NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Through the district attorney's LifeSkills program, Brayton Elementary School seventh-graders learned about the perils of underage drinking.

 

James Holmes, who teaches the class, said the program hits on the myriad skills students need to navigate through the world however last week's class was focused on providing students with the skills needed to make responsible decisions.

 

"I want them to make informed decisions. That's the most important think," he said. "So if they make the wrong decision they have no excuse. I want them to know better."  

 

He said the week before last week's class on May 9 the class discussed peer pressure and how to make informed decisions when it comes to drinking or substance abuse in general.

 

This class was focused on the consequences of underage drinking, binge drinking and operating a vehicle under the influence and Police Officer Kyle Cahoon visited the class to show the students what will happen to them if they get caught with alcohol.

 

"This is the other side of the coin," Holmes told the class. "When you make that decision and I hope no one does then you get to meet this guy here …if he gets involved there is a whole other world of consequences. You may get away with it once or twice but eventually, he will get you."  

 

Cahoon first demonstrated how different breathalyzers worked and said that if someone under 21 blows a .02 they are over the legal limit.

 

He added that regardless of what their blood alcohol content is it is illegal for children to have alcohol and they could be arrested. He said if they get caught with their parents' booze they could also get their parents in trouble. 

 

"Your brains aren't done developing and drinking could hinder the growth of your brain," Cahoon said. "You could get brain damage and you would not be able to function properly."  

 

Cahoon also presented the dangers of binge drinking and told stories of children being rushed to the emergency room after consuming too much alcohol.

 

He then performed field sobriety tests on the students with and without "beer goggles" that simulate different levels of intoxication.

 

Holmes said the lesson was supped to be 25 minutes long but he felt it was important to reinforce this aspect of the course with many of the students reaching an age where they will or have come in contact with alcohol. 

 

Holmes said Lt. Jason Wood allowed Cahoon to be part of the class and he is leading efforts to have more police officers in the classroom.

 

"He has really begun to spearhead programming to make sure the guys are integrated in the school," Holmes said. "We met and had coffee and he said he really wanted to get the guys involved and I said go for it."