Town hall held to address underage drinking
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.comcom
Uniontown police Capt. David Rutter (right), a panel member at a town hall meeting to discuss underage drinks, answers a question from an audience member. Panel members also included (from left) Gina Check and Kelly Reshenburg, both with the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission.
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.comcom
Erica Usher, prevention specialist with the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, comments during a town hall meeting held to discuss the problem of underage drinking in our community.
Community members united Monday to bring the dangers of underage drinking to the forefront in hopes that Fayette County will not suffer another loss like the community did several weeks ago when a tragic car crash claimed the life of 17-year-old Zack Nelson.
The town hall meeting followed an alcohol-awareness program for high school students held earlier in the day, where juniors from all five Fayette County school districts heard a firsthand account of the consequences of underage drinking.
Nelson died from injuries suffered in an alcohol-related crash Sept. 10 in Farmington that injured five other teenagers. The driver of the vehicle, also a teenager, is facing charges.
Nelson’s mother, Tricia Nelson, spoke at Monday’s town hall meeting and encouraged those in attendance to take a firm stance against underage drinking and driving under the influence.
While Nelson said she is glad to see some good come from her son’s death, she said she is saddened that it took a tragedy to make the community aware of the issue.
“There were no gray areas when it came to drinking in our house,” she said, noting that her sons and their friends who came to their home knew alcohol was not allowed. “We did everything in our power short of not letting them out of the house to protect them.”
Parents of small children, Nelson said, don’t think twice about locking a gun cabinet but that parents of teenagers don’t think about locking the liquor cabinet.
Nelson said her mission in life is now to raise awareness about underage drinking and driving while distracted in addition to supporting organ donor education and blood donation programs. The Nelson family has begun organizing the Nelson Foundation, with the goal of eventually offering scholarships to local students.
Monday’s town hall was sponsored by state Rep. Tim Mahoney, D- South Union Twp., and the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission. Panelists included representatives from Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Fayette County Juvenile Probation, Uniontown City Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Liquor Enforcement division, Magisterial District Judge office, Fayette County Crime Victims Center and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving.
Mahoney said the community needs to say enough is enough and have zero tolerance for underage drinking.
“Kids don’t realize what the consequences can be when they drink and drive, or drink at all,” he said. “And a real problem is parents who let their children drink in their home. We need to wake up. We need to wake up quickly.”
Pat Mowen, representing the the Crime Victims Center and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, said education is key.
“It’s very simple. Twenty-one is the legal age to purchase, possess and consume alcohol. It’s very simple, yet it’s misunderstood by so many of our youth,” she said.
Mowen said alcohol-related crashes are 100 percent preventable.
“It takes everyone of us to deal with this problem and not only educate out young people but protect them as well,” she said.
State police Sgt. Joseph D’Andrea said the Uniontown state police barracks had 743 driving under the influence arrests last year, up 40 percent from previous years.
Uniontown police Capt. David Rutter said he believes the solution to underage drinking needs to start at home and that some parents would rather be their child’s friend than be their father or mother.
More information on the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, and programs it offers, is available by going to www.fcdaa.org.
Additional information is also available by calling Mahoney’s office at 724-438-6100.