Parents acknowledge underage drinking is a real problem in WNY
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

To think that underage drinking isn't happening in Amherst schools is naive, is the message of a presentation being held tonight at the Amherst Middle School, 55 Kings Highway.

The roundtable discussion, which is open to the public, is scheduled from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

Isabell Posner, program chair for the Parent Teacher Student Association at Amherst Middle and High schools, said underage drinking is happening and parents need to open their eyes to it.

"Its happening in every community. For a parent or official to think its not is naive," she said.

Recently Clarence and Cheektowaga Sloan high schools have taken disciplinary action against students caught drinking.

Tonight's program, called "Parent Time," will also include an award-winning DVD produced by the Amherst Task Force for Healthy Community* Healthy Youth titled "Now It's Your Turn..."

The DVD has been produced to alert parents and professionals to the dangers of underage drinking and marijuana use in the Town of Amherst.

Immediately following the presentations, there will be an interactive dialogue among school administrators, town officials, parents and youth regarding underage drinking and drug use.

Scheduled to appear are Amherst town Justice Geoffrey Klein, Det. Sgt. Michael Torrillo from the Amherst Police Department, Sally Yageric from the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Anne Rohrer from the Amherst Task Force for Healthy Community*Healthy Youth, staff of the Amherst Youth Board and students from Amherst High School.

"Parents can sit with other parents and talk honestly about what is going on," Posner said, adding if the program helps prevent one student from drinking, and especially from drinking and driving, then it will be a success.

For more information, call Anne Rohrer at the Amherst Youth Board at 631-7215 or Posner from the Amherst PTSA at 866-1277.