Park Rapids is one of hundreds of communities nationwide that will hold an Underage Drinking Prevention: National Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, March 28 to discuss and raise awareness about the issue of underage drinking.
The theme is "start talking before they start drinking."
Parents, teens and community members are invited to the event, which will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Northwoods Bank community room.
The Town Hall Meeting will feature a panel and presentation on the impact underage drinking has on the community.
Members of the panel will be sheriff Gary Mills, probation officer Pam Kaseman, educator and parent Lisa Coborn, school-home interventionist Heidi Wormley, Rachel Mueller of Pine Manor and others, including a student and member of the local medical staff.
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Following the panel discussion and a time for questions and answers, the short video, "Smashed" will be shown. A packet of information, including local resources, will be available.
New data shows approximately 29 percent of youth, ages 12 to 20, have used alcohol illegally. By the time they reach eighth grade, 41 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink and almost 20 percent report having been "drunk."
The town hall meetings are intended to raise awareness about the risks and consequences of underage drinking and the value of parents discussing the issue with their children.
The annual Proud to be Chemically Free Weekend precedes the Town Hall Meeting. Activities are planned Thursday through Sunday, March 23-26 in Nevis and Park Rapids.
In order to participate, students are asked to sign a pledge stating why they wish to be alcohol free and have a friend sign it with them.
Students, who commit to the pledge to make healthy choices and stay chemically free for the weekend, will receive wristbands entitling them to discounts at area businesses.
Nevis High School students will participate in a mock crash exercise Thursday, March 23.
Friday, there will be speakers at Park Rapids Area High School during the school day and from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Friday evening there will be a dance at Nevis, open to students from both schools.
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A pool party for all ages is planned from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in Park Rapids, followed by a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for high school age students and adults at Century School. There will be a captain's meeting at 4 p.m. with play starting at 4:30. Winning teams will receive "proud to be chemically free" T-shirts.
A "night owl" movie will be showing at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Park Theatre.
Sunday there will be open gym from 4 to 6 pm. at Nevis.
Participants in the dance Friday and pool party and basketball tournament Saturday will be eligible for a drawing for three I pod players to be given away.
The Hubbard County Youth Issues Network, in collaboration with the Park Rapids Schools, St. Joseph's Area Health Services and the federal government's Interagency Coordinating Committee for the Prevention of Underage Drinking, are sponsoring the Town Hall Meeting and other local events.
For more information, contact Barb Thomason at 237-6552, Mari Jo Lohmeier at 237-5596 or Heidi Wormley or Katrina Carrier at 652-3500.
