2008 Woodie Awards
THS tries to curb alcohol use
High school to utilize device on teenagers entering prom
Allison Cole
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Community
Dan Urra, coalition administrator with Miami's Student Health Services, said students at Miami work closely with this group to create alternatives to drinking and promote prevention methods.
He said that all communities where there is a close university campus and community tie experiences the influence of college students to high school students. He said part of the work these groups do together is in hopes of having college students understand the influence their actions can have on a younger audience.
"It is important to remember that the college students' behavior doesn't just affect themselves," Urra said. "There is always
someone watching."
Another group Urra emphasized as being important not just for parents but for anyone who can legally purchase alcohol is Parents Who Host Loose the Most. While this group is aimed at informing parents of the dangers of underage drinking, Urra said it is important to relate its messages to anyone overage who could potentially purchase alcohol for minors.
This group, in addition to informing parents of the dangers of underage drinking, also discusses the health and legal consequences of teen substance abuse - a concern that Talawanda High School principal Vicki Brunn said is evident among parents this year with no after-prom party hosted by
the school.
Brunn said this is the first year that no prom after party will occur for students, and parents are showing concern.
Among the reasons for no party are cost and liability issues, along with difficulty in getting enough parents involved to host the event.
But Brunn said this does not mean teens cannot be safe after
the prom.
"There are a lot of things families can do after prom to keep kids safe," Brunn said.
She also said she hopes the new Ohio law restricting teen drivers from driving with a certain number of passengers and at certain times of the night helps with the issue of free time for teens after prom.
"We want everyone to feel they can be at this school in a healthy atmosphere," Macechko said.
He said that all communities where there is a close university campus and community tie experiences the influence of college students to high school students. He said part of the work these groups do together is in hopes of having college students understand the influence their actions can have on a younger audience.
"It is important to remember that the college students' behavior doesn't just affect themselves," Urra said. "There is always
someone watching."
Another group Urra emphasized as being important not just for parents but for anyone who can legally purchase alcohol is Parents Who Host Loose the Most. While this group is aimed at informing parents of the dangers of underage drinking, Urra said it is important to relate its messages to anyone overage who could potentially purchase alcohol for minors.
This group, in addition to informing parents of the dangers of underage drinking, also discusses the health and legal consequences of teen substance abuse - a concern that Talawanda High School principal Vicki Brunn said is evident among parents this year with no after-prom party hosted by
the school.
Brunn said this is the first year that no prom after party will occur for students, and parents are showing concern.
Among the reasons for no party are cost and liability issues, along with difficulty in getting enough parents involved to host the event.
But Brunn said this does not mean teens cannot be safe after
the prom.
"There are a lot of things families can do after prom to keep kids safe," Brunn said.
She also said she hopes the new Ohio law restricting teen drivers from driving with a certain number of passengers and at certain times of the night helps with the issue of free time for teens after prom.
"We want everyone to feel they can be at this school in a healthy atmosphere," Macechko said.
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