Social Justice

Alcohol: True Stories

Reviewed by Pat Hoertdoerfer
Children, Family and Intergenerational Programs Director
Lifespan Faith Development, UUA
Boston, MA

Alcohol: True Stories includes a 20-minute video, Discussion Guide, poster, and bookmark.
Produced by Family Health Productions www.AboutHealth.com

Matt Damon, host
Alcohol: True Stories is hosted by Matt Damon and begins with the facts and statistics that underage drinking is directly linked with injuries, fatalities, violence, and sexual risk-taking. When alcohol is abused … used as a crutch or an escape, it's dangerous. And if you are under 21, it's not legal. Be honest with yourself. Ask yourself … Am I risking hurting somebody I love? Am I risking hurting myself? He then tells how alcohol impacted the lives of four young people.

The Four Profiles

• Robert was a member of a pre-Olympic soccer team. After drinking, he crashed his dad's car. "My right leg was embedded in the engine and my body was thrown through the windshield." Then Robert had to face how his life had changed forever.
• Megan entered treatment for alcoholism at 16. She tells about the sexual assault that led to her asking her parents for help. "I can remember sitting there and just not feeling good about me inside or outside, and wanting just … another solution other than drinking."
• Dana had lost two family members to murder. Despite the stress in her life she says she avoids alcohol to stay safe and focused. "I can understand when a person has problems and want to drink, but I think it would be better to find another way."
• Ilton is a talented hip-hop dancer. He avoids alcohol because of his sport and his desire to be a positive role model for others. "Being in a group that doesn't drink it helps a lot you know because its like whenever one's falling down … you got the whole group to pick you up."

Producers
Family Health Productions president Jeanne Blake (producer of Raising Healthy Kids videos and others) is a television medical reporter and says this video is based on research to maximize its impact. "We explored the reasons young people drink alcohol and profiled young people whose stories would underscore those factors." The project's advisors - Howard Shaffer, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School and Paula Rauch, MD/Child Psychiatrist, MA General Hospital - focus on the subtle but substantial lost opportunities that can result from underage drinking.

Suggested Use These resources would be excellent components for a junior high/middle school or senior high religious education program, YRUU youth group program, family life education program, intergenerational (youth with their parents) program, and/or an additional Our Whole Lives Grades 7-9 / Our Whole Lives Grades 10-12 session. The Discussion Guide includes eight learning activities and there are packages of 25 bookmarks to give to participants. There is also a Family Viewing Guide to help parents and families explore their own values about alcohol.