SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Many teens, even in Utah, are becoming dependent on alcohol to deal with everyday struggles. With Senate Bill 258, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff hopes to secure more funding for prevention programs, but are these programs effective?
There is no doubt many people enjoy an adult beverage from time to time. “The State of Utah is in the business of selling alcohol, and we make a lot of money off of it,” said Shurtleff.
He told ABC 4 News alcohol sales fund a program called parents empowered. It's designed to fight underage drinking. However, right now there isn’t enough money going to the program. He wants one percent of the D.A.B.C.'s profits.
“These days kids are smart. You can’t say no. They are going to ask why? Especially with alcohol,” said Shurtleff.
Clinics like Ace's Counseling Services have been treating more teens battling booze in Utah. “I think it's being normalized among peers, younger 18-20. The binge drinking is becoming bigger,” said Isaac Phillips, a therapist.
Parents believe preventive programs can help some teens, but they also say the education begins at home. “Parents have to be involved as well. If it's just the money it's not going to work,” said Anne Lansing.
“It's a two edged sword. Some parents say no and if you do you will be in trouble, and that tells me to go do it. The opposite is that it's okay to go do that,” said Scott Quinney.
Lansing says she simply talks to her 20-year-old son about making the right choices. “I know I may not like everything, but because I have that relationship with them, I hear a lot more than I would want to as a mom,” she commented.
