thursday, May 29th, the Franklin Mayor's Drug Task Force will be hosting a "Town Hall' style meeting on the topic of underage drinking. All community members are invited to attend as an opportunity to increase awareness on how underage drinking is affecting the health of our youth and the safety of our communities.

Despite steady decreases in underage drinking, too many of our young people are using alcohol illegally and dangerously. SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 9.3 million 12- to 20-year-olds — or about one in four young people in this age bracket — reported alcohol use during 2012. The problem begins while children are young, and then increases dramatically with age — this is known as the maturation effect. According to the Monitoring the Future survey, 22.1 percent of eighth-grade students reported using alcohol during 2013, and 8.4 percent reported having been drunk. Among graduating high school seniors, 62 percent had used alcohol during their senior year, and 43.5 percent reported having been drunk.

The consequences of underage drinking are costly — and often severe. Underage drinking contributes to brain impairment, academic problems, alcohol dependence, risky sexual activity, injury, and death from alcohol poisoning, injuries, suicide, and homicide. On average, approximately 4,700 youth die from alcohol-related causes each year.

The Franklin Mayor's Drug Task Force invites you to learn the truth about underage drinking and get answers as to why teens start drinking and what is happening on a local level. You will also learn what protective factors are the most effective in guiding children and youth toward good choices and healthy decision making.

Caregivers of the next generation have a responsibility to create communities in which our young people can grow into responsible, healthy adults. Prevention of underage drinking is vital to fulfilling this responsibility, and now is a critical time to act. The next few months are critical as youth take part in proms, graduation celebrations, and other seasonal activities where they may feel increased pressure to drink. Summer is also fast approaching. Did you know that more teens start drinking in June and July than any other month? Add prevention as one of your springtime activities and participate in the Franklin Mayor's Drug Task Force Town Hall meeting to prevent underage drinking, protect our children, and help your community spring into action.

Panelists for the evening will include Franklin Police Chief, David Goldstein and Traci Fowler the Regional Partners in Substance Misuse Prevention Coordinator.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 29th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Bessie Rowell Community Center in Franklin. A free dinner will be provided along with childcare for children ages three and up. For more information, or to register contact the Franklin Mayor's Drug Task Force at 998-5337 or e-mail taskforceinfo@franklinnh.org.

Melissa Rizzo

Mayor's Drug Task Force

Franklin