The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Coalition wants to stop underage drinking
Saline High School parents plan to band together so students have safer Homecoming
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: October 4, 2007
Local public safety and school officials say students at Saline High School are no strangers to alcohol. They are stealing liquor and beer from their parents, and are being ticketed by police as minors in possession of alcohol when caught.
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And, during the next few weeks, the temptation to join the party will be even stronger, at every turn — in pole barns during late-night Homecoming float building, at football games and before and after the Homecoming dance.
"Don't be naÔve," said Dan Dolsen, organizer of last year's Safe Prom Initiative and this month's Safe Homecoming Initiative.
Dolsen is among a few dozen energetic and passionate parents and area residents who have founded the Saline Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking.
"Always put love first," he said. "Although you may trust your teen, it's still OK to ask them what they are doing and to be on the lookout for drinking."
This parent-to-parent straight talk strategy is how SCRUD, the temporary name for this busy group, intends to attack the ugly and dangerous problem of underage drinking in Saline.
"It's time for parents to be the first line of defense," said communications chairwoman Gretchen McCann.
McCann has been on board since a group of concerned parents met after a February town hall meeting at Saline High School led by Students Against Destructive Decisions on the very same subject.
"We are all well aware of the problem in our community and are passionate about making changes," she said. "These parents dove right in and there are some wonderful people taking the reins."
Jennie Jester is co-chairwoman of SCRUD and works for the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry Addiction Research Center. She has lived in Saline for eight years, has a son who is a senior and hopes her expertise and concern will help SCRUD with organizing an approach to problem solving.
Jester is working with Denise Bertin-Epp, president and chief nursing officer at Brighton Hospital, a treatment center for chemical dependency. Along with McCann, Dolsen and other committed parents and community leaders, the women have also asked students to contribute their insight and ideas.
At a recent meeting, members of SADD and Saline Youth Council told SCRUD that teens didn't want to hear about the laws and the rules.
"Tell us the facts, change the messages often and post notes on bathroom stalls - one of the only places at school where kids are sure to look," said Youth Council representative Jordan Wylie.
While McCann and her brigade will do just that, they realize targeting teens will be secondary to other appeals.
In coming weeks, area restaurants, liquor stores, limo drivers and hotels will get personal calls from SCRUD members to alert them to Saline's Homecoming schedule. High school parents will get bombarded with messages through homeowners' associations, media outlets and school newsletters.
Dolsen said he and his wife, Kristin, spearheaded the initiative when they discovered the high number of high school-age children who were receiving tickets as minors in possession of alcohol from Saline police.
"It appears that it's viewed as a badge of honor among many Saline students," he said. "It's a very dangerous badge.
"We decided to target events where it appears underage drinking occurs at a higher rate and we are targeting those who are major adult influences in teenage drinking: parents and those who sell alcoholic beverages."
Dolsen said it seems that one of the greatest sources for obtaining alcohol is from unknowing parents.
"We want to build awareness among parents and equip them with strategies for dealing with their teenager and drinking," he said.
SCRUD meets bi-weekly and parents and community members are welcome to join the initiative. Call 368-7306 for details.
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