Middle school members of the Club Live Program, in Sacramento County, are conducting a community gathering to increase awareness of underage drinking, identify how underage drinking impacts the community and brainstorm possible solutions.
On Thursday April 15, 2010, students at Sutter Middle School (715 Riley Street, Folsom), in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, will conduct a town hall meeting. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and a light dinner will be served. This is an opportunity for parents, teachers, officials, youth and other community members to learn about the problem, voice their concerns and offer suggestions for preventing young people from using alcohol.
The student-led project is a cooperation involving the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), Friday Night LIVE/Club LIVE, the California Office of Traffic Safety, and the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Participating students conducted surveys to determine if and how their peers were accessing alcohol. They also conducted surveys with key community stakeholders, including law enforcement officers, school administrators and parents. They will share their findings and lead the discussion on what can be done to address these important issues. Student members of Friday Night Live and Club Live programs from high schools and middle schools throughout the county will also attend and share results from assessment activities conducted on their campuses.
Participating Districts and Schools:
- Cordova High School (Folsom Cordova Unified School District)
- Del Campo High School (San Juan Unified School District)
- El Camino High School (San Juan Unified School District)
- Franklin High School (Elk Grove Unified School District)
- Mitchell Middle School (Folsom Cordova Unified School District)
- Rio Linda High School (Twin Rivers Unified School District)
- Sheldon High School (Elk Grove Unified School District)
- Sutter Middle School (Folsom Cordova Unified School District)
Some important facts about underage drinking facts:
- Alcohol is the most widely abused substance among America's youth.
- 14% of tenth graders and 28% of twelfth graders reported being drunk at least once in the last month.
- Each year approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking. (Source: SAMHSA, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services)
For more information about the town hall meeting or Friday Night Live programs, contact Joelle Orrock, Coordinator, Friday Night Live/Club Live: (916) 228-2418.