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Parents and other adults in Ardmore got a first-hand look at a teen drinking party Wednesday. What they saw was sobering.
Although a group of high school actors portrayed the teen drinkers, Gwynn Busby, director of the Ardmore Prevention Resource Center, said it was an accurate look at what actually occurs at parties in Ardmore. The scenarios played out during the “reality party” included binge drinking, drinking games, a fight, a visit by an Internet predator, an unplanned sexual encounter and a confrontation between the party’s adult host and a police officer. Scores of empty beer cans and pizza boxes gave the home the feel of an actual 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,” Busby said.
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in conjunction with the area prevention resource centers, conducted 18 reality parties in communities across the state Wednesday. Free tours were conducted at one-hour intervals.
A panel that included Ardmore police officers Kevin Norris and Keith Ingle, along with Karen Tadych of the AGAPE project and Nan May of YW8, led a discussion after the party tour.
Busby said her agency staged the teen house party re-enactment to help parents understand the dangers that young people face regarding underage and binge drinking.
“Our intent was not to scare you,” Busby said. “We wanted to show you this is not just about drinking and driving.”
More than 75 communities across the state, including Marietta, Tishomingo, Madill and Kingston, have adopted social host ordinances that hold accountable anyone who knowingly hosts or allows a party where anyone younger than 21 is 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.
When asked what parents and adults can do to combat underage drinking in Ardmore, Busby said, “pass a social host ordinance and then enforce it and report underage drinking when you know about it.”
Steve Biehn, 221-6546
Parents and other adults in Ardmore got a first-hand look at a teen drinking party Wednesday. What they saw was sobering.
Although a group of high school actors portrayed the teen drinkers, Gwynn Busby, director of the Ardmore Prevention Resource Center, said it was an accurate look at what actually occurs at parties in Ardmore. The scenarios played out during the “reality party” included binge drinking, drinking games, a fight, a visit by an Internet predator, an unplanned sexual encounter and a confrontation between the party’s adult host and a police officer. Scores of empty beer cans and pizza boxes gave the home the feel of an actual 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,” Busby said.
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in conjunction with the area prevention resource centers, conducted 18 reality parties in communities across the state Wednesday. Free tours were conducted at one-hour intervals.
A panel that included Ardmore police officers Kevin Norris and Keith Ingle, along with Karen Tadych of the AGAPE project and Nan May of YW8, led a discussion after the party tour.
Busby said her agency staged the teen house party re-enactment to help parents understand the dangers that young people face regarding underage and binge drinking.
“Our intent was not to scare you,” Busby said. “We wanted to show you this is not just about drinking and driving.”
More than 75 communities across the state, including Marietta, Tishomingo, Madill and Kingston, have adopted social host ordinances that hold accountable anyone who knowingly hosts or allows a party where anyone younger than 21 is 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.
When asked what parents and adults can do to combat underage drinking in Ardmore, Busby said, “pass a social host ordinance and then enforce it and report underage drinking when you know about it.”
Steve Biehn, 221-6546
