“Think. Don’t Drink” Town Hall to Address
Underage Drinking
(Santa Ana) –
By the time children
in Orange County reach the 5th grade, 24% will have used alcohol,
and that number increases to more than 59% by the time youth reach the 11th
grade. To address the issue of underage drinking during Alcohol Awareness
Month in April, a town hall event with the theme “Think. Don’t Drink: A
Family Fun Night” will be held on Thursday, April 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the
Whitten Community Center located at 900 S. Melrose Ave. in Placentia.
Hosted by the City of
Placentia Human Services, PAL® Peer Assistance Leadership Chapter
of Valencia High School and the County of Orange Health Care Agency, Alcohol
and Drug Education and Prevention Team (ADEPT), the event will feature
interactive educational booths and a panel of speakers who will discuss the
dangers of underage drinking and prevention strategies.
The event will also
include activities for the family to participate in together and attendees
will have an opportunity to judge posters created by Valencia High School
and Kramer Middle School students who participated in a Pal®
youth poster contest based on the theme “Think. Don’t Drink.”
The problem of
underage drinking has been documented by several recent studies. Research
indicates that children who drink before the age of 15 are five times more
likely to have alcohol problems when they reach adulthood. On the other
hand, children and teens are less likely to abuse alcohol if parents are
involved in their children’s lives, make and enforce clear rules, and are
positive role models.
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