Some things were just never cool

Underage Drinking is Never Cool!!

Well, it’s been a long time since I was in high school, but how I remember those days. Being a teenager I wanted to fit in. I didn’t want to be the weird kid. I wanted girls to like me. I wanted the other guys to accept me. I wanted to be cool.

Back then I had a full head of hair, but it had to be cut so that I resembled one of the BeeGees. I wore those wide-leg jeans, the ones with no pockets in back and only tiny ones in front. And of course, there was the Elsha. In that day, Elshawas THE cologne to have, if you wanted to be cool.

There is something else that I remember from those days. I heard stories. Fantastic stories.Stories about parties that took place at someone’s home. These were not your ordinary high school-kid get-togethers.These parties were sanctioned by someone’s parents, perhaps parents that were trying to be cool, but they provided alcohol forteenage boys, and a place to consume it.  At the time and from my 17- year old perspective, it really sounded cool. But, in reality it was quite the opposite. Those parents put the well being and futures of many people at risk.  In fact, studies show 67% of teens who drink before the age of 15 will try other illicit drugs.

Now, with the perspective of a 50-something old fart, and hopefully having a bit of wisdom about these things, I look back at how some of those guys turned out. How some came to know lives filled with trouble, sorrow, and heart ache, and unfortunately it was often related to some kind of substance abuse.

I can’t help but wonder,how much did those cool parents and those cool parties influence the lives of young boys and put them on a trajectory that eventually lead to disaster?I don’t know for certain, but this I do not know: PARENTS, providing alcohol, supporting its consumption, or otherwise enabling teens to drink is not only “not cool”, it is very illegal. You could end up in trouble that will haunt you the rest of your life, but even worse, you could help destroy the life and future happiness of a young person. It’s just not worth it.

Studies show that a child who gets through age 21 without smoking, abusing alcohol, or using illegal drugs is virtually certain never to do so.  This is empowering information.

If you really want to be cool and teach your children and their friends how to be cool, help them have a party that does NOT include alcohol or drugs. Help them enjoy their youth and the joy and simple innocence that comes with it. Help put them on a trajectory for a happy, clean, and sober life, and hopefully they too will live to someday become a 50-something old fart.  You can learn more by visiting www.parentsempowered.org

John Medved

Concerned Parent and member of the SMART Utah County Coalition