Districts target underaged drinking
March 16, 2016
This is an exciting time of year for teens who are preparing for prom and graduation. Unfortunately, too often that excitement leads to alcohol consumption. Richland School District Two’s The Project CARE Coalition and Lexington School District Two’s Rise Above It Community Coalition are all too familiar with the statistics and the impact drinking booze has on young people. Together they are targeting underage drinking and bringing the community together to raise awareness.
The 2016 Communities Talk: Town Hall Meeting to Prevent Underage Drinking will take place from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 6 at the Richland Two District Auditorium located on the campus of Richland Northeast High School, 7500 Brookfield Road, Columbia, SC. The exhibitor showcase starts at 5:30 p.m.
Javana Lovett, director of Project CARE, says it’s important for parents to not only talk to their children about the risks but to take steps to influence their decision not to consume alcohol.
“Children under the age of 21 are dying each year as a result of underage drinking. Those deaths occur in a variety of ways, including car crashes, suicides, homicides, falls and other injuries sustained while under the influence,” said Lovett. “We need everyone’s help to prevent these tragedies.”
Project CARE and Rise Above It are funded by a grant from the Drug-Free Communities Support Program in Washington, D.C. Project CARE seeks to create conditions that empower families, schools, and communities to reduce substance abuse and other high risk behaviors. The Town Hall is one of several initiatives targeting underage drinking. The “Out of Their Hands” campaign will be underway April through June, emphasizing to parents, caregivers, merchants and community members that providing alcohol to minors is against the law. During April, Project Sticker Shock volunteers will place stickers and bottle hangers on alcoholic beverages in partnership with BI-LO, Food Lion, and Kroger supermarkets warning consumers not to purchase alcohol for minors.
For those who cannot attend, the Town Hall meeting will be streamed live on the Richland Two website: www.richland2.org. Ask your questions about underage drinking using #R2CARES on Twitter. Grow Financial Federal Credit Union is a sponsor of this event. Participants are asked to register by April 2 at http://r2communitiestalk2016.eventbrite.com.
