FORUM HIGHLIGHTS ISSUES TEENS FACE

Having sex with multiple partners,using drugs and alcohol starting at the
age of 13 and teens with no place to live are problems that many people
associate with inner cities.

Yet, for some Cheshire High School and Dodd Middle School students, this is
a scene they may be all too familiar with. Parents, school and social
services administrators have been trying to tackle these problems for some
time. The Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking meets regularly and works
closely with human services to find a solution.

The Board of Education recently revamped its policy on alcohol, tobacco and
drug use inside and outside of school in order to curb this risky behavior.
In fact, Cheshire was the first municipality in Connecticut to implement an
ordinance that imposes a fine of $92 on anyone under the age of 21 found in
possession of alcohol. This was passed in 1986 and became a model for many
other towns facing the same issues. But, a problem still remains and it is
far worse than many are willing to admit.

Town Council member Diane Visconti thought if the town sponsored a Youth
and Family Forum, the televised conversation might reach more members of
the community to bring to light the serious issues that are plaguing
Cheshire's youth. A forum was held on Nov. 30 in council chambers.

An issue that resonated with attendees was the problem of underage
drinking. D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer Mark Ecke said
47 percent of the students in Cheshire High School have used alcohol by the
eighth grade and 19 percent or 80 teens have used alcohol in the last 30
days. While this is happening in many communities in Connecticut and
throughout the United States, the question is why, and what can we do to
stop risky behavior?

Reverend Rick Dacey of the First Congregational Church in Cheshire said
part of the problem is the tremendous pressure students have in this town.
"Cheshire is a great place to live, a great place to grow up, but it can be
a very tough place because there is a tremendous amount of pressure on
youth," said Dacey. "It's an invisible pressure, but it's a crushing pressure."

Cheshire High School senior Chelsea Cipriano agreed that a lot of teens
feel pressure to succeed and fit in. As a senior, she said preparing for
college, taking SATs, participating on the swim team and in various clubs
creates an insurmountable amount of pressure. Pressure from parents, peers
and self comes from every direction. She said many teens escape that by
drinking or smoking marijuana. Where are the students getting drugs and
alcohol?

Teens with older siblings or fake IDs can acquire alcohol that way. But
"basement" parties without supervision and adults who condone alcohol
consumption are also contributing to the problem.

Aside from the consequences of binge drinking, which could end up in death,
these teens are partaking in more serious activities at the same time.
Director of Youth and Social Services Michelle Piccerillo said some of the
activities that go on in these basements involving middle and high school
students, she never saw even when she attended college, such as sex with
multiple partners--behavior that could result in the spreading of disease
or unwanted pregnancy-- and drinking to the point of vomiting or passing out.

Detective William Fountain, also the youth officer, said another problem
with these parties is that parents aren't aware other parents are hosting
these types of gatherings. In addition, these parties aren't being
monitored because some parents will remain upstairs after taking the car
keys of teens entering the home. Some parents aren't home at all and the
adolescents are throwing parties without parental consent.

Piccerillo said the Youth and Social Services used to have a list of nearly
600 parents who took an oath not to have any alcohol in their homes. This
list would be distributed and if a child were to go to any of these homes,
the parent would know it would be a "safe" house. She said this practice
has sort of fallen by the wayside and should be revitalized.

Youths aren't just abusing marijuana and alcohol. We have entered into a
whole new culture of drugs that are more dangerous and easy to obtain. For
instance, teens are not only abusing prescription drugs, but selling them
too. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, drugs used to treat
attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) are also being snorted to achieve a high similar to the one
from cocaine. Ritalin, Methylin, Concerta and Provigil are all easy to
obtain by teens because many teens are on these prescription pills. It is
also increasingly easier to obtain these drugs on the internet.

The other issue with the internet is sexual predators. Many teens can build
their own websites where they post photos of themselves and talk to their
friends.

A new website called myspace.com allows those over the age of 18 to post
photos and chat with each other online. Anyone can access this site and the
personal information of those posted online. The problem stems when the
teens under 18 are posting personal information that millions can see. "It
opened my eyes and I strongly encourage parents to see what is out there.
It is quite an experience," said Ecke.

Personal information, language and suggestive pictures are on many of the
sites. In addition, some teens who don't know better may post a photo of
themselves with friends in front of a landmark in town, such as the school
or pool, and others can see where to find these children.

"Parents need to be responsible and let them (their children) know the
dangers," said Fountain.

High school senior Zak Greene, was one of four students attending the
forum. He said if you put personal information and photos on the web then
"you're asking for it." He said as a musician, he uses myspace music to
send his music to potential labels and DJs. He said a person doesn't have
to post any personal information.

But Ecke pointed out that it's not just the high school students who are
using these sites. Students in middle school are lying about their age and
posting information and they don't have the maturity to be fully aware of
the dangers, said Ecke.

Newly elected council member Matthew Altieri served as moderator at the
youth forum. After outlining some of the issues, he asked a very simple
question: How can this be avoided?

Cipriano said parents need to stay involved with their teens' lives.

Shane O'Neill, also a student at the high school, said people like teachers
and police officers need to be less robotic in their jobs and become more
involved as a community and get to know each other better.

He also felt the youth was misrepresented by having someone like Cipriano
on the panel. He said not everyone is in 12 groups and getting straight As.
There is a population of teens that are drinking everyday and living with
friends or on the street because they have no place to go, such as the
situation he finds himself in.

Newly retired Board of Education Chairman Dr. Richard Lau said he has had
at least 19 children throughout the years--all from Cheshire--live with his
family because they had no where to go. Many were involved in some sort of
substance abuse or family abuse.

"There are lots of teens in town like that," said Lau. And, as a community,
we are in denial about the real issues, he said.

"We need to open our eyes to the real problems. Binge drinking, drug use,
sexual relationships, there are a lot of issues we need to open our eyes
to," said Dacey. He said as a minister, he is welcomed into the most
secretive places of the human soul and it's surprising to hear what is
going on with youth in town.

Piccerillo said we all agree that parents are doing the best they can. But,
the reality is there isn't a lot of supervision and some parents feel town
services will pick up some of the slack.

She said the community needs to find new ways to get parents attention and
pique the parents interest in learning about issues and ways to create a
better environment. There are many classes, forums and committees in town
that address this issue. "But, we need you to show up," said Piccerillo.
For more information regarding the town's social services community visit:
www.cheshirect.org/youthsocial/default.html.