OVER 400 TEENS ATTEND SUBSTANCE-FREE BEACH PARTY

BARRINGTON - A night of fun and festivities at the substance free beach
party on Saturday was marked with a somber reminder from Lori Nunes. Ms.
Nunes is the mother of the late Justin Nunes, a Bristol teen who was killed
in a drunk-driving related accident more than a year ago. She attended the
Barrington beach party hoping to inspire local teens to avoid making the
same mistake her son did.

"We all need to work together to keep one another safe," she said to the
teenagers gathered at the beach. "To value the lives we are given. To make
the right choices. One bad choice can cost you dearly.

"I know how much Justin loved the beach. I truly believe in my heart he is
here right now."

The crowd at the beach listened closely to the speech, understanding the
message being sent. Her speech was just one of the activities scheduled for
the first ever Barrington Beach Substance Free Party. For more than five
hours Saturday night, students played games, listened to live music and
socialized at the drug and alcohol free party sponsored by the Barrington
Substance Abuse Task Force. More than 400 teenagers attended the event.

Event organizers hoped the party would show local students that alcohol and
drugs are not necessary to have fun. They seemed to succeed with Alex
Saletin. The 16-year-old Barrington resident had a good time while wearing
a pair of plastic "fatal vision" goggles.

"Agh," Ms. Saletin said. Her feet were five inches away from a white tape
line she had been trying to walk. "Those goggles make it impossible, they
make you dizzy. I thought I would fall over."

While wearing the goggles, Ms. Saletin experienced what it would feel like
to fail a sobriety test. The goggles simulate vision after two to three
drinks, as part of an activity sponsored by Amica Insurance at Saturday's
event.

In addition to testing the effects of alcohol on their reflexes, students
at Saturday's beach party were treated to live music, free pizza and hot
dogs, and volleyball, Frisbee and soccer -- all under a vibrant sunset.

High school junior Steve Tetreault, 15, said he came to the beach party
Saturday night for the music. Local bands Midnight Sun and Line of Fire and
played the event.

"I came just to listen to them play," Mr. Tetreault said, as he watched
Midnight Sun perform. "I support the party, too. It's a positive message
and it lets people experience music in the community."

Musician Ben Glatter, 16, said that the event gave him and his band, Line
of Fire, a chance to play for their friends and support the event at the
same time.

"We thought it would be fun," Mr. Glatter said.

Barrington High School students Matt Howe, Joel Park and Gene McKeown, all
14-years-old, came to the party Saturday night to benefit their stomachs.

"I support the event," Mr. Howe said. "But most of all I support the free
food."

The freshmen wolfed down popcorn while taking in a game of volleyball being
played on sand nearby.

A message, without the bottle

The Barrington Substance Abuse Task Force, spearheaded by coordinator Kathy
Sullivan, teamed with Barrington Police Chief John LaCross, students,
parents, public safety employees and town officials to organize Saturday
night's event.

According to Ms. Sullivan, the network of organizers planned the party with
the intention of educating students and changing attitudes about alcohol
and drug use.

"The event is just to promote the idea that kids can use the beach, and
have fun and not use alcohol," she said.

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) member and student organizer
Kaitlin Annunziata, 15, got involved with the event because she thought it
would have a positive affect on students her age.

"We got involved in the event for all of the youth," she said. "We wanted
to get something fun going, and give kids an alternative to regular parties."

Ms. Nunes was more than willing to help emphasize the dangerous results
from some alternative behavior.

"You see, the air we breathe and the life inside of us right now can be
taken away in an instant," Ms. Nunes said. "I hope this gathering here
tonight reminds us of how precious our existence really is. Please be careful."