On February 24, local students dedicated to reducing minors' access to alcohol and curbing underage drinking walked the red carpet for the premiere of Wasted: The Truth of Underage Drinking in Sacramento, held at the Folsom Police Department.
"This film highlights strategies that students, families, and community leaders are using to make effective and lasting positive change," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon.
With the assistance of the Butte County Department of Behavioral Health, the documentary was shot over the course of a year. It illustrates the problem of underage drinking and binge drinking in Sacramento County.
"I really believe in preventing this issue and it's really nice for student advocates to get a voice. It's nice for people to realize that teenagers aren't just a problem but they can be part of the solution as well," said Vista del Lago student Jamie Jordan, who was featured in the film.
"My values are such that I want to make the world a better place—a better place for me, my family, and my friends," said Shreya Acharya, a Sutter Middle School student. Acharya was also interviewed for the documentary.
The film was produced by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) and funded in part by the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant provided through the Sacramento County Department of Behavioral Health Services.
"This film not only provides inspiration, but also a framework for community change," said Sergeant Eric Heichlinger of the Folsom Police Department.
Partnering organizations involved with the documentary project included the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, the Folsom Police Department, and SCOE.