By Mike McGrath
Montana Attorney General Every so often, Montana finds itself in the wrong kind of spotlight.
Earlier this year, the annual Kids Count report showed that Montana has one of the highest teen death rates in the nation. The report ranks states using indicators related to health, family and education. When it comes to teen death rates from all causes, Montana is ranked second-worst in the nation. Only Alaska had a higher rate.
And our state is routinely among the nation's worst.
Research by the Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by Americas leading distillers, shows that 65 percent of underage drinkers get alcohol from family and friends.
The Century Council created a public education campaign that highlights the point-of-access to alcohol by underage youth. The campaign encourages parents to play a more active role in keeping alcohol out of the hands of young people.
The key components to the campaign are a 30-second public service announcement, buttons and tip cards that provide tips for adults on how to talk to about alcohol. To order materials, contact the Century Council at
and click on "order."
By strictly enforcing our state's underage drinking laws, Montana's tavern owners play an especially important part in helping protect our young people.
And as business owners and community members, there is more you can do, like sponsoring local sports teams and events and supporting organizations that help Montana kids.
When it comes to supporting our children, particularly the ones who are at the greatest risk of making the wrong choices, I can recommend two Montana programs that make a real difference: Boys and Girls Clubs and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Montana's Boys and Girls Clubs give young people something productive and fun to do. They give kids somewhere safe to go. And they give them adults and other young people to look up to and become friends with. The average cost for a child to go to a Boys and Girls Club for an entire year is about $200. I think its a worthwhile investment.
Mentoring programs like Big Brothers, Big Sisters that pair adults and at-risk children have been shown to: substantially reduce alcohol and illegal drug use, help children get along better with their peers, perform better in school and make children less likely to hit someone else or skip school.
Too many Montana teens are experiencing the consequences of drinking too much, too soon, and so I urge you to be vigilant in your enforcement of our underage drinking laws. While you're at it, consider joining with your local Boys and Girls Club or Big Brothers, Big Sisters chapter to make a positive difference in the life of a child.
Members of the Montana Tavern Association have always been strong supporters of their communities and youth. Let's work together to prevent underage drinking.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, Sept., 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.