It may come as a surprise for many frazzled parents, but teenagers report that their parents are their greatest influences, Janice Williams of Louisiana Youth Prevention Services said during an Underage Drinking Town Hall sponsored by ADAPT at the Bogalusa YWCA Thursday.

That means if you drink, smoke and generally accept such behaviors as the norm, you should expect your children to do the same.

“You’ve got to be the person you want them to be,” she said.

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Williams said youth should be encouraged to take healthy risks, like auditioning for the school play, but deterred from unhealthy risks such as drinking and smoking.

And she said that although popular culture too often does the opposite, the whole community should model positive behavior.

“The problem is everywhere,” said Williams. “It’s everyone’s job.”

That includes young people who do the right thing, Washington Parish President Richard Ned Thomas told all in attendance, including more than a dozen members of the Washington Parish Youth Council.

“Your fellow students are watching you,” he said. “You’ve got to reverse peer pressure. You’ve got to use a different type. Ya’ll are what will move Washington Parish forward.”

The Town Hall ended with a Youth Council Pledge Ceremony during which 15 young women vowed to live healthy lifestyles and to advocate the lifestyle to their peers.

ADAPT’s Danielle Magee, who was named 2008 Louisiana Prevention Professional of the Year and who leads the group, was pleased.

“I definitely commend the girls on their decision to make such as pledge to live and advocate a� healthy drug-free� lifestyle,” she said. “As we hear about� teen violence, teen pregnancies,� underage drug usage and other� issues that our prevalent in our community,� a youth coalition such as the Washington Parish Youth Council is vital.

“Our goal is to�  provide a network of positive support, and equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to become young productive adults. As I shared with my youth, it is very important that we all become lights of our community in whatever darkness that may surround it.�  If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything...”

The following young ladies took the pledge: Sherrell Martin, Megion Parker, Miranda Meaux, Kimberly Spikes, Milmarie Hernandez, Brianka Peyton, Katie Jones, Kayla Pittman, Briaunna Stallings, Joiya Smith, Sarah Brown, Ashley Peters, Cal’Nesha Mingo, Darria Phillips and Calia Walker.

For additional information about the Youth Council, including about joining or volunteering, contact Magee at� 735-0160.