Teen Drinking; Crime or Culture?

[historyteach]

A tv special at 7 PM tonight on NBC
Also, live streamed on www.turntoten.com
Commercial free.
Respectful discussion, including parents, teens, police, a convicted teen serving time, and other involved.

Just a respectful informational post, in case anyone is interested.

Shalom!

[jimhere]

Don't mistake hooliganism for alcoholism.

[historyteach]

I already answered this on the other thread, but, I'll answer here for the benefit of the readers too.
I honestly wish you had watched it, jimhere. I do think you would have appreciated the thoughtfullness in which it was put together and presented.

The program just got over.
There was no mistaking the two.
One young man featured on the show is in prison for killing two of his best friends. He was drunk and high on cocaine; driving and got into an accident.
He now recognizes he had a long term problem.
He didn't see the problem in the midst of it.
He had been caught drinking multiple times; drunk multiple times; black outs multiple times.
He wasn't a hooligan. He is an alcoholic. And he found out too late.

The purpose of the show was to cause an awakening, if possible, for others.
And while some were reactionary, as will always be the case, most were well spoken, thoughtful and concerned with the very real problem of kids dying for a drink.

I hope some others got the chance to watch it. It was worth it.

Shalom!

[jimhere]

Historyteach,
I did watch the video and while I agree that it is very well presented and thought through, as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous I have to state that I do not stand against alcohol or drinking alcohol. Teen drinking can be serious for sure, and it is illegal, but it is an outside issue. I don't want any prospective AA members to get the impression that AA has an opinion on teenage drinking or that AA takes a stand against anything, even alcohol.

Drinking, driving, and vehicular homicide, while tragic, are not necessarily symptoms of alcoholism.

Sorry I gave the impression that I was reacting.
Jim

[historyteach]

I hear you, Jim.

And I apologise if it seemed as if I was pushing this video to AA members, per say. I wasn't. I saw it advertised, and honestly thought it would be of interest. Not as an AA vehicle.

Perhaps I shouldn't have posted it on this forum.
If so, I do apologise again.
It was not my intent to cause friction.

I'm glad you were able to watch it.

One thing I found really interesting was the kids. They said they "heard" the young man who is tragically in jail, having had his awakening too late, after killing his two friends. And it makes me wonder if it's possible to create that type of awakening in reality, or if it's just a short term, "oh shyte" type of thing. Kind of like when a smoker sees a black lung, and stops smoking - for half a day, then goes back. Know what I mean?

I guess I'm just rambling to myself. But, we do know that the younger a kid starts drinking, the more likely the adult will have a problem with alcohol. So, the show opens the door for that exploration, anyway, if nothing else.

Thanks for the feedback, Jim!

Shalom!

[jimhere]

Hey teach,
No problem. Diplomacy is not always my greatest forte'. It is hard to be direct when you are not f2f with whom you are speaking to. And I do know that you have the best interests of us all at heart.

I did not take it as you were pushing this on AA members. It just seems to me that the we get many on this forum who are either new to or checking out Alcoholics Anonymous.
Jim

[CarolD]

Thanks Teach and Jim...
I was unaware of the program...
AA meeting committment.

I'm sure they wil have a re-run

[Dee_Sober4today]

Thank you. I watched the video.
As an alcoholic parent, my worst fear is when my son comes of age (or not) and begins to make his own choices about drinking.
I hope he learns something through my sruggles, but whenever shows like this one are on I'd like him to watch them as well.
Like this young kid said...at his age, young people think they are unstoppable.
Scary..very scary.
Thank you historyteach

[RufusACanal]

Damn fine thread....

[Signal30]

As a police officer from my personal experience, most of the arrests I have made were and are alcohol or drug related in some way. As far as juveniles, most of their arrests they were not intoxicated from what I could detect. That doesn't mean that they are not in the environment at home or with peers where alcohol and drug abuse are present.



Tom

[nandm]

That is a good point, signal.

I know my children were directly affected by my alcoholism. It did create problems for them especially in their teen years.

One turned to cutting on herself. They both dropped out of high school. They started stealing. Tried prostitution. Tried meth. Tried other drugs and alcohol.

Fortunately today. They have succeeded in a lot of healing. The biggest thing that had an impact on them as far as the healing process goes was my staying sober. It took nearly 3 years of sobriety to prove to them I had changed.

Today: one has gotten her GED, is in vet tech school with the intent of going on to Vet school. Has stayed out of trouble with the law.
The other moved back in with me about 4 years ago. She does not drink or use drugs of any kind. She hates to even take a tylenol. She has held down a job since she got here. Working her way up from a kitchen attendent to a Medication Aide in an Assisted Living Home. She went to school a few months back to obtain her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate. She no longer cuts on herself.

I am amazed at the effect that being raised by an alcoholic had on them. I wish more parents could see the effect it has and stop before the damage is done. I hate what I put my children through. But I have forgiven myself and continue to make a living ammends to them by staying sober.