Newspaper Article Today

http://www.dailycommercial.com/020109wall

Print Email Comment (0)

“They can look at my pain and choose not to experience it,” said Myra Johnson during an interview about the loss of her son, four years ago, Benjamin “Benji” Johnson, 19, in her classroom at Fruitland Park elementary on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. Johnson said she is on a mission and that education is key to teenagers making better decisions regarding drinking. Johnson has dedicated her time to speaking out against teenage drinking with the “Be the Wall” campaign.

Related Links

published: Sunday, February 01, 2009

Erecting a wall between teens and alcohol

DAVID DONALD

Staff Writer

FRUITLAND PARK —Myra Johnson wants to tell the story about the night her son died, as long as it can save lives.

The Fruitland Park Elementary school teacher’s 19-year-old son, Benji, died in an alcohol-related traffic accident in 2005.

Benji was riding in the passenger seat of his friend’s car after a Florida State University fraternity party in Tallahassee. They had been drinking alcohol at the party.

After the party they were driving home and the driver feel asleep at the wheel, Johnson said. When the driver woke up, they were traveling at a high rate of speed. The car flipped end-over-end. Police said if Benji had been wearing his seat belt he might have survived.

“I intend to speak about this and have an impact on people for the rest of my life,” Johnson said. “That is my duty and responsibility.”

Johnson has shared her story with students and parents at mock DUI, or “driving under the influence,” events at high schools. Now Johnson is speaking directly to parents as part of the Safe Climate Coalition’s “Be the Wall” campaign.

Johnson has already appeared on Lake Front TV to discuss the campaign and tell her story.

The campaign aims to encourage parents to talk to their teens about the dangerous effects of alcohol and to eradicate myths that underage drinking is a rite of passage or that drinking with adult supervision makes it safe and okay.

“It’s not a rite of passage, it’s community norm,” said Debi MacIntyre, executive director of the coalition.

Not only does underage drinking lead to risky behavior, it could affect a teen’s health.

Child safety advocates say research shows a teen’s brain is still developing until the mid-20s, and teens who drink large quantities of alcohol could deter the brain’s development.

“We want parents to set the example,” said MacIntyre. “Be clear, be firm, be consistent. We want them to ‘Be the Wall.’”

But teens are rebellious and they might not always listen to their parents. When teens exhibit that quintessential streak of rebellion parents might give up. That’s no reason to quit trying, said MacIntyre. In most cases parents are the people teens listen to the most, she said.

“Parents aren’t here to be friends; they’re here to be parents,” she said. “People don’t realize how important a partner parents are.”

Johnson said she always discussed consequences of underage drinking and drinking and driving with her son.

In retrospect, Johnson said she could have been more aggressive with her son and asked him more questions about his trip to Tallahassee and if there would be alcohol involved.

But the decision ultimately rests upon the teen, she said.

“Our teens have the capacity to make the right choice,” said Johnson. “We can arm them with greater knowledge so they won’t be tempted to drink.”