'Our parents drank, our grandparents drank'

Asotin County Sheriff Ken Bancroft (left) was among those on a panel Tuesday night examining youth alcohol abuse in Asotin County.

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Story Published: Apr 9, 2008 at 11:12 PM PDT

Story Updated: Apr 9, 2008 at 11:12 PM PDT

By Stephanie Smith

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ASOTIN - Town hall meetings about underage drinking are going on throughout Washington. Tuesday night it was Asotin's turn.

Community members watched a video about teen drinking and were presented with the facts about underage alcohol abuse in the Asotin-Anatone School District.

According to a recent survey, 51 percent of seniors reported drinking in the last month, 21 percent report drinking five or more drinks in a row at least once in the past two weeks.

A panel comprised of school officials as well as the sheriff's and prosecutor’s office addressed parents and other residents. They said they want to get the community involved in creating an environment that says no to underage drinking.

And students also addressed this particular drug problem in a frank and honest way.

"In high school there's a lot of drinking, everyone knows it,” said Kasey Hough, of Students Against Destructive Decisions. “Our parents drank, our grandparents drank, most of the kids in high school today are still drinking."

One of the most startling facts to come out is that 41 percent of seniors report riding in a car with a driver who's been drinking.

There will be a similar town hall meeting at Clarkston High School Thursday night.

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