TEEN FORUM OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

A huge thanks to the Bradenton Herald for initiating its teen forum on
destructive behavior. An even bigger thanks for placing this
attention-getter on Sunday's front page for all to read.

Alcohol and drugs have certainly been accessible to generations of
teenagers and, let's be honest, those looking for either one or the other
have always known exactly where and how to find them. Also not new is the
fact that some parents ease their minds by allowing offspring and friends
access to both excesses in their own homes. It was extremely interesting
and informative hearing facts from the horse's mouth. It's reassuring to
see that there are many young people out there making use of their "common
sense gene."

These kids demonstrated a wider range of open-mindedness than many adults
often seem capable of doing. How else is it be possible that a school
principal truly believes that an article concerning a school fight with
gang involvement resulting in a student's death does not belong in the
school's own newspaper? Dark ages? Not as long as we support young people
like the participants in your forum and those willing to take an active
part in their community (a thanks also to your numerous articles about
teens involved in county and beach cleanups and other community services)
in staying involved and remaining unafraid to confront their respective
peers with a positive message.

A huge kudo to Andrew Gestrich for hitting the nail on the head.
Criticizing the media, the parents or anyone else, for that matter, is
definitely not the solution. Today's society tends to invest an enormous
amount of time dissecting and probing. Although there might always be a
psychological explanation for someone going haywire, individual
responsibility should never be downplayed. Therefore, a special thanks to
Andrew for his poignant remark and to the Herald for emphasizing the
importance of this observation by concluding the article with this
statement. It's that easy.

Solutions? There are probably many in our community. But to name a few:
Saint Stephen's School's Making Better Choices program, getting parents on
the same page concerning partying procedures. A special rave to Martha
Griffith, a Saint Stephen's mother, who became active this year by
introducing and initiating the idea of an all-night after-prom party
banning alcohol and drugs and keeping the kids off the street and safe.

But danger lurks not only in festivities. Your participants themselves have
recognized that those kids who take part in sports and extracurricular
activities, who have other interests, are not the kids who are destined to
become victims of addictions. They have also addressed the lack of
constructive offers for activities in Manatee County possibly necessary to
entice these endangered young people into becoming involved. And how about
putting a stop to the gas stations and convenience stores known for selling
alcohol to minors without carding them? Your participants themselves have
made very good suggestions and, after publication of your article, county
officials should be hearing them loudly and clearly.

Summing up, although there are adults who are concerned, who attempt to
offer their teenagers fun alternatives to getting stoned, peer pressure
positively applied might be the better road to take. A good role model,
whether young or old, will never cease to be the best investment in a young
person's future. Helping a young person to become a self-confident and
responsible individual, doing whatever it takes, is certainly a step in the
right direction. Thanks to all involved in this project.