South County Students Talk About Drinking, Drugs and Partying

Underage drinking, drunk driving and drug use are fast becoming ways of life for area teens, according to a panel of their peers who talked to parents last week.

The group of seven South County High School students participated in "Saturday Night in the Suburbs," a program that educates parents of rising middle and high school students. Participants told a group of about 35 parents in the eye-opening program that partying and illegal behavior are realities that need to be closely watched. 

"Knowing you can call your parents when you're drunk is important," said one senior. "Your kid is going to drink, whether you like it or not, at least once to know what it's like. Most people go to the party to get drunk. Some people just want to be seen as drunk and they pretend. But even if people are playing a game it's a drinking game."

Alcohol and marijuana use are the most common drugs used by Fairfax County students, they said. "When you know people who come to school high in the morning, you know there's a problem," said another senior. "On the weekends... there's always a party."

Underage drinking can also lead to drunk driving. "A lot of people do it," said another senior. "I think the reason we don't care as much about drunk driving [at South County] is that we've been fortunate enough not to have a senior who has died. It's unfortunate, but that's probably what it's going to take to control it." 

How Do They Get Away With It? 

The panelists agreed that South County students drink at parties. "The majority of my grade parties and drinks and I know several people in my grade that have gotten alcohol poisoning and have had to go to the hospital," said a junior panelist. "I know a couple of people who have older siblings who buy it [alcohol] for them, or parents who don't drink as much and don't know the alcohol is missing. Some spots don't even check your ID or accept fake IDs."

Who's doing the partying? "Juniors and sophomores drink just as much as seniors because they want to be thought of as just as cool," said a senior panelist. "I have friends who have gone drunk to football and basketball games and have gone totally unnoticed by teachers, then go out to the parking lot and get caught. Some have been arrested." 

Teens often lie about their true destination. "If you know your parents are going to say you can't go to a party, I know people who tell them they're going somewhere else instead," said another panelist. 

Teens mix alcohol with Kool-Aid, Gatorade, sweet tea—anything to mask the scent. "Eating food also gets rid of the smell, so a lot of people just eat food before they go home," said a panelist. 

Marijuana use, which was seen as on-par with alcohol use by the panelists, is on the rise. "I've got a buddy who gets high two or three times a day. His parents aren't really involved. He calls them by their first name," said a senior.  

Marijuana is easily accessible, and widespread medicinal usage has many questioning its ill-effects. "A lot of kids have access to it. Kids will buy it at school and in the bathrooms—some people will even show up to sports practice high," said a student. "I know people at our school who leave in the middle of the day to go smoke." 

Prescription medication and pain killers can also be found at school and parties. "Eleventh and 12th-grade kids get their wisdom teeth taken out and they get a large amount of prescription drugs to use, and sell," said a senior panelist. 

The night before a project is due or studying for a test can also pressure some students. "In your junior and senior year, if you're up late, and a test is coming up and you get drowsy, you could go to sleep and not do well on the test, or you can pop a few pills."

What to Do

Ever heard of the hug test? The panelists advised that when your kids get home, observe behavioral changes and get close enough to smell the alcohol on their breath. 

"Alcohol is the drug of choice for Fairfax County students and students across the country," said Diane Eckert of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County. "It's very easy for kids to use and you have to be aware of any behavioral changes."

Some grocery and drug stores carry drug and alcohol tests, which can be administered by parents. There are also County and national resources. If you're still having a problem understanding your kid, "A Parent's Guide to the Teen Brain" might help, but so will talking it out, Eckert said. 

Parents should have realistic expectations, said one senior. "The trust I have with my parents, I think, is pretty solid," he said. "I worked on it for years, and if you're starting now to have a good relationship with your kids, it may be too late. I wouldn't say don't try, but if the trust wasn't there to begin with, in a couple years they'll be going off to college and then who knows what they'll be doing." 

2010-2011 School Year Fairfax County Youth Survey

Smoked Marijuana in Last 30 Days