David 
Strupp
Centerfold Editor
@dstrupp_courant
After Chris Herren spoke at NCHS about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, many students began to realize that they did not need alcohol to have a good time or interact socially. Senior Jamie* sees the drinking culture amongst NCHS students differently; instead of drinking to forget or be someone else, he believes that drinking is one of the only ways to have fun. “Chris Herren had no affect on my drinking. There is almost nothing to do in New Canaan besides going to parties because everything is either too expensive, too far or just a hassle to deal with,” he said. “On the other hand, parties are simpler, generally cheaper and a lot more socially accepting because you are exposed to new people weekly and can share fun experiences with a wide variety of people.”
Senior Taylor* also believes that there is a strong drinking culture amongst teenagers at NCHS but does think that there are some academic and social pressures that play a role in students’ desire to drink. “I think kids drink to have that sense of rebelliousness that you’re doing something illegal and the sense that they have no inhibitions,” he said. “Also, kids are really stressed out about school and after the SAT or finals; kids want to decompress.”
Junior Sam* also believes that social pressures and the desperation for social interaction plays a role in the New Canaan drinking culture. “If all of your friends are going to a party and that is the way they are having fun, then you are not going stay home alone. If you’re a social person and everyone is at a party, then you’re going to want to be social,” he said. “If our teen society decides that drinking is what people should do, then that’s what people will do.”
Although she recognizes teen drinking as illegal and “wrong,” Senior Avery* does not believe that there is as big a risk as authorities and parents suggest. “Obviously not everybody, but most people do not drink and drive and do dangerous things that everyone would think they do,” she said. “I know drinking is still dangerous and I am not trying to say it is entirely safe, but people tend to be safe even though they are ultimately making the wrong choice.”
On the other hand, many students have come to realize the dangers of underage drinking. After discovering the harsh consequences of drinking after being caught at a party by police, senior Jordan* has found other fun ways to occupy his time. “I definitely have learned my lesson and now that I am not grounded anymore I don’t have the same temptation to go out as much,” he said. “I found that there are things to do other than putting myself at risk. Sometimes instead of going to a huge party, I’ll stay home and catch up on my Netflix.”
Like Jordan*, senior Drew* finds sober alternatives to socializing and spending his free time, as he believes that sober experiences are some of the most rewarding. “I like to spend my time longboarding and hanging out with my girlfriend. You could just get drunk and be confident with any girl, but if you are sober then it’s a much deeper level of connection. Obviously it would be fun to do activities while intoxicated but it’s not as memorable, not as real,” he said. “Like Chris Herren said, drinking is like a mask and instead of hiding behind that mask, you want to let people know who you are.”
Many students believe that there is a happy medium between binge drinking and staying at home to promote safety and still maintain the same degree of socialization. Senior Chase* drinks in moderation with his parents and can see the benefits of having an open dialogue about alcohol with your family. “I think that most kids in the school drink, and as much as some parents try to stop it, it will keep happening. That’s why I find it important to create this dialogue between the parents and the kids so parents don’t preach an idea of remaining sober all through high school since that’s never going to happen,” he said. “Drinking at home has taught me my limits of drinking, and I think that if more parents allowed their kids to drink at home we would not have as many kids end up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning.”
Similar to Chase*, Taylor* suggests another way to maintain the balance between alcohol abuse and the interaction with students outside of school. “There is a way to have a separate time to go out and have fun, but then you can also make sure that the rest of your time does not revolve around drinking,” he said. “You can abuse it, in the sense that the only time you go out is when you drink, but a lot of people will go to see a movie, get lunch or hang out at someone’s house in addition to occasionally drinking.”
*name has been changed
