Party delivers sobering message
By Kristi Patton - Penticton Western News

For many parents of teenagers, it’s their worst nightmare — and Daryl Meyers is inviting them to witness it.

Reality parties for parents is a novel approach to demonstrate first-hand scenarios of incidents that happen at many teen parties.

“The mock party will feature all the paraphernalia used when youth get together and have a drinking party,” said Meyers, a youth outreach counsellor for Pathways Addictions Resource Centre. “The parties culminate into a mini-forum where parents, youth and professionals from the community talk about the reality these parties bring to the lives of our young people and the liability it may also bring to parents who knowingly host these types of parties.”

While statistics show that half of all students will try alcohol for the first time in middle school, it is the shocking truths of what happens at many of the teen parties that Meyers said will surprise parents. With the help of teen actors, parents will be toured through the mock party house, stopping at different scenarios.

“Reality parties drive home the shocking truth about what goes on when excessive binge drinking becomes the focus. With the youth posing as actors, the parties show what happens when a moment of fun can turn into a parent’s worst nightmare,” said Meyers.

Scenarios include drinking games to the point of passing out, girls vulnerable to sexual assault while passed out in bedrooms, date rape drugs being put into drinks, fights breaking out with the police attending, alcohol poisoning resulting in paramedics being called, casual use of street drugs and the huge mess of uncertainty that follows, including the issue of property damage and drinking and driving.

“Organizers would like to help parents understand the culture, face the current realities and learn why and how we need adults to help change these dangerous social norms. This project is not to scare parents but to assist them to begin to open up communication with their teens and discuss what to do if they find themselves or a friend in any of the scenarios,” said Meyers.

In 2008, Pathways held their first reality party focusing more on alcohol, and received a lot of positive feedback from parents and youth who participated.

“This time we are going to still focus on alcohol, but drugs as well. This came out of feedback that we received from parents and the kids who wanted us to delve into that topic. We really encourage parents to bring their kids, but they have to be 12 years or older. It is a great way to open the lines of communication up and the parent can ask their child if they have seen this behaviour before, ask how they reacted or would react. Or, they can even tell the child that is why they are concerned if they do go to a party, because this kind of stuff does happen and let’s talk about it,” said Meyers.

The reality party tours take place on May 5 starting at 6 p.m. A total of five tours are offered with parents and teens being bused to the party house every half hour. After the tour parents will be bused back to Skaha Middle School to have an open discussion with youth, community professionals and others to learn why these parties are becoming so dangerous and how parents may be liable if it happens in their home. Parents will receive a tool kit, including a CD with a wealth of information on teenage binge drinking. Reservations are required to book a space on the tour and can be made by calling Meyers at 250-492-0400.

This event is free of charge with funding from the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan, Business Gives Back, Okanagan Fest-of-Ale Society and the Kinette Club of Penticton.