Town Hall Meeting to Prevent Underage Drinking, April 23, 2012
For High School and Middle School Students and their Parents
April 23, 2012, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium
Underage drinking is a big problem nationally and in West Hartford .
30% of West Hartford High School Students reported drinking alcohol in the past month.
17% of all students report having been drunk in the past month.
56% of students who reported drinking in the past month also reported having been drunk at least once in the past month.
(Bi-annual West Hartford school survey, 2011)
WEST HARTFORD, CONN. - A Town Hall Meeting on underage drinking prevention entitled “ What’s the Buzz? Choices and Consequences ,” will be held on April 23, 2012 to raise awareness about underage drinking in West Hartford. Parents, teachers, officials, youth and other community members will hear from adult and youth experts on the consequences of underage drinking on teens and the entire community. The event, supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will include a panel discussion with local adult and teen experts who will offer tools and ways to keep children safe and tackle this problem in West Hartford.
Sponsors include the West Hartford Substance Abuse Prevention Commission, West Hartford Community of Concern, West Hartford Department of Human and Leisure Services and The Institute for Community Research, in collaboration with the Federal Government’s Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking. West Hartford clubs, sport teams and teen organizations are encouraged to attend. The group with the most members at the event will win $100, courtesy of Macca Plumbing and Heating.
Final winner determination will be at the sole discretion of the sponsor.
Town Hall Meeting on underage drinking prevention, “What’s the Buzz? Choices and Consequences”
6-7 PM: - Mini expo with community resources
- Musical entertainment by West Hartford teen performers
7-8:30 PM: - World Premiere of “New Years Eve Party,” a research-based video on underage drinking, written and acted by West Hartford teens.
- Panel discussion with local adult and teen experts on underage drinking issues raised in video
If you would like more information or interviews before/ after the meeting, please contact:
Jeff Bersin, Chair, West Hartford Substance Abuse Prevention Commission, email:whsapc.chair@comcast.net cell: (860) 463-9833
Robin Brennan, Chair, West Hartford Community of Concern, email:robin.brennan@raveis.com , cell: (860) 985-6795
Paige Nuzzolillo, Substance Abuse Prevention Research Educator, The Institute for Community Research, e-mail: paige.nuzzolillo@icrweb.org , (860) 278-2044 (ext. 293)