Schools

Fairfax County Binge Drinking Education Series Starts Tonight

"The Perils Of Drinking Culture" kicks off at Langley High School

As prom and graduation season gets underway, Fairfax County officials are bringing a series of programs to local high schools that warn and educate parents and students about the dangers of binge drinking.

The presentation, called "The Perils Of Drinking Culture," will come to the Langley High School Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight. It's the first of five identical presentations held across the county by the United Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County Public Schools, the Safe Community Coalition and the Fairfax County Police Department.

Parents and students will watch the award-winning film "Haze," a graphically-told true story about the death of a freshman at the University of Colorado. The film serves as a way to open the eyes of attendees by putting a realistic face on college campus drinking issues. They'll also participate in a question and answer forum with Raymond F. Morrogh, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County; Fairfax County Police Chief Dave Rohrer and Captain Bruce Ferguson;  Dr. William Hauda, Emergency Physician, Inova Fairfax Hospital; and Jeff Levy, father of a student who died following drinking at a college party.

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It's an especially timely topic, said UPC member Becky York, given the recent death of three Olney, Md. teens, who were killed when the vehicle they were riding in crashed into a telephone poll and two trees.

"It’s a must see with your teen before he or she leaves for college," wrote the Family Network committee of the Langley PTSA, which is helping to sponsoring tonight's meeting.

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Other dates and locations for the forum include (all programs are from 7 to 9 p.m.):

  • Tuesday, May 24, Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax
  • Wednesday, June 8, Mount Vernon High School, 8515 Old Mt. Vernon Road, Alexandria
  • Wednesday, July 20, West Springfield High School Spartan Hall, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield
  • Wednesday, July 27, Westfield High School Auditorium, 4700 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly

No reservation is required and all are welcome to attend, with or without their teen, the police said.

For more information, contact Lucy Caldwell at the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-246-3271 or visit the Unified Prevention Coalition website.


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