The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by John Earle
Sports World Pro/Associate Pastor, Union Church of LaHarpe
In my talk I share many things about problems that young people are faced with. One is a statistic on alcohol. Seventy-five percent of date rape amongst teenagers is alcohol related. I also share that one should not bank on learning from bad experiences. Throughout your life you may have heard this . . . learn from your experiences and grow. Twenty years ago you may have heard that the decisions you made you will have to live with. Today it is quite different. The decisions that teens make today are ones they may have to die with.
I was reminded of this in a school assembly last week in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Four young ladies approached me after the talk. I knew something was up because throughout my talk there were evident tears in their eyes.
One young lady was especially touched with the statistic of a date rate. She had been put in a compromising situation when she and her boyfriend would sip on alcohol and he would then try to impress himself on her. When she replied, No, he would press harder. Was it alcohol or teen lust? I do know that the two don't mix. She said nothing happened to her but was very frightened. She then said that what she had been experiencing was what life had to offer her at the parties. She realized that her next choice could be her last choice and she didn't want others to have to experience that. She gave me a hug and said, "Thank you for making a difference in my life."
Alcohol is the #1-misused drug among teenagers in America. It is also the # one killer of teenagers today.
There are many things that can happen when sipping on alcohol and not one is good.
Remember, young people, life is about choices . . . your choices. Don't let your first choice be your last.
God Bless,
John Earle
jearle@winco.net