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Show Teenage drinking and driving tells a sad story for many This is the second in a two-part series discussing the problem of teenage drinking and driving in the area. It is published here as part of a community effort to solve the problem. By STEWART SMITH Record Reporter CEDAR CITY Lisa Terril is now eighteen years old. A little more than a year ago she was not unlike every other teenager. She was active and enjoyed many things. She loved to ski and dance, in fact, one of her goals was to become a dancer. She more than likely would have, had it not been for the accident that to this day has left her paralyzed. Lisa cannot remember her accident, but she does know why she was in one. She was at a party in St. George with some other kids and was drinking quite a bit. She was on her way in her new Camaro to get some more alcohol when she took a corner too fast. Lisa spent three weeks in intensive care after being flown to a Las Vegas hospital, her back was broken in three places, leaving her paralyzed. The doctors who treat Lisa are skeptical as to her chances of ever walking again. Lisa is an example of the numerous accidents now occurring in southern Utah. There are many kids however that were not as fortunate as Lisa, who herself was very unfortunate. Lisa readily admits to the cause of her accident alcohol. Before the accident ac-cident she would have said the same things kids say today. "It never happens hap-pens to you or even to anyone you know," she explained was her attitude. But it did happen. Lisa is now involved in a campaign to help youth realize the dangers of drinking and driving. "I think it's a bigger problem than people realize," she said. She is doubtful of changing all the attitudes of youth about drinking and driving, but she is hopeful of maybe changing those of one or two. Why do teenagers drink? And if they drink why do they take the added risk of driving? Teenagers will readily admit to the fact that they drink to have a good time. "It's fun and something different to do," mentioned one youth. Another admitted that he drank because his friends did. "We're in our cars when we drink," explained one anonymous teenager to the Record, "because there's nowhere else to go. We can't go home and drink, and we can't go to the bars, so we just drive around." Some kids drink as a way of escape, a way of getting away from social pressures, school and family problems. When they drink they feel a temporary escape and seclusion from their problems. Driving adds to this feeling and gives them a feeling of security. More often than not the teenagers that drink and drive are able to do so without getting caught. However, this doesn't mean that all of them get away with it. Trooper David Excell said that when they are caught they cry for mercy. "Please don't tell my parents, they don't know," they'll say. When they are caught they usually attend a youth alcohol school as part of their punishment. Neal Smith is in charge of the school that attempts to relate to the kids the dangers of drinking and driving. The parents of the youth are also expected to attend the school that is taught by Smith and various other members of the community. com-munity. "The kids attending the school usually are upset with having to attend the school," explained Smith, "but by the end of the course they feel they have things under control." There is no one solution to the growing teenage drinking and driving problem, but there are a number of things that can be done to help alleivate it. Neal Smith feels that communication is one problem and also a solution-to teenage drinking and driving "Communication "Com-munication between parents and their children can help the drinking youth," Smith s said. A part of the course that he teaches to teenagers deals with this type of communication. Communication may not be the best answer to teenage drinking and driving, but it can help. Another possible solution is involvement. in-volvement. Judge Joseph Jackson feels that the more kids are involved in some type of activity the less likely they are to drink and drive. "Every youth has something that he does well and enjoys en-joys doing. Kids need to find it and develop it; this keeps them out of trouble," Jackson explained. "Parents can help their children by getting them interested in sports, music or anything; and this will help the kids stay out of trouble." Lisa adds her feelings to the problem: "If somebody would have said that I was in no condition to drive I probably never would have." Most kids will listen if someone their own age tells them not to drive when they're drunk. "Peer pressure would have worked on me," Lisa said. "I never would have admitted that I was too drunk to drive, but if somebody else would have said something I wouldn't have." |