The Catskill Chronicle

To the Editor:

According to a recent survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 11.5 percent of youth ages 16 and 17, drove under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the previous year. Additionally, with instances of suicide and bullying omnipresent in our local newspapers, it is a good time to take a proactive stance.

This year, Prevention First -NY! has avidly circulated the Underage Drinking (UAD) Survey throughout the County, starting back in June at Livingston Manor’s Trout Parade. Since then, many Sullivan County residents have taken time out to give their input on this very important issue and its perceived impact.

Unfortunately, as the time allotted for the survey winds down, we find that as the holidays approach, we are seeing more and more reports of DWI arrests in the newspaper; an increase in advertisements for alcoholic beverages; and the recent announcement that a new brewery is coming to town.

Let’s act responsibly and role model appropriately. Let’s put our children first. Let’s take ten minutes out of our especially hectic day, to voice our opinions on alcohol use among our teens. Please visit http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/538756/NYprevention. This 10-minute survey may, in the long-term, assist us in identifying additional ways to help our kids become healthy, productive citizens, who will reach their full potential. Cheers!

Lynn Baron

Data Coordinator

Prevention First-NY!