Youth drinking focus of meeting
Monday, May 12, 2008
FAIRFIELD —Parents who host lose the most.
It is a catch phrase that many parents understand, said Fairfield resident Pat Van Oflen.
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Still, some haven't gotten the message.
"There's a lot of parents that still don't have the awareness that it is a law that they cannot serve alcohol to other people's children," she said.
That message will again be reinforced at 8 p.m. today, May 12, in the Fairfield City Building Council Chambers during a town hall meeting. Speakers will address the law, dangers involved with breaking it and the health concerns of underage drinking. Funded by a $2,000 educational grant with the Drug-Free Action Alliance of Ohio, the local group, in partnership with area law enforcement, has launched an advertising campaign placing messages on pizza boxes, posting signs in businesses and sending letters home to parents.
"It is important at this time of the year for parents to be involved with the high school-age youth," said Fairfield Police Chief Mike Dickey. "We're making an effort this year to have a tragedy-free prom and graduating season. It's going to take not only the schools and the police, but the parents' involvement as well to ensure their kids make it through this season."
The meeting is a call to action, Van Oflen said. Speakers will include Dickey, Dr. Dale Yu of Mercy Fairfield, Fairfield High School Students Against Destructive Decisions director Emily Bruestle, youth representative Mallory Coburn, parent Jenny Brodsky, chief of township police Richard St. John, Brent Devery of the Ohio Control Liquor board, Mayor D'Epifanio, Jolyn Hurwitz of Butler County Children and Family First Council, Rob Clevenger of Butler County Juvenile Courts and Chris Skolnik, supervisor of nurses at Fairfield City Schools.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.
