November 23, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

The straight facts on alcohol

by Alexandria Rocha

While colleges across the country crack down on student alcohol abuse, some Palo Altans are trying to curb underage drinking through a tried-and-true method: scaring youths and their parents "straight."

A community forum last week, centered around the theme "Reality Check," attracted hundreds of parents and a number of students, who received class credit for attending the event. Held at the school district's Churchill Avenue office, the forum was sponsored by the Palo Alto Collaborative to Reduce Underage Alcohol and Drug Use.

The night's guest speakers, which included a Peninsula-based drug counselor, a Palo Alto police officer and a deputy district attorney, were blatant in their message -- when minors drink, bad things happen.

Last month, an Albany High School student was rushed from a homecoming dance to the hospital with a 0.9 percent blood-alcohol level. The student survived, but others have not been so lucky. Donna Lera, a drug counselor in Redwood City, reminded audience members about Adrian Heideman, a Palo Alto High School graduate who died of alcohol poisoning in 2000 while pledging a fraternity at California State University, Chico.

"Youth don't understand that alcohol is a poison. It can be fatal," Lera said.

Palo Alto has a problem with underage drinking, officials said. In a survey conducted last spring, about 250 middle and high school students said they drink alcohol at least once a week. About 100 students said they have cut class, ignored school work and suffered damaged relationships in the past year because of alcohol.

The same survey, which is part of a controversial district-wide "social norming" project, also revealed that more than 900 students recently rode in a car with someone who had been drinking. More than 300 high-school students said they had driven a car under the influence in the past year. The "social norming" program is meant to show students that "not everybody's doing it." However, the data gathered has created some serious concerns among community members.

In the last year, Palo Alto police have arrested 18 minors for being drunk in public, 26 for possession of marijuana, and nine for possession of tobacco.

"The problem is manageable in Palo Alto. It's not out of control," said Dennis Burns of the Palo Alto police.

Although it's clearly an issue, officials assure underage drinking is not any worse in Palo Alto than elsewhere. For example, Palo Alto has not introduced drug-sniffing dogs or drug testing to its campuses like other schools.

Gunn and Palo Alto high schools' resource officers, Ken Kratt and Mariana Villaescusa -- who were on hand at the Thursday forum -- said there has been a decrease in drinking incidences during the school day this year, although they did not have specific figures. They also said there have so far not been any students caught drinking or drunk at school dances.

And there are positive statistics. Two-thirds of middle school students have never tried alcohol, according to the social norming survey. About 65 percent of high school students said they have not been drunk in the past year.

Three years ago, Mary Frances Callan, superintendent of the Palo Alto Unified School District, raised concerns about alcohol consumption among students. A committee was formed to address the issue, and since then members have focused on providing education and raising awareness. Last week's program was the first event of the school year.

A clip from the 2000 movie "Traffic," in which Michael Douglas' character discovers his teenage daughter is addicted to drugs, set the tone for the evening. It illustrated the demons and dilemmas parents face when trying to prevent or stop teen drug and alcohol use.

But the bottom line, Burns said, is, "Don't be complacent parents."

The parents' role in underage drinking was a major component of the night's agenda. Burns, Lera, and Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Johnny Gogo all addressed how parents can negatively affect a teenager's choices.

Their concerns are not misplaced. About 400 middle- and high-school students said in last spring's survey that their parents allowed them and their friends to drink alcohol in the home.

"I think our society too often accepts alcohol," Lera said, adding that many adults think drinking is a natural, coming-of-age experience.

With a serious voice and stare, Lera asked the parents if contracting sexually-transmitted diseases, failing in school and becoming addicted -- among other dangerous side effects -- are necessary for teens' maturation process.

Burns shared a similar sentiment, but added date rape, pregnancy, fights and criminal charges to the list. He came down hard on the parents.

"If you have a party at your house, you're essentially endorsing that party. Your homeowner's insurance might end up covering the bill," Burns said. "This is getting preachy, but it's not being the buddy you like to be, but ultimately, you're doing them a favor."

Gogo, who has been prosecuting juvenile and adult cases for eight years, said when teenagers are arrested for alcohol violations, it lands on the parents' shoulders. And for DUI charges, the costs can be in the thousands.

Besides hosting parties and paying fines, Lera asked parents to think about their own alcohol consumption. In families with alcohol problems, she said, boys are four times more likely to develop a problem. For girls, it's eight times because they are at risk of marrying someone with an alcohol problem.

Palo Alto police are ready to help the committee raise awareness.

Burns said the department, in conjunction with Atherton and Menlo Park's agencies, recently bought a special go-cart that simulates drunk driving, which officers will begin exhibiting at area high schools in January.

Several electronic false-identification detectors have also been purchased and will be distributed at local liquor stores in the coming months. Burns said an effort to educate the clerks at such stores about selling alcohol to minors is also in the works.

The department's most recent sting, where minors working with police attempt to buy alcohol with fake identification cards was a complete success, officers said. Each of the 13 clerks approached refused to sell alcohol to the undercover teenagers.

Another major plan, Burns said, is to develop a policy for responding to juvenile parties. Currently, Palo Alto police do not have a standardized response system for such situations, but deal with them on a case-by-case basis.

Staff Writer Alexandria Rocha can be reached at arocha@paweekly.com.

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