Bronxville School PTA and BWell Committee to Host Town Hall Meeting on Teen Drinking and Substance Abuse May 13
By Sissel McCarthy, Bronxville School BWell Committee
May 6, 2015: The Bronxville School PTA and BWell Committee are hosting a town hall meeting on teen drinking and substance abuse on Wednesday, May 13, at 7:30 pm.
Underage drinking has reached epidemic proportions, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, and the Bronxville community is no exception.
Drinking and drug use are also beginning a lot earlier, with the average age of that first drink at 13.9 years here in Westchester County.
"The goal of the evening is to help parents and students understand the illegal substance use in our community," said Sarah Kraemer, head of BWell, the PTA's committee on health and wellness. "If you have a middle or high school student, come educate yourself on the trends and resources available if someone needs help."
Armed with the latest information on drug and alcohol abuse, parents are the first line of defense and can make a difference. The rewards are huge: a child who makes it to age 21 without abusing alcohol and drugs is virtually certain never to do so, according to the center's latest study.
The town hall forum, called "Protecting the Teen Brain," will present experts on drug and alcohol abuse and provide an opportunity for questions from the audience. Panel members include Bronxville Police Chief Christopher Satriale, Lawrence Hospital's director of emergency medicine, Dr. Carlos Flores, Westchester Assistant District Attorney Paul Scharf, Maxwell Institute's Lily Newman, Bronxville High School Principal Ann Meyer, and health teacher David Russert.
Topics to be covered include the health risks posed by underage drinking and drug use, school policy on drinking and drugs, talking points to start a conversation with teenagers about substance abuse, and the legal liabilities for teens and parents related to underage drinking and serving alcohol to minors.
"The assistant district attorney will explain the legal consequences of hosting a party, providing alcohol to a minor, sharing prescription medication, or driving under the influence," Kraemer said. "Did you know you can be sentenced to a year in jail for serving minors?"
The meeting will be held in the multipurpose room at The Bronxville School.
For more information, please contact Sarah Kraemer at
