By Pastor Jim Varney, ENOUGH president
Dec. 17, 2008 — ENOUGH and the Carter County Drug Task Force is offering some information and Tips To Help along with Partnership For A Drug Free America. Pastor Jim Varney who serves as president of ENOUGH says that prevention and awareness education are the most needed tools we can offer. Therefore, those who are laboring faithfully for a Drug Free Carter County have agreed to offer Tips For Help over the next few weeks. Information will be taken from an organization called Parents the Anti-Drug. You can access this resource by visiting their website (ParentingTips@TheAntiDrug.com). In addition Pastor Varney is willing to come to churches, clubs, or any interested group and offer “How to Drug Proof Your Kids” as a seminar. The march on September 30, 2007 continues.
Every now and then it seems you get uplifted in your spirit just when you need it. That is exactly what I received at the last meeting of the Carter County Drug Task Force. Joining our meting on that day were to young ladies from East Carter High School. They spoke very effectively to us about a very subtle approach the industry is using to introduce and deceive our younger folks into the influence of alcohol abuse. We sometimes get so engulfed with what we see as the “drug problem”, we forget that the most abused and the biggest contributor to drug abuse is alcohol.
Fact
Teen Driving: Drugged? Drunk? Distracted?
Each day in this country, as many as 9,000 16 and 17 year-old drivers get behind the wheel of a car. With this responsibility comes great risk. Driving - age teenagers have the highest overall crash rates of any age group, and traffic are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds. Drugs, alcohol, and driver distractions increase teens’ crash risks. As teens take to the roads, parents can take action by talking about dangers of drunk, drugged, and distracted driving.
Teens are just as likely to drive under the influence of marijuana as alcohol.
• Thirteen percent of high school seniors reported driving under the influence of marijuana, a number nearly equivalent to those who reported driving under the influence of alcohol(14%), despite higher prevalence of alcohol consumption among teens.
• High school students are more likely to drink, smoke cigarettes, and smoke marijuana in the month after earning their drivers license.
• Thirteen percent of 12th graders reported that they usually smoke marijuana in a car, and eight percent reported they usually drink beer in a car.
• In 2006 30 percent of high school seniors reported driving after drinking heavily or using drugs, or riding in a car whose driver had been drinking heavily or using drugs, at least once in the prior two weeks.
• Thirty-eight percent of teens report seeing passengers smoking pot in a car with a teen driver.
Having given just a few facts; let’s get back to the presentation from two of our young people to a group of adults. These two young ladies went into detail about how easy it is for kids, parents, and retailers to become confused, as alcoholic beverages are made to look like and are displayed with the new fad of power drinks that have become an addiction themselves. The greatest warning and concern from these presenters is for parents to realize that these alcoholic beverages are stocked and displayed with these power drinks and it is incredibly simple to confuse the two. This could actually result in parents buying alcohol for their children without being aware. Definitely something to think about!!!
I was impressed and informed, as one of my goals is now being addressed by teens themselves. I greatly appreciate you young ladies and the leadership that is working with you. So when you see Savannah Smith or Shae Criswell give them a great big smile, a pat on the back, and encouraging words for their hard work and courage.
Savannah and Shae are working with MADD representative Tara McGuire and Melanie Franks at East Carter High School along with others in an effort to keep our kids safe, healthy, and precious to us all.
Thank You Shae.
Thank You Savannah.
Thank You Tara, Melanie, and all those that are working with you.
If you would like to see this presentation, contact Melanie Franks at ECHS. These kids are moving forward and will be entering regional competition and possibly state competition and you greatest show of support would be to allow them to practice on your church or civic group.
