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Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal
encourages Greek students at
University of Wyoming to consider the effects
of drinking on themselves and on others in their community.
LARAMIE – When Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal speaks
about reducing underage drinking, she often shares a little
something from her own life that connects with her
audiences.
Before a large audience of Greek community students at
University of Wyoming April 12, Freudenthal talked about her
24-year-old son working on his doctorate degree in
biochemistry.
At home for a family dinner, he told his mom that friends
thought she’d “gone off the deep end” with the underage
drinking campaign.
“He tells them, ‘This issue my mom works on deals with kids
9 to 15. Do you think kids that young should be drinking’,”
Freudenthal said. “From my perspective, there should be no
debate that kids between 9 and 15 should not be drinking.”
Usually, Freudenthal’s message is about children drinking.
Before the college students, she shifted to a discussion on
the life-altering consequences of binge drinking, a practice
all too common on college campuses.
“You’re all to be congratulated for being here tonight,” she
said. “I do believe voices for change can make a huge
difference.”
Students can act – all it takes is a simple step or two, she
said. First, educate yourself. Understand the consequences.
Then, take action. Start with yourself, then help your
friends. And never forget what kind of a model you are for
younger teens.
Holding up an article from a recent Wyoming Tribune Eagle
edition, Freudenthal flashes a front-page story about a
19-year-old convicted in a drunk driving accident, a
real-life example of the dramatic ways drinking can change a
young person’s world. The rest of his life is on hold, she
explained, probably forever changed, as he serves jail time,
faces probation and figures out how to pay $700,000 in
restitution.
“Why accept that risk?” she queried the students. “Why
handicap your future? Too many people in our society are
confused about responsible drinking.”
Also in Laramie, a number of panelists shared their thoughts
on underage drinking at UW. Kathy Hunt, serving on the
college Board of Trustees, encouraged students to consider
the massive liability incurred when they sell or furnish
alcohol to minors, or when they allow parties at their
residences where minors might drink. People can be held
liable as individuals and as fraternities, she said, under
state and municipal social host laws.
A campus prevention program coordinator explained ways some
students are working to spread a new message – that
high-risk drinking is not okay. Medical personnel discussed
the terrible incidents they’ve seen of students dangerously
intoxicated. |
