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It may not be the real thing, but with young actors and the appropriate props, organizers said Wednesday’s “reality party” will give adults an inside look at what really goes on during a teenage drinking party.
“Many adults believe drinking is a rite of passage and think drinking and parties are the same as they were when they were young,” said Gwynn Busby, director of the Ardmore Prevention Resource Center.
Busby said her agency is staging the teen house party re-enactment to help parents understand the dangers that young people face regarding underage and binge drinking. Parents and other adults will have an opportunity to visit a private home in Ardmore that will be set up for a simulated teen party that includes alcohol.
Adults will have an opportunity to tour the home and see various activities that have become a “normal” part of today’s high school parties.
“There are things happening at parties here in Ardmore that parents need to be aware of,” she said.
“Unfortunately, binge drinking is becoming commonplace on any given weekend and community throughout the state,” another resource center official said. “It almost seems some parents are completely unaware of the consequences of these activities — unplanned sexual encounters, fights and even arrests are all possibilities.”
Busby said she hopes parents will attend the reality party and help spread the word about the dangers of underage drinking.
More than 75 communities across the state have adopted social host ordinances that hold accountable anyone who knowingly hosts or allows a party where youth younger than 21 are drinking alcoholic beverages.
The ordinances are designed to reduce teenagers’ access to alcohol, reduce binge drinking and hold teens and adults accountable for their behavior.
“One of the main reasons we chose Ardmore is because Ardmore has not passed a social host ordinance,” Busby said.
The tours will begin at 4 p.m. and run every hour through 9 p.m. Tours will last approximately 30 minutes with a short discussion period afterwards.
The address and a confirmed tour time will be provided when a tour is reserved.
For reservations and information, call (580) 490-9197 or e-mail rshilen@wmpn.org.
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in conjunction with the 18 area prevention resource centers, will conduct reality parties across the state on Wednesday.
The Ardmore Area Prevention Resource Center is a satellite office of Wichita Mountains Prevention Network. It is a substance abuse prevention nonprofit agency funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Steve Biehn, 221-6546
It may not be the real thing, but with young actors and the appropriate props, organizers said Wednesday’s “reality party” will give adults an inside look at what really goes on during a teenage drinking party.
“Many adults believe drinking is a rite of passage and think drinking and parties are the same as they were when they were young,” said Gwynn Busby, director of the Ardmore Prevention Resource Center.
Busby said her agency is staging the teen house party re-enactment to help parents understand the dangers that young people face regarding underage and binge drinking. Parents and other adults will have an opportunity to visit a private home in Ardmore that will be set up for a simulated teen party that includes alcohol.
Adults will have an opportunity to tour the home and see various activities that have become a “normal” part of today’s high school parties.
“There are things happening at parties here in Ardmore that parents need to be aware of,” she said.
“Unfortunately, binge drinking is becoming commonplace on any given weekend and community throughout the state,” another resource center official said. “It almost seems some parents are completely unaware of the consequences of these activities — unplanned sexual encounters, fights and even arrests are all possibilities.”
Busby said she hopes parents will attend the reality party and help spread the word about the dangers of underage drinking.
More than 75 communities across the state have adopted social host ordinances that hold accountable anyone who knowingly hosts or allows a party where youth younger than 21 are drinking alcoholic beverages.
The ordinances are designed to reduce teenagers’ access to alcohol, reduce binge drinking and hold teens and adults accountable for their behavior.
“One of the main reasons we chose Ardmore is because Ardmore has not passed a social host ordinance,” Busby said.
The tours will begin at 4 p.m. and run every hour through 9 p.m. Tours will last approximately 30 minutes with a short discussion period afterwards.
The address and a confirmed tour time will be provided when a tour is reserved.
For reservations and information, call (580) 490-9197 or e-mail rshilen@wmpn.org.
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in conjunction with the 18 area prevention resource centers, will conduct reality parties across the state on Wednesday.
The Ardmore Area Prevention Resource Center is a satellite office of Wichita Mountains Prevention Network. It is a substance abuse prevention nonprofit agency funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Steve Biehn, 221-6546
