Kevin Kerr
DUNCAN — Many might think that a teenage party is something to be cautious of. However, Thursday night, a group of students got together to do just that, only for the right reasons.
Members of the 3D Drug Free Community Coalition in Duncan, along with several other students from Duncan and Lawton, got together to simulate a teenage drinking party for parents to observe and learn.
These reality party skits were meant to simulate “party” situations, according to Paula Thomas, a member of 3D, and a prevention specialist for the Wichita Mountains Prevention Network. They simulated events such as binge drinking, passed out individuals, alcohol and sex situations, as well as touching on the Social Host ordinance in Duncan, which could cost parents or adults who host a drinking party for minors up to $750 for a citation, as well as other violations involved.
“Many adults feel it is a ‘rite of passage’ that teens drink,” Thomas said. “We want them to see the dangerous consequences of underage drinking.”
What was unique about these reality skits was that they were mean for the parents of teenagers in the community, not for the teens themselves.
Edie and Kevin Stewart had children that participated in the skits, and were surprised at the message this group delivered to the parents that toured the reality skits.
“It’s scary,” Edie said. “I don’t know if my kids were involved in anything like this, but I know they have friends that are, and who have been in our house.”
Kevin Stewart said it was a sad fact that it has gotten to this point where children do so much to harm themselves.
“I’m not ready to accept that we’re here at this point,” Kevin said.
Keziah Cook, a Duncan student and 3D member, was the designated tour guide of the party skits, and said she liked participating in the skits very much.
“I hear a lot about the parties,” Cook said. “From the stories I hear, I think that the situations we had here were very close to the real thing.”
Cook said, as a student, she hears stories regularly from other students about parties they had the night before, and some of the crazy things they do. She also hears about some of the bad things that happen at these parties as well, and wanted to help show what those things can be and how they can be avoided.
Ren Contreras said he hears similar things at school, and even sees children that will not only come to school still drunk the day after a party, but also to athletic practices as well.
Both Cook and Contreras were confident they would perform the skits again, and would like to do them in front of students at the schools as well.
“That intensity may hit some people who support this,” Cook said. “And if we can make that seed take hold, then it would be worth it.”
Thomas said that it was important for these reality skits to be shown to parents because of the facts about teenage drinking in Stephens County. According to a 2008 Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment in Stephens County, a survey taken by seniors in high school confirmed that over 80 percent admitted to drinking more than one sip of alcohol in their lifetime. That number is significantly higher than the 76 percent state average. As well as that, 29 percent of seniors admitted to binge drinking, or the consumption of five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting.
“It’s sad,” Cook said. “Some kids don’t have the parents who are concerned enough or even know how to stop this.”
Hopefully though, through the actions and acting skills of a group of children, parents will get the message, and will be brought back to reality.
