News Release                   For Immediate Release

October 15, 2004

Alcohol, Teens & Catastrophe:

What Every Parent Needs To Know About Avoiding Alcohol Liability

How many times have you heard of a party that started out small and fun but ended up

massive, dangerous and no fun at all?  Or, started out large and just kept getting bigger. Have you left yourself or your family open to a civil lawsuit?

Professor Robert Solomon from the University of Western Ontario, an expert in the area of alcohol liability and senior policy advisor from MADD Canada, will be coming to the Walkerton Community Centre to discuss this issue.  On Wednesday, October 27th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Professor Robert Solomon will speak to parents, and others who are interested, about teen parties and alcohol-related liability.  He is a very knowledgeable speaker and is good at providing many examples of actual legal cases in Ontario involving teen parties and their outcomes, and then discussing ways to avoid those situations.

“When we surveyed parents in 2003, this was information parents said they would like to have,” says Linda Yenssen, Public Health Nurse.  “Parents indicated that dealing with the issue of teen parties, alcohol use, and get-togethers that get out of hand is one of their prime concerns when it comes to parenting their pre-teens and teens.”

There will be displays and other substance abuse prevention materials available at this event.  Plan to attend.  Share this information with anyone else that you feel may be interested in attending.  There is no fee and reservations are not required.  Donations will be welcomed.  The event is organized by The Sacred Heart and Walkerton District Addictive Substance Committee and sponsored by The Walkerton Community Foundation and The Co-operators.

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Attachments:

Jpeg photo of speaker Professor Robert Solomon

For more information:

Linda Yenssen

Public Health Nurse, Injury Prevention

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-881-1920 Ext. 231