Santa Ana project seeks to stop under-age drinking

Just in time for the holidays – a new effort is underway, according to the Orange County Register, to stop under-age drinking. The program is called Project PATH (Positive Action Toward Health) and it is run under the Community Services Program in Santa Ana (which is a county-funded campaign). Project PATH is seeking volunteers to create posters and write letters in English and Spanish, as well as other activities to halt something called “social hosting,” which is under-age access to alcohol at homes.

This may be partially a cultural problem. I recall visiting relatives in Mexico when my family would travel their on vacation, many years ago. Kids were served wine and coffee, as well as beer, because the water could not be trusted. I have read that wine is served at the dinner table in France and Italy as well, and beer is a mainstay in German homes. However, I think that the problem in the U.S. is that good intentions and age old cultural traditions have been overtaken by our popular culture, specifically hip-hop culture, which embraces anti-social behavior including gang violence, and drug and alcohol abuse. That said, this program sounds like a good idea. For more information call Millie Peralta at (949) 975-1046, ext. 222.