Nonprofit group battles growing teen drinking epidemic

By Sophia Fischer  sfischer@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers DANGEROUS GAME--Stevie Rascon, 16, of Camarillo takes a shot as Scott Eliab, 19, of Oxnard, on the far left, and Branden Seabert of Ventura egg him on as part of a drinking game during a recent "reality party" for parents held in Camarillo. The reenactment is designed to educate parents about today's teen parties. Reality parties are being held throughout the area, including Oak Park, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. Coordinated by Straight Up Ventura County, the youth project is focused on changing attitudes and promoting discussion about underage drinking. The local teen party scene is increasingly including such activities as binge drinking until passing out, sexual assault and drunken fights. It's not uncommon to see a bowl of prescription drugs, obtained by kids from home medicine cabinets, taken like candy, washed down with alcohol. Party information is often placed on such online social networking sites as Facebook and MySpace, inviting strangers to show up.

"Parents are in denial. They don't realize the dangers. It's much more dangerous than when they were kids," said Katherine Kasmir, project director for Straight Up Ventura County, a nonprofit that promotes social change regarding underage drinking among 15- to 25-year-olds.

Parents and society in general are enabling teen drinking, Kasmir added. Some parents provide the alcohol, having an attitude that teen drinking is a rite of passage. Advertising, film and television promote drinking, making it seem cool.

"It's not just about blaming kids--what are the community factors--what are we allowing and accepting? The social environment is very powerful," Kasmir said. "It's not enough to just say alcohol is bad for them; it has to do with society allowing this really dangerous behavior."

To help educate and guide parents, Kasmir created the "reality party," a reenactment of a typical teen bash, complete with events and dialogue culled from interviews of thousands of local students. Parents watch as professional actors recreate a common local party scene. After 30 minutes participants have the opportunity to discuss what they've seen with law enforcement officials and Straight Up leaders and come up with ways to address concerns.

Susan Goodkin of Ventura recently attended a Straight Up reality party in Camarillo and saw drinking games, a boy taking advantage of a girl who had passed out and a conversation in which boys and girls discussed the pressures that make them act differently at parties.

"That part of the program is particularly powerful," said Goodkin, whose children are 11 and 14. "I found it extremely valuable to attend the party, in large part because having seen what actually happens at these parties, it's easier to talk to my children about the issues they'll be facing."

Upcoming reality parties include one in Oak Park on Sept. 29 and another in Simi Valley on Oct. 6.

Diana Traficante hopes to make Oak Park parents more aware of the situation. A mom of two teens, she's helping to organize the Oak Park event.

"It feels like everyone knows it goes on but no one does anything to try to police their kids," Traficante said. "I don't think parents realize how much potential danger their kids are in, abusing alcohol."

Parents need to be very clear with their children about what the rules are and should check up on where their children are.

"I've heard this so many times from kids: 'I don't like to lie to Mom but I have to or she wouldn't let me go,'" Kasmir said. "Parents are allowing this activity. We need to put a stop to it."

Kasmir established Straight Up in 2005. She was doing improvisational comedy at Ventura Theater Sports when she came up with the idea to use improvisational exercises to address serious issues. A mother of four, Kasmir's goal was to create opportunities for discussion with kids instead of lecturing them.

"We need to empower kids by helping them identify what they think is wrong, then helping them make a plan and do something to change it," Kasmir said. "Parents need to be more aware and to understand the culture better."

For more information visit www.straightupvc.org or call (805) 647-4622.