Incident inspires towns to cap teen drinking

When 16 teenagers were kicked out of a school dance this spring for drinking, it served as a wake-up call to many in the Acton-Boxborough community.

Though efforts were already underway to help curb what many say is a growing problem in the two affluent suburban towns, plans have been kicked up a notch following the incident at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School.

Police, school officials, and community groups are working together over the next few months on several projects designed to prevent underage drinking, a surprisingly common activity among students that seems to get serious attention only in times of tragedy, like after a horrific traffic accident.

Plans include a regional marketing campaign to educate teens about the dangers of drinking, implementing a SafeHomes program, in which parents don't allow teenagers to drink in their home or on their property, and strengthening town and school polices on underage drinking, said Tina Grosowsky, chairwoman of the Acton-Boxborough Community Alliance for Youth.

"The earlier kids start drinking, the likelier it is that they'll be a candidate for alcoholism," said Grosowsky.

Grosowsky said a recent Emerson Hospital Youth Behavior Risk Survey showed some alarming trends.

For example, 62 percent of Acton-Boxborough seniors and nearly 19 percent of ninth-graders said that they had consumed alcohol in the month prior to the survey.

Detective Keith Campbell said the Acton Police Department is focusing its efforts on access to alcohol. He said officers are working with local businesses to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors and with parents to keep a better eye on what's going on at home.

The department is working with the community alliance on the SafeHomes program, in which parents will sign a pledge saying they will not serve alcohol to youth, will not allow the consumption of alcohol by those under the legal drinking age in their homes or on their property, and will not allow parties in their homes when they are not present.

The SafeHomes program has made an impact in s everal communities in the area, including Westford, said Grosowsky.paign to educate teens about the dangers of drinking, implementing a SafeHomes program, in which parents don't allow teenagers to drink in their home or on their property, and strengthening town and school polices on underage drinking, said Tina Grosowsky, chairwoman of the Acton-Boxborough Community Alliance for Youth.

"The earlier kids start drinking, the likelier it is that they'll be a candidate for alcoholism," said Grosowsky.

Grosowsky said a recent Emerson Hospital Youth Behavior Risk Survey showed some alarming trends.

For example, 62 percent of Acton-Boxborough seniors and nearly 19 percent of ninth-graders said that they had consumed alcohol in the month prior to the survey.

Detective Keith Campbell said the Acton Police Department is focusing its efforts on access to alcohol. He said officers are working with local businesses to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors and with parents to keep a better eye on what's going on at home.

The department is working with the community alliance on the SafeHomes program, in which parents will sign a pledge saying they will not serve alcohol to youth, will not allow the consumption of alcohol by those under the legal drinking age in their homes or on their property , and will not allow parties in their homes when they are not present.

The SafeHomes program has made an impact in several communities in the area, including Westford, said Grosowsky.

Boston Globe