Amherst Task Force asks, have you seen it yet?
Of course, I am talking about the award-winning video - "Now It's Your Turn." We, here in Amherst, should consider ourselves fortunate for so many reasons. We live in a great place, we have wonderful schools, an excellent police department, caring government officials, outstanding young people and adults who are willing to get involved.

When the issue of alcohol and other drug abuse surfaced as a concern in Amherst (back in 1989) a group formed to address the concern. That group, still going strong, is known today as the Amherst Task Force for Healthy Community / Healthy Youth. This diverse group of community leaders, educators, parents, prevention professionals and youth-serving organizations meets monthly to strategize ways to build a safe, healthy community for us all.

In 2004 the group applied for, and was awarded, a Drug Free Community Grant to address underage drinking and marijuana use among our high school juniors and seniors and college freshman and sophomores. In order to impact these young people, the adults of the community need to all be on the same page as far as what is acceptable and what is not. Alcohol and drug use is too big a problem for us to ignore.

Summer is that time of year when things tend to get a little relaxed. That includes rules for parties and boundaries for young people. Although this is all well intentioned to allow young people to have more fun, adults need to remember that young people are counting on us to keep them safe.

I can't tell you the number of times I have heard of an adult who allowed young people to drink alcohol in their home because they felt that they could keep an eye on them. It is time to set the record straight on that excuse. I call it an excuse because I know how hard it is to be that "mean" parent who sticks to their standards when some people around you are allowing kids to "have fun." Early alcohol and other drug use by young people is wrong for a number of reasons.

1) Addiction is a developmental disease - it typically begins in childhood or adolescence. Drugs change brains. One of the brain areas still maturing during adolescence is the prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain that enables us to assess situations, make sound decisions and keep our emotions and desires under control. The fact that this critical part of an adolescent's brain is still a work-in-progress puts them at increased risk for peer decisions (such as trying drugs or continued abuse). Thus introducing drugs while the brain is still developing may have profound and long-lasting consequences.

2) Children, who are "allowed" to drink at home, drink more when they are out than those children who are not allowed to drink at home. Kids who are allowed to drink at home are more than three times more likely to be a casualty of drinking and driving. Some 5.8 percent of kids who are not allowed to drink versus 18.5 percent of kids who are allowed to drink report drinking and driving or being in a car where someone else is drinking and driving.

3) Alcohol use by minors and illicit drug use is illegal. Why would an adult knowingly allow (and encourage) a young person to break the law? What kind of an

example does that set for breaking other laws? Is it okay to steal a little, rape a little and kill a little? I don't think so. So why is it OK for young people to drink a little? Alcohol/ drugs are deadly in the wrong hands.

Parenting is a really tough job.

Probably the toughest you will ever have. And it is not something you can give up on or resign from. It is forever and your children deserve to have a strong parent who will set boundaries and expectations for behavior.

If you have not yet watched the video, "Now It's Your Turn" I encourage you to call Anne Rohrer (631-7215) to arrange to see it. Every parents needs to know what their child already knows.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Send a note to the Amherst Task Force, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst, N.Y. 14226 or e-mail Sally@eccpasa.info.