Because of the sensitive nature of the subject matter, the Herald assured the young people quoted in the following article about drug and alcohol use by teens that their last names would not be used and, if requested, a first name would be fabricated to preserve anonymity.
Over the past few weeks, the Village Herald spoke with students from Lynbrook, Malverne and East Rockaway High Schools, about drug and alcohol use by their fellow classmates.
Alcohol is a drug, but it's legal for adults 21 and over in New York. Underage alcohol use appears to be the most rampant problem among teens.
One Lynbrook student said, Alcohol use has become safer and smarter. Most students drink just to have a good time. A quick check of the facts proves her dead wrong. Alcohol abuse accounts for more traffic deaths than all other drugs combined. About 70 percent of high school students drink a minimum of once a week, most often on weekends.
We always get beer. It's so easy, said Mike. He said his friends manage to purchase alcohol by hanging out outside convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and bribing people who are old enough to make purchases.
Many stores don't even ask you for I.D. if you look old enough, said Allison. Most students said that getting alcohol was not a problem
