What's-up with those underage drinking lawn signs?? You've seen them sprouting on lawns all over town. The signs, with their bars and strong anti-drinking messages, are there to curb the illicit and dangerous drinking that can accompany prom-and-grad-time celebrations.
There has been quite a bit of chatter about the signs and according to Councilman Manley, "They are doing EXACTLY what we hoped they would do. They've got people talking and that's a good thing." Justin also provided some background information:
The signs are an effort by the Metuchen Municipal Alliance / Youth Service Board. The
According to Irene Morris-Nann, a community volunteer and the Alliance Calendar Committee Chair, "Our Mission is to create awareness of Drug and Alcohol issues and to encourage dialog, reduce stigma, offer information, resources and promote prevention ideas. The
"April was Alcohol Awareness month and we decided to target our effort to underage drinking in conjunction with prom and graduation" explained Manley. "If nothing else, the signs have people in Metuchen talking and thinking about this issue. If it gives one parent the idea to talk to their children or a child to ask a parent, then they are accomplishing their goal."
If anyone would like a sign for their lawn, email Justin at jhmanley@gmail.com.
Visit http://camy.org/factsheets/index.php?FactsheetID=29 for more info on underage drinking.
When I was in middle school they brought in former addicts who told us how the drugs had affected their lives, even after they had stopped doing them. Worked for me.
the forbidden fruit
make something off limits and very tempting
people want it even more
It wasn't satire, those health books are terrible, maybe even counterproductive. I do wonder if the district has ever tried to find out what anti-drug and alcohol messages actually do work with young children.
Sometimes satire is misplaced.
Have you helped your kids with the health homework in the Metuchen Schools? In the early years, at least, it is more like an instruction manual for drug and alcohol addiction than a warning. I'm quoting the essence of the chapters, if not the actual words . . .
"If you want a stimulant, take this, but you have to breathe it through your nose. If you don't want to do that, there's this other thing that's a pill you can take with water -- or alcohol, if you read last week's lesson. If you want a downer, take this other thing, or you can get really calm with the stuff you can smoke. If you are thinking about inhaling something that will make you feel really crazy, try paint thinner! Just remember, it's all illegal!"
None of these options would have ever occurred to my kid before that week's homework, illegal or not. Maybe it's better to know what exactly you are saying NO to, but really . . .
Read the article to the end.
If anyone would like a sign for their lawn, email Justin at jhmanley@gmail.com.
I really want one of those signs to hang up in my dorm room. where can i get one? is it illegal if i steal one?
Kids are probably just starting to get tanked about now, prom is tonite.
I agree they work. Keep them right out there and tell em the consequences.
Seems no denying it!
So -- what's the bottom-line here?
Without Metuchen-bashing -- are the signs doing their job of opening a discussion, or not?
12:23 You are crazy! Look if you want to be taken seriously and you do happen to have good points that I also agree with. Learn to modulate your pen or brain. I am not sure you are not really a kid. First 9:40 you said and I quote "I can not believe the ignorance of the people in this town." Rather broad--and I do not think you understand how nasty you sound and you do sound fed up with living in Metuchen with you said about your neighbors. So, if you are an adult move to Rumson. As for 9:50 you agreed with 9:40 by saying "Well-said, 9:40 pm!"
Then assuming it is either one of you responding at 12:05pm with the statement to me "You are crazy". What more need be said about another nasty comment. I do not think you realize how bad the both of you sound to other people and if you sound like that to me and are really parents, just think what your kids are picking up and you do not realize it. I can promise you they are saying "yes Mom/Dad" and going out and doing what ever they want while you think that you are going a good job communicating with them. I promise you. Why becuase you are not playing a tape recording of what you say.
What is funny here is that we have a lot of mature viewpoints interspersed with juvenile commentary so I wonder if you are kids, though I will give credit very bright ones and if you are I am impressed. I see hope for this generation in developing articulation and if you are parents no surprise either for 20-30 somethings you need work. That does not make any of you bad however let alone ignorant. It does make you a poor communicator and better take another shot at it.
12:23 You are crazy! I love Meuchen, but I am simply stating, as adults we need to act responsible and show kids that drinking is serious and nobody is above the law as far as underage drinking. I drank before I was 21 and I am sure my kids will also, but I will absolutely under no circumstance let them think it is ok! Kids need to learn on their own, but I want my kids to know what is right and wrong! And I hope they choose friends that have parents that feel the same. If we let them think it is ok to drink under age, we are setting them up to get into situations that lead to driving drunk, date rape or just doing something very stupid they will regret! Grow up and act as a parent! I agree with someone who said I need to be a parent to my kids, not their bedt friend!
I agree with the comment: Talking to kids and working with them on the really stupid dangerous things is what we need to avoid.
And even though many think that the sign-campaign is stupid -- at least it's out there and (hopefully) being discussed. Even if kids are laughing about it (as 1 poster said) -- the reality is that it's out there, parents should bring up the subject if they have a child in the prom/graduation age, and hopefully instill some common sense tactics into their children.
In fact, if you have younger children who aren't anywhere near the age of prom -- these signs should prompt a discussion. Nothing wrong with telling your 4th grader the dangers of drugs and alcohol (they teach it at Campbell) -- start talking at this age -- and hopefully by the time they reach highschool, they have a good head on their shoulders and can be responsible with their actions.
We need to teach these children how to be responsible. Especially with Alcohol and other substances.
Responsible use and training will lessen the impact that alcohol has on our society. ANd according to some doctors, daily use in samll amounts of alcohol may make us live longer.
10:17, The parent of the child who is drinking has to be present for it to be legal. You can't just send Johnny over to Betsy's house with a note saying "It's OK with me if Johnny gets loaded at your house."
Also, according to some comments at the sparsely-attended "Know your Liability" forum on underage drinking at MHS, if a child who is not yours drinks in your home, even with their own parents' presence and consent, and later injures someone else as a result of that drinking, the owners of the home in which the drinking occurred could potentially be held liable.
Kids drinking while at home is legal, as long as their parent supervises them. Growing up, some of my friends parents would allow this and we went there to drink. Of course, when we didn't go there, we went somewhere else, driving around and drank.
The drinking and driving is the thing you want to avoid. Kids will drink, that is a fact. I did it and did some other stupid things also. Now I look back and wonder how I didn't kill myself, but the fact is, kids will drink. Teens do stupid things and laws won't change that. Talking to kids and working with them on the really stupid dangerous things is what we need to avoid. You can't pass laws that will change that, you can punish some, but you won't stop it.
What does that mean? Make it legal? No, but parents need to talk with their kids about it and try to remember what it was like when you were a kid. Realize that they don't want to be hanging out around Mom and Dad but with their friends. They need to know the dangers that await them, they don't need to be sheltered from them. It is going to happen anyway, you can either ignore it or you can talk with them and at least make them aware of the risks they take.
Bucks Co. Teen Injured By Exploding
A popular stunt often seen on the internet sent a Pennsylvania teen to the hospital with serious injuries.
The incident happened Monday afternoon in a wooded area in Sellersville, Bucks County.
According to police, a 16-year-old suffered severe facial injuries after a keg was tossed into a fire pit. The severe pressure from the fire caused the keg to explode and fly in various directions.
The teen was struck by shrapnel from the keg explosion and was rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital. The teen's family told CBS 3 he is expected to eventually recover.
Because the incident involved minors, investigators are withholding details about the incident.
However, the investigation is ongoing.
If a kid can vote and a kid can fight, in my book he should be able to have a brew. Maybe make it kiddie beer like they have in Colorado, you know the 3.2 stuff.
As a libertarian I am offended by the way the congress and mostly Lautenberg, forced the states to raise the drinking limits or lose highway funds.
So now we have an additional layer of prohibition and end up with kids binge drinking when the get to college and killing themselves because they never had any experience with alcohol and don't know how to handle it. And popping pills by the handful since its easier to get than booze.
My father lets me have a glass of wine with dinner, and I am underage. I have been away to my sisters college and have gotten tanked up at a keg party, and I have had a few beers here and there in town.
Should I be in jail?
9:40 & 9:50 keep in mind that you do not know if you are responding to a kid yourself who is trying to impersonate an adult or as Ann likes to call it feeding a troll. For that matter, 9:40 and 9:50 we do not even know if you are really kids. Who knows? Bottom line do not feed into it if you are sincere. If not kids, You are better off with a little less emotion and keeping to your reasons which are right on the mark sans the bashing of neighbors and town folk. If you are trying to raise the social conscious of people you are coming off badly. Some of your pronouncements about residents are down right pompous, unfriendly and suggestive that you are unhappy living anymore in Metuchen and what's funny is you may be reacting to the comments of a kid. If you are not happy here in Metuchen try Rumson, see if you can break into that social strata.
Well-said, 9:40 pm! I'd have to hope that most of the adults in our community feel that way.
By the way -- to the person who said "I'd think something was wrong with my kid if he didn't try to sneak....." Are you for real???
Why not just buy for the underaged kids?
Maybe you should be having open communication with your child.
If your child has to hide things from you now -- do you really think that he'll be coming to your for help or advice in the future?
We are our children's PARENTS -- not their best buddies! How about some of you take responsibility and try to raise up-standing citizens.
Kids will be kids, that is true, however as adults and their parents it is our obligation to inform and continually remind them, underage drinking is wrong! What message are we sending if we say it is ok if you don't get caught? I can not believe the ignorance of the people in this town. I can only hope my children do not find themselves in any of your homes. I would hope the kids my children choose as friends have parents that teach what is right, not what is "cool".
I think the signs may not be the way to teach kids,it must start at home! But apparently many homes are not teaching that, so let's try signs!!!!
All over town there are signs in the right of way. Contractor signs, pop warner signs, real estate signs, signs on the sidewalks downtown. Notice all the flashing, moving, and blinking signs downtown lately? Those are illegal under our ordinance too. So are the big banners. But for some reason they are letting people violate the ordinance instead of enforcing or amending the ordinance.
8:51, How about at 16 or 14 or 12? Is that OK too?
The key words in that post are "get caught." The majority of underage drinkers do not get caught. They learn all right. They learn how not to get caught. They do it behind their parents backs and laugh about it.
So your kids are really cool I guess? You sound like an idiot.
What has that got to do with anything? Get caught and you are either DWI, Illegal Possession of Alcohol or worse. Kids are kids and the way you learn is when you are caught and you pay da piper.
Asked the kids about it as they were walking home today from HS, they all laughed. Said there are plenty of good parties already lined up and they are ready to party
If nothing else the signs remind kids that their folks (and others) are watching. That can't hurt. Thanks Youth Service Board.
Wow, some people just love to complain. You know the fact that someone makes an observation or presents a value judgment does not mean they are complaining. My experience with people in New Jersey is that phrase "complaining" or accusing or suggesting that someone is--is actually a weapon of speech used to intimidate free speech and thought. Thuggish. It does not work with me. No one was personally attacked here, questions were asked and answers given. Some people even praised other people for what they are doing like Justin. What's wrong with that? If you want to intimidate people find another blog. One that deals in literary thuggism. There are plenty out there.
Weber has one of the signs in his yard.
Wow, some people just love to complain. How in the world is this campaign a bad thing? If an underage person is killed in an alcohol related death, then you same people will be back screaming that there wasn't enough money spent on awareness. Just be happy there are people who care. By the way, the message is terrific.
It is quite obvious , Justin is the only council person who is trying to stay on top of things that relate to the town. He asks good questions, and he stimulates conversation or discussion. Weber seems to have a problem with that. Justin cares, he is sincere and genuine. The rest just sit on their hands and do nothing.
I think Justin is just being a Council liason and is working with Metuchen Matters to get the story out about the signs. Nothiing wrong with that, but he alone is not responsible for the signs.
Not to nit-pick. So what is Justin doing? Making himself look like the man in charge? Must have motives? I wonder what they are?
Let's also remember that DWI isn't the only drinking "danger". What about alcohol poisoning and date rape? Having signs posted in yards of people who volunteer to host them does, in fact, get people talking. Whether you agree with the signs or not -- a dialog has began. And kids are seeing the signs, too. What they do with that information, of course, is up to them. But, if it makes one child rethink his/her actions -- it has accomplished something. Guess what -- I know that kids will read the signs and laugh it off -- but grown-ups make bad choices, too. Does everyone wear a seat belt? Nope! But, maybe someday, one of those non-seat-belt-wearing folk will see something that makes him/her wear one. Same concept -- maybe one highschool student will think about these signs and make a wise choice.
Why is everyone so outraged by a program used to educate and hopefully aid in avoiding disaster?
Not to nit-pick, but Justin isn't responsible for the signs, the Youth Alliance and the Youth Services Board are. Justin is the Council liason to the Board.
Well I am not the one complaining, but I say restrictions on drinking for anyone who is not military under age 21. So what Justin is doing is okay by me. I do not like signs on properities more then anyone else, but when it comes to meaningful issues that are not for profit. Let's put em in the the right of way and ignore the law. We should do the same for our kids in the military too. That is al I am saying.
The fact of the matter is that it is illegal to drink under the age of 21, whether you disagree with the law or not. Educating teens that it is illegal to drink on prom night cannot be a bad thing, especially since there are substantially more accidents involving DWIs on prom night than on most other nights. How can that be wrong? Are you just looking to complain?
If my kid didn't try to sneak some brews when he was 18. Well I share some of your sentiment. Fact of the matter is we take 18 year olds and train them to kill for our country. Parents get over it if you do not like it. I do not care if it is a boy or a girl. They are all equal to me. They could use a drink and a smoke. I have no sympathy for liberals or conservatives. Fact of the matter, however, stats do not lie--accidents and deaths to DWI are greater with 18-21 year olds drinking/driving or just driving. Why expedience/maturity of course. So, restrictions are necessary but I would exempt those with a valid DoD military identification. If you can wear the uniform of our country you can have a drink and smoke. But, if you screw up you pay the price like anyone else. Rank has its privilege.
I would rather we educate, about the dangers of drviing under the influence of any substance and the misuse of any substances.
And we encourage responsible use of any substance.
Threatening jail hasnt worked in the past and I dont think it will work now or in the future.
But thanks for the usual kneejerk response.
So I guess rather than stressing that it's illegal to drink while underage, you'd prefer that we promote underage drinking?
If my kid didnt try to sneak some brews when he was 18 I would think something is wrong with him. I would be more mad he or she got caught than he or she was trying to drink.
If someone can vote for president, drive a car, go to some god forsaken country to kill our enemies for us, I think they have every right to have a drink or two.
Of course driving while under the influence should land everyone who does it in jail, 18 or 88, whatever the age.
Kid of hard for me to get worked up about a bunch of kids going in to the woods with a thirty pack and having a good time. Its called growing up, and unfortunately for us with kids, it happens.
Well, unless a vehicle homicide is involved. You won't be going to county jail and changing your clothing among other things as if a DWI at any age. No matter what the age if DWI you are going to be "handcuffed", "searched" and "placed in a holding cell" within the PD of arrest and while you are "under arrest" you will be processed for a breath test. You may then be held till someone can pick you up if RoR. It is hard on any age but well deserved and the fear of a kid waiting for a parent is a sight to behold. I saw it many a time.
Are we really going to through kids who drink underage in jail? Really?
Somehow I doubt it