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Teach-In held as part of Alcohol Awareness Month
"Most fifth and sixth-grade children in our community are not consuming alcohol, but it is a decision many of our youth face. How wisely they choose is up to all of us," states Stacie Anderson, Prevention Specialist with Crawford Abuse Resistant Effort (C.A.R.E.) of Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital.
C.A.R.E has joined with the Substance Abuse Administration and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S Department of Health and Human Services to raise public awareness about the dangers of underage drinking, as a part of a nationwide effort and in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month.
C.A.R.E. held a “Reach Out Now Teach-In” for fifth grade students at St. Gabe's, Bluff View, Seneca and ECHOES Schools on April 3.
Children and teens in Crawford County need to know how to reject underage drinking and the harmful effects on their health, today and tomorrow," adds Rick Peterson, C.A.R.E. Director, on why the teach-ins were important.
"In one study, 10% of nine and ten-year-olds say that they have already started drinking alcohol. Statistics shows that by the time they reach the eighth grade, nearly 50% of adolescents have had at least one drink, and 20% report having been drunk,” Anderson said.
The teach-in’s were led by prominent community leaders, and covered why young people should reject underage drinking and how they can resist peer pressure to use alcohol.
Prominent community leaders who led the lessons were Kathy Quamme, St Gabes; Bonnie Homuth, Bluff View; Barbara Schroeder, Seneca; and Tracy Morovits, ECHOES. These schools were among hundreds of schools nationwide to hold a Teach-In for fifth graders during April 3-7.
The discussion about the harmful effects of underage drinking cannot stop at the school door. C.A.R.E. reminds area parents to talk with your child about alcohol. A clear and consistent message at school and at home that underage alcohol use is dangerous and unacceptable will reinforce a child's ability to make healthy decisions.
For more information about this subject log on to www.teachin.samsha.gov.
To learn more about C.A.R.E. programs call 608-357-2083, or email us at carecncl@mhtc.net.
C.A.R.E. holds regular meetings the last Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the County Administration Building. Persons interested in being involved in substance abuse prevention efforts are encouraged to attend.
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