Brain Worthy focuses on perils of underage drinking

Category: Local News Releases Local News Releases
Published: 19 November 2019 19 November 2019

Tuesday, November 19, 2019; Silver City, NM: What’s one thing residents can do to save the brains of Grant County youth? Stop supplying youth with alcohol! That’s a topic that is brain worthy, according to the Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (YSAPC) which is featuring a panel discussion on Thursday, November 21, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Western New Mexico University’s Global Resource Center Auditorium, corner of 12th St. and Florida St.

“Brain Worthy: A Case Against Underage Drinking” features a panel of local substance abuse preventionist and treatment specialists discussing with the community the effects of underage drinking.

“It is important for the community to have an opportunity to hear from local experts and professionals who deal with underage drinking or its consequences in the community on a daily basis,” said Corina Castillo, YSAPC program specialist.

“One of the event’s most important highlights is how underage drinking, particularly binge drinking, can have long-term effects on a person’s life,” said Michele Giese, Health Promotion Specialist who serves on the YSAPC.

In 2013, Grant County High School students reported an all-time low in current alcohol use at 34 percent.

Since that time the percentage has creeped upwards to 38 percent on the most recent Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS), the national self-reported youth survey of their healthy, and not-so-healthy, behaviors.

More concerning is over 20 percent of Grant County High School students reported currently binge drinking in the last 30 days. Binge drinking is the consumption of five or more drinks on a single occasion for boys, and 4 or more drinks on a single occasion for girls.

Such behaviors as binge drinking can put youth at-risk in later life to abuse alcohol or develop alcoholism.

Individuals who increase their binge drinking from age 18 to 24 and consistently binge drink at least once a week may have problems transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood like completing educational goals, committing to long-term relationships, gaining financial independence or maintaining employment, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Giese said, “Preventing underage drinking is crucial, we as a community want to see our youth succeed!”

Panelists include Grant County Sherriff’s Department Mike Burns, Silver City Police Department Officer Leticia Lopez, and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Jim Helgert, MA, LADAC, LPCC.

“The purpose of our event is to educate the community on resources and engage parents in conversation surrounding solutions and opportunities to help change the problem,” added Castillo.

The event is funded by the “Community Talk” initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Underage Drinking Prevention Education Initiative. Previously, the YSAPC’s received national recognition for the success of its 2015 town hall funded by the same program.

The public is urged to attend. Refreshments will be provided, and a raffle held for a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

For more information contact Castillo at (575) 597-0025 or email ccastillo@swchi.org.

This news release is made available by the Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Grant County, a program of the Center for Health Innovation, New Mexico’s designated Public Health Institute, and funded by the New Mexico Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP).

About the Center for Health Innovation

As New Mexico’s designated Public Health Institute, the Center for Health Innovation (CHI) focuses on bettering community health in underserved and underrepresented populations in the state and beyond. CHI empowers groups and individuals at a local, state and national level to determine the future wellbeing of their communities through the development and implementation of innovative policies, strategies and evidence-based models. Founded in 2015, CHI is headquartered in Silver City, with additional offices located throughout New Mexico. For more information, visit www.swchi.org.

About the Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition

Founded in 2013, the Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (YSAPC) of Grant County works tirelessly to curb youth access to alcohol, opioids and tobacco through initiating social projects and guiding public and school policy for greatest impact.  The Coalition is composed of representatives from 12 county sectors to have the greatest impact possible with funding provided by the New Mexico Office of Substance Abuse Prevention. For more information, visit http://swchi.org/youth-substance-abuse-prevention-coalition-of-grant-county/

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