Documentary on Local Underage Drinking Premieres Feb. 21

It's a No-Brainer, a documentary about underage alcohol use among local youth, premieres 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Court Square Theater in Harrisonburg. Refreshments will be served, and a discussion will follow.

The documentary explores the danger that alcohol poses to adolescent brain development, noted Brian Kelley, PhD, department chair of psychology at Bridgewater College. Dr. Kelley served as project adviser.

"Early exposure to alcohol and abused drugs have the capacity to cause widespread alterations in brain development, placing youth at increased risk for a lifetime of problems with alcohol use and abuse," Dr. Kelley said.

The film, written, directed and produced by the Strong Families/Great Youth Coalition in collaboration with WHSV TV, involves nearly 50 local youth and adults addressing the public health issue of underage drinking in our community.

"The 2009 Harrisonburg and Rockingham Youth Data Survey indicate the average age of onset for alcohol use in our area is 13.4 years," said Tonya Osinkoksy, health education awareness coordinator, RMH Community Health, and project director of the Strong Families/Great Youth Coalition. "Additionally, nearly a quarter of all adolescents ages 12-18 in our local area have consumed alcohol in the past 30 days."

The documentary is funded by a federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention through the Virginia Department of Alcohol Beverage Control. The premiere is made possible through a grant from the Arts Council of the Valley, a donation from Eagle Distributing and catering by Cathy Stewart.

The event is free and open to the public.