Apr 30, 2009 6:29 pm US/Central
Cops Using Ads To Prevent Underage Drinking
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
North suburban police have a new weapon to stop teen drinking: advertising.
It urges people to tell police if they see it happening.
Many newspaper readers saw a full page ad in Thursday's editions warning parents that alcohol and kids are a toxic mix. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports on a tragedy that sparked the campaign.
In 2006, Ross Trace and Danny Bell died in a drunken driving crash. Both had been drinking at a homecoming night party at the Deerfield home of Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell. The Hutsells were charged with allowing underage drinking in their home.
"Since that event and even before we took proactive steps," said Chief John Sliozis of the Deerfield Police Department.
"And part of what we we're seeing is parents are part of the problem; they were condoning this part of behavior," Sliozis said.
Deerfield's police chief is joining forces with four neighboring departments and "SpeakUp Prevention Coalition." The goal of the "Parents Who Host Lose The Most" campaign is to encourage anyone who knows about underage drinking to contact police.
"So you're encouraging people to speak up against a neighbor, you know, kind of snitch. I'm encouraging people to speak up to their friends and to other parents to tell them they're concerned about their own children," said Betty Frank-Bailey of the SpeakUp Prevention Coalition.
As prom season approaches, all local hotels, limo and cab companies and parents are receiving letters from the Deerfield police stressing the dangers of underage drinking and the dangers for those who choose to let it happen.
Parents and young people who spoke with CBS 2 said they think the letter and ad campaign can make a difference.
"I've actually been in that experience, I've been at people's houses and their parents think its okay," said Kayla Strejc, a Chicago student.
"With everything that's happened in Deerfield, most parents have a real hold on that, and this reinforces the issue," said local parent Betsy Wells.
Police are also reinforcing the issue with area liquor stores. Undercover sting operations will take place to make sure those behind the counter are checking IDs. In the meantime, the director of the SpeakUp Prevention Coalition stresses the ad is meant to encourage parents to stop and think about the consequences of serving alcohol to teens at a party.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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