Local Teens Talk About Why Students Drink

"People want to fit in," students want to relieve stress, and, "There is nothing else to do in Basking Ridge."

Those were among the most common reasons local teens drink or use drugs, according to a group of teens, who were speaking anonymously. The teens had volunteered to talk openly with the handful of local parents, professionals and members of the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse who attended Tuesday's

The Municipal Alliance has been tackling teen drinking through the "It's 21 For A Reason" campaign. The issue of teen drinking and drug use also came up at Monday night's Board of Education meeting, when school officials again discussed an anonymous survey taken earlier this year with results showing that 70 percent of 12th graders saying they had drank alcohol within the previous month, and 28 percent reporting they had smoked marijuana during that time.

Those at the Dialogue Night heard that the the average age of starting often is young: one boy said many people in his grade had started drinking in eighth grade. Those drinking escapades seemed to involve binge drinking or drinking to get drunk, according to the conversation.

The teens also stated there is "lots of drunk driving in Basking Ridge” that is taking place. The observation was that many of those students who decide to drive drunk have the "it's not going to be me" mindset.

Other students said some teens had been known to get lost in a drunken stupor, or find themselves in unwanted sexual encounters due to their drinking.

The discussion was led by two professional facilitators, including Dr. Barbara Bush, student assistance counselor.

The other, Dr. Elizabeth Rose, a pediatrician specializing in adolescents, told the group that lots of research has been proving that the “adolescent brain is not developed enough to connect consequences with actions.”

Rose stated that explains a lot of teens’ impulsive behavior and lack of regard for the health, financial and legal consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. She also said that although Basking Ridge might be a wealthier town, with more teens who have cars to drive while intoxicated, the substance abuse statistics in the township are similar to other locations in the United States.

Parents asked if peer pressure was part of the reason for teen drinking. However, testimony from the teens indicated that was not so much the case.

The students said that very few people actually will belittle them for not participating in imbibing drugs or alcohol at social gatherings.

One student stated that he was actually “respected by his friends for not drinking.” Having a group of friends who don't abuse alcohol or drugs does reduce exposure of students to these unhealthy activities, the students indicated.

In addition, the students said parents cannot count on their children's friends to come forward with information on their child’s abuse problems–they’ll have to find that out for themselves.

The best way to handle drug and alcohol abuse, the students said, is for parents to maintain a close relationship with their children.

That includes things like having the parents make sure they knew what their
children are up to at all times, and driving the children home to avoid intoxicated driving.

The students also talked about the importance of a strong trust bond between the teen and parents. If there is a lack of trust, the child is much more likely to disregard parental scolding and punishments, according to the conversation.

The alliance is expecting to schedule in local homes next spring for additional discussions on teens and substance abuse, and other issues involving adolescents.