Topics discussed at the meeting included problems related to underage drinking, factors that contribute to underage drinking, and steps the community and each individual can take to reduce underage drinking in Carroll County. The top three problems discussed were lack of communication between kids and parents, easy access of alcohol to kids (they get alcohol from parents' houses, older siblings, and even the parents themselves), and the general overall relationship with today's youth (whether it be between the community or parents and kids). The top three factors were lack of parental knowledge (many don't know they're kids are drinking or know the facts of underage drinking), access of alcohol, and the crumbling family structure (kids are having to grow up at an increasing younger age). Steps the community can take including providing and enforcing consequences (if kids get caught, they get in trouble: punished, grounded, kicked off school related groups, arrested, etc.), have less access and even use of alcohol (cutting down on beer tents at local community events, etc.) and providing alternative activities (something kids can do on the weekends besides go to parties and drink). Things an individual can do includes calling the Drug Stoppers Hotline (a hotline like Crime Stoppers used to report the illegal use of alcohol and drugs) to report underage drinking, creating more fear of getting caught, and enforcing punishment for those who get caught.

Sadly, with programs such as D.A.R.E. being pulled from schools, there's not much education on alcohol usage and abuse, etc. in schools, especially in grade schools. Waiting until high school is proving to be too late to start trying to educate students since many are already drinking by that age. One suggested idea was to have kids educate kids, a positive peer influence. Have high schools speak with and educate middle school students and have the middle school students go talk to the grade schoolers. Kids listen more to other kids than they do to adults. Younger kids look up and admire older kids more than adults as well, so maybe being educated by peers would be more effective.

Around thirty people attending Thursday's meeting. Addressing the audience was 15th Judicail Circuit Court Judge Val Gunnarsson (at right, discussing the meeting with an attendee). Those attended were from all though out Carroll County and covered a broad range of ages. Future meetings are sure to come and more are invited to attend.

The event was sponsored by the Carroll Co. Substance Education Coalition, the U of I Ext., and Sinnissippi Centers Inc.

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