Agents group and Texas PTA team up to fight teen drinking

With Texas leading the nation in alcohol related deaths among young people, the Texas PTA and the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas have launched a statewide campaign designed to prevent underage drinking.

The campaign includes a workshop series, curriculum guide and local presentations all aimed at helping families and communities throughout Texas prevent underage drinking. It features a documentary, “Party 101: Con-sequences” which premiered in Austin on Feb. 28, at the Paramount Theatre.

In addition to the main documentary, the DVD includes special breakout sessions, one designed for parents and the other designed for educators to explore the damaging effects and severe consequences of teen drinking.

The “Party 101: Consequences” development team involved teens in the creation, production and taping of the program. It allows viewers to learn directly from teens about what really goes on at teen parties and the real consequences of underage drinking. Some of the issues addressed include drinking and driving, missing out on teenage rituals such as prom and graduation, date rape, developmental effects, easy access to alcohol and the fact that many teens get alcohol at homes rather than from external outlets.

The documentary and breakout segments were produced by Christopher Productions, an Emmy-award winning filmmaker recognized for work on social issues, many of which are focused on challenges teens face. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison introduces the documentary, acknowledging the need to combat the epidemic of teenage drinking in Texas.

IIAT and Texas PTA members are prepared to lead free programs of “Party 101: Consequences” in communities across the state. Those who prefer to view the documentary at home with their families, can request free DVDs; both the presentations and the free DVDs can be requested via the IIAT Web site at iiat.org and the Texas PTA Web site, www.txpta.org or by calling 1-800-TALK-PTA.