The Dangers of Underage Drinking

Freshmen Learn the Dangers of Drinking: A knife plunged into a man's throat. A swollen abdomen. Drunk people passed out on couches and on the toilet.

Anything can happen when under-21s drink, from assaults to liver damage and unconsciousness. Sometimes they may not "sleep it off."

THS Freshmen heard that and more at Thursday's mandatory parent/student meeting about underage drinking. They heard a recovered alcoholic and a mother whose son was killed in 2004 when he rode with a drunk driver. Not to mention the attorney who explained that adults are liable for youths younger than 21 who drink. Youths will lose their driver's licenses or will have to wait if they want to get one if caught drinking.

THS Principal Robert Tremaglio said early in his career, he spent one prom night at Danbury Hospital with a student who drank 1/5 of a bottle of vodka in a limousine before the dance.

"She was near death," Tremaglio said.

"Rachael," who has spoken at the event before, said she started drinking at 16 and was suicidal. She later failed out of college before getting sober. She is now engaged.

Colleen Sheehey-Church recounted the story of her son Dustin, who drowned in Kent in 2004 when the small car was riding in fell into the Housatonic River. The tall youth was trapped in the car.

"She [the driver] got five years [in jail] and our family got a life sentence," Sheehey-Church said.

Liz Driscoll Jorgensen, a counselor of teens, said developing brains are damaged by drinking alcohol even once a month. And teens can be expelled from school if they are caught drinking on campus or come to school drunk, said Bill Mecca, THS Crisis Intervention specialist.

He encouraged anyone with problems to contact him so he can get them the help they need.

Finally, police said their tipline is always open to report underage drinking or any related problems by texting 274637 (CRIMES), 8773 and the problem and the location.

The 11th Annual CT United Ride to Disburse Its Ride Funds: Executive Director Fred Garrity Jr. of the CT United Ride and the UPFFA of CT President Peter Carozza will be disbursing to the recipients of this year’s 2011 CT United Ride, 10 checks totaling $38,250.

It will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at Vazzy’s Brick Oven, Broadbridge Avenue in Bridgeport.

The following groups will receive the money:

• The Wilton Police C.E.R.T Group $250
• The Wilton Police Explorers $500
• The Newtown Police Explorers $500
• The Trumbull Police Explorers $500
• The Bridgeport Police Explorers $500
• The Bridgeport Police (Fallen Officers) Memorial $5,000
• The Bridgeport Fire Fallen FF Fund $5,000
• The United Way of Coastal Fairfield County $5,000
• The Hundred Club of CT (Law Enforcement) $10,500
• The CT State Fire Fighters Emergency Relief Fund $10,500

Representatives from each organization will be on hand to accept the checks.

Light hors d'oeuvres will be provided. For Questions, contact Garrity at 203-852-5046 by day or via email at fred.garrity@ngc.com. The website is www.ctunitedride.com and the facebook page at “The CT United Ride.”