Mock teen party to show parents what really happens

Parents and other adults in Lyon County will get a look at what area teens may be up to when the grown-ups aren't around.

A mock teen party will be held from 6-8 p.m. April 5 at Trendsetters Manufactured Homes, highways 95A and 50 in Silver Springs.

Between 20 and 25 teens from the four Lyon County high schools will be - or appearing to be - misusing alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, cough medicines, tobacco and inhalants as parents tour through a mobile home.

Organizer Mary Boettcher of Central Lyon Youth Connections said a tour of adults will go through the party every 15-20 minutes.

The program is designed to make parents more aware of what teenagers do at unsupervised parties.

"I hope they receive some education and can better help their youth make correct choices," Boettcher said. "We believe some parents do not have any idea what their kids are doing."

CYLC, Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties, and Youth Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drug prevention teams are helping local teens put on the party.

With the help of the Lyon County Sheriff's Office, HCC and CLYC have developed a mock situation that could happen at real parties, Boettcher said.

The organizers hope parents get a true picture of an unsupervised party involving drug use. Representatives from prevention groups, recovery groups, and the sheriff's department will "debrief" adults after each party tour and discuss ways to help teens make good decisions and for reducing alcohol and other drug abuse locally.

For more information, call Boettcher at 246-0320 or Healthy Communities Coalition at 246-7550.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 881-7351.

If You Go

WHAT: Mock Teen Party

WHEN: 6-8 p.m. April 5

WHERE: Trendsetter Homes, Highways 50 and 95A, Silver Springs

CALL: 246-0320