BOOK REVIEW
E! HUSKETEERS
Students teach and entertain using puppets | 3D
Coming-of-age story set on Alcatraz Island | 4D T U E S D A Y , M A Y 23, 2006
ALKBACK
chool’s out this week for most stuS dents in West Alabama. Talkback traveled to Holy Spirit Catholic High
School to find out what will happen after the books are closed. We asked: “How do you plan to spend your time this summer?”
“For the first half of the summer, I am in a play with Theatre Tuscaloosa called “Hello Dolly.” After that, I’m going on a mission trip to Mississippi with my youth group. Other than that, I’ll probably just be doing stuff with my friends. I’ll probably go to New Orleans a few times to visit my family. I may participate in a few voice competitions, also.” — Kathryn David, 16, junior
SECTION D WWW.TUSCALOOSANEWS.COM
Higher education
Studies show dangerous trends in teen drug and alcohol abuse
“I plan on kickin’ back and relaxing this summer. The World Cup is on, and I plan on watching as many games as I can. I also plan on being with friends and attending a few soccer camps. I will be working hard on improving my soccer skills for college. I enjoy soccer and am really looking for ward to a great summer.” — Nick Davis, 16, sophomore
“I have planned to initiate the summer on a cruise where I will be performing with a dance group. I will also be traveling around Mexico to visit family. When I return, I will be at a dance camp at Susu’s Academy of Ballet and Jazz. While I am in town, I will probably be working or hanging out with my friends.” — Irene Naranjo, 15, sophomore
“This summer, I really want to catch up and hang out with my older brother Matt. He just finished his first year at [The University of] Alabama, and it was very difficult at times this year with him not being there. I’m also planning on going up to my uncle’s lake house in Kentucky where we will have our annual family reunion. Another big part of my summer will be youth group activities, which include Six Flags, a rafting trip and going down to Biloxi [Miss.] with a group from Boston to help with the relief because of Hurricane Katrina.” — Christopher Kinney, 17, junior
“I plan to spend most of my summer playing softball and attending camps. I am also hoping to spend time with my friends and hang out around the pool. This summer should be pretty relaxing compared to past ones where I have spent most of my time playing travel softball.” — Christianna Denelsbeck, 14, freshman
TAKING THE
STAFF ILLUSTRATION | ANTHONY BRATINA
By Daniel Gaddy
“J
Staff Writer
ust Say No,” “This is your brain on drugs,” “Just tell your brother you forgot to pick him up because you were off getting high; he’ll understand.” Teenagers are bombarded with messages that tell them not to drink or do drugs, and school officials are starting to utilize intense and heart-wrenching assemblies to keep students away from substance abuse. Recent statistics are showing these messages are needed. According to a survey conducted by the Parent Research Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) of Tuscaloosa, nearly 5 percent of high school students in Tuscaloosa drink alcohol on a daily basis, and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health rated 19 percent of teenagers as binge drinkers. Some local students and activists said students are abusing drugs and alcohol because they believe they will not be harmed. Jeff Orr, a senior at Hillcrest High School, said he believes students who use drugs or
Multiethnic teens struggle with self-identity, others’ perceptions By Katie Soe
Knight Ridder/Tribune
Are you planning to get a job this summer? To vote, visit www.tuscaloosa news.com and click on the word “Pulse” on the left side of the screen.
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S QUESTION
How many hours a week do you exercise? None One to three Four to six More than six
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alcohol would not stop unless a drug- or alcoholrelated tragedy comes close to them. Most students agree that both drinking and drug use are prevalent among teenagers. “You can get on Facebook and see [pictures of students drinking],” said Northridge High School junior Sam Martone. He said many teenagers view drinking as OK because it is glorified in the media and today’s culture. Salisha Marshall, a senior at Central High School, said substance abuse is a part of many teenagers’ home lives and use that fact as an excuse to do it themselves. Though she recognized that underage drinking is prevalent, Marshall said she believes marijuana use is the biggest problem in
Tuscaloosa. The PRIDE sur vey found that nearly 18 percent of high school students use marijuana on a monthly basis. Molly West, a junior at Northridge, said Tuscaloosa being a college town certainly doesn’t help the levels of underage drinking. She said it is very common to see complete strangers buying alcohol for teenagers. “The famous ‘hey buddy’ line works well,” she said. Justin Brown, a senior at Central, said he believes the biggest factor influencing teen substance abuse is peer pressure. Joe Powell, executive director of PRIDE, agreed and said that for most 12- to 13-yearolds, peer pressure is more important than parental influence. To combat statistics like these, the Tuscaloosa community has developed programs like CEASE or the Community Efforts SEE TEENS | 8D
Irau Brooks juggles two cultural backgrounds. “I have dark skin, but long wavy Pacific Islander hair. I have the African-American nose, but I have the slightly slanted Pacific Islander/Asian eyes,” she said. A senior at the Urban School of San Francisco, she says she is perceived differently by those in each culture. “The Pacific Islanders consider me one of their own, while African-Americans recognize that I am of a mixed background by my dress and speech,” she said. Irau is
like many teenagers who are struggling to define themselves. Yet, pinpointing one’s identity is often a challenge for those who represent contrasting cultures. Many of Irau’s peers classify her as solely African-American based on her physical attributes. “It bothers me when people tell me that I should know something because I’m black — like a certain rap song — but then I think, ‘Wait, I’m also Polynesian, so I shouldn’t have to know.’ ” Irau says she doesn’t want to choose one identity. “I want to be known as ‘multiracial,’ not ‘other,’ ”
she said. She may get her wish. California is considering becoming the first state to allow people of mixed ethnicity to check off more than one race on official forms. “That would be really exciting,” said Irau when she learned of the proposed new rules. “That box is definitely me, as opposed to ‘other.’ ” A teen’s multiethnicity is often a catalyst for wanting to learn more about one’s culture and traditions. That was the case for Natasha Mody. “Being half Persian, half Indian and SEE ETHNIC | 8D KRT
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