All ages gather for discussion of drugs, alcohol

Viewers sniffled in the dark while videos about substance abuse made by local youth played in the Carson City Library auditorium Saturday. Called "Choices That Help," the afternoon of film and discussion was organized by the Court Appointed Special Advocates.

"It was heart wrenching," said Dale Lyon, whose son, Matthew, worked on a video about AIDS. Other videos, made by the Carson High School video production class and the BAC Stage Kids, dealt with smoking, methamphetamine, drinking and driving and date rape.

"I was very impressed," she said. "Being a parent you worry about these kind of things."

In one black-and-white video a girl laments, "I was so drugged up I don't even remember the night my baby was conceived."

In another, a woman's face is shown both before and after a disfiguring drunken-driving car accident.

"Pretty raw stuff," said event organizer Chris Bayer. "These kids don't beat around the bush."

Film maker Alicia Laverdure, 18, said she wanted to make chills go up the viewer's spine. She knows people who use drugs.

"When you see it happen to your friend it's really, really awful because you see their life just going down the drain."

Celia Lugo, 15, got involved in the films through the Hispanic Services teen girl program. Each member of her group gave a personal reason for staying off drugs, such as wanting to travel, make money or buy a house for a friend.

"I like how the films show different cultures," she said as the crowd of about 50 listened. "It shows that drugs aren't good whether you're American, Mexican or whatever."

Carson High video production student Ashley Ensminger made a film about the health risks of smoking. Her senior project will explore alcoholism among teens.

"I like to try to help teenagers because there's a lot of stuff they don't know," she said.

"They think getting drunk is just a hangover but it's more than that - there are long-term affects like cancer and liver disease."

The video production students, taught by Brian Reedy, will enter their videos in the upcoming Reno Film Festival.

Matthew's father, Gary Lyon, said it's important to have kids talking to kids.

"Me talking to them makes no sense - that's just a lecture."

Parents do need to stay involved in their kids' lives, however, said Sylena Barela, 15. Sometimes parents get frustrated when their children are disobedient and they give up. That can be disastrous, she said.

"My message to parents is, 'Don't give up on your kids.'"

Gary Lyon was happy to see young people resisting alcohol and drugs.

"These are the kids who are going to own businesses, they're going to be the economic engine of the future. We need them to be bright, aware, capable, educated and engaged in the community."

CASA volunteer Patsy Shutte was impressed by the videos and the discussion.

"I think it's wonderful," she said. "It's great to see kids talking in these terms. I hope we can do more of these in the future because there's definitely a problem in the city."

Earl Seddon is a drug counselor for inmates at Northern Nevada Correctional Center. He said 80 percent of all inmates are convicted on drug-related crimes.

"So you either learn now or I teach you later," he said. "I want to applaud you for being so direct and insightful. You guys should be on TV."

"We're working on that," said Bayer.

Up next for CASA is a candle-light vigil April 13 to mark National Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness and Prevention month.

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.