Mulvane, Kansas - The community of Mulvane is fighting back over a growing concern of drugs and alcohol abuse among Mulvane teens.
"Anytime a student steps up and shocks you like that," says Mulvane Principal Jay Ensley, "You kind of have to do a double take."
It was several individual teenagers that began to tell parents in Mulvane there was a problem with teen drinking and drugs. Mulvane schools decided to take action.
A susbstance abuse task task force was begun after the first of the year and members have been meeting to gather ideas on what can be done to curb the problem.
"We have to find out as much as possible about that culture," explains Ensley, "then we can do a better job of changing behaviors."
Also "in" on the task force... members of the community.
"Underage drinking is really harmful to teens," explains Lisa Blume of the Regional Prevention Center at Mirror Incorporated. "More and more research every day."
Mulvane Principal Ensley says his school probably does not have more teen abuse of drugs and alcohol than any other in the Wichita metro area. Ensley says it's all about being proactive.
Mulvane will have an open town hall meeting at seven in the evening on the 24th of this month.
