Recent News About Liquor, Drugs And Minors Upsetting But Not Surprising, M.A.D.E. Officials Say; Underscores Need To Continue Addressing Issue

News on Monday that five of 14 local establishments failed a spot check of adherence to state liquor laws does not suprise officials from the Madison Alcohol and Drug Education (M.A.D.E.) Coalition, but they do say it underscores the need for the community to continue to address issues relating to drug and alcohol use among tweens and teens in Madison.

"Thanks to the police department. These things need to be done," said Tina Garrity, M.A.D.E. vice chairman. "And, while it's too bad we have this problem, thanks to the business people who are dealing with it after it was brought to their attention. We're all human, we make mistakes. Let's admit it and deal with it."

Other recent incidents include a report of a minor and alcohol at Polson Middle School and narcotics at the high school.

Garrity made her comments during a break while moderating M.A.D.E's World Cafe Monday evening at the town's Surf Club. The community conversation focused on issues and attitudes relating to alcohol and drug use in town, and how best to deal with it.

Lori Lodge, M.A.D.E. chairman, said she found it disturbing that so many establishments failed to comply with state liquor laws prohibiting the sale of liquor to minors. On the other hand, she said, it's also true that most minors who consume alchohol get it from family members or from their own homes.

She said it's important to remember that the majority of teens and tweens in Madison do not abuse drugs and alchohol, according to a recent survey. "We also need to emphasize what's going right and figure out how to build on that," she said.

Letting adults know they are not alone when they confront these problems

"There's a lot of work to do," Lodge said. She said the goal of M.A.D.E. is in part to let adults in the community know that they are not alone when they insist on calling other parents to make sure they are home when a child visits, and to insist on calling other parents when they see a friend of their child engage in risky or illegal behavior.

"Our programs are a safe place to talk about that, and to figure out the best way to address these problems," she said.

Garrity said M.A.D.E. is increasingly making efforts to involve surrounding communities including Clinton, Guilford, and Killingworth, because the problem does not stop at the town line. She noted that several paticipants in Monday evening's event were from surrounding towns.

Upcoming events include documentary, workshops, and book discussion

"It exists all over," she said. "We need to work together to support each other."

Upcoming events sponsored by M.A.D.E. include

• Race To Nowhere, the award-winning documentary film "revealing the dark side of America's acheivement culture." Wednesday, March 23rd, doors open at 6:30 p.m. and movie begins at 7 p.m. at the Polson Middle School Auditorium. Moderated discussion to follow. Tickets can be purchased in advance at madeinmadison.org and any tickets left will be available the night of the event.
• "Positive Family Communication; Creating An Environment For Raising Health Kids," a workshop facilitated by Taffy Bowes, assistant director of Madison Youth and Family Services and Kerry Graham Shay. Wednesday, April 6, 7 to 9 p.m., Fellowship Hall, North Madison Congregational Church.
• Pathways To Self, demonstrations of classic and healing arts including music, yoga, happiness, massage, meditation, art and more "to explore and inspire teens and adults." Sunday, April 10, 1 to 4 p.m., Arts Barn at the Town Campus.
• Smashed, Story of a Drunken Childhood, a book discussion. Wednesday, April 13th, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Scranton Memorial Library.

To register for any of the above events, email madeinmadison@madisonct.org or call 203-245-5645.