Tonka CARES Group Tackles Teen Drinking

Instead of ignoring the problem, Tonka CARES is bringing teen drinking into the spotlight.

The Tonka CARES group, which is a community collaboration working to reduce illegal substance use among youth in the Minnetonka School District, is hosting a community book read in February and March. 

The book, "From Binge to Blackout," was written by a mother and son after the son’s drinking started to spiral out of control.

The authors of the book will help with a few community presentations on Tuesday, Feb. 28 to students, parents and the community. Tonka CARES invites the public to welcome the authors, Chris and Toren Volkmann, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the .

Tonka CARES has a rich schedule on Feb 28 with events for many audiences– students, professionals in the prevention and treatment fields, parents, youth in treatment programs and the community at-large.

This discussion ties into a CDC report that made national headlines recently that shows binge drinking is a larger problem than previously thought: More than 38 million U.S. adults binge drink– about four times a month, with an eight drink average. Minnesota is one of the top states with the percentage of adults who binge drink.

There are community book discussions that start on Feb. 14 and continue for the next five Tuesdays. They take place at the at 101 and Minnetonka Blvd. from 6:30-8 p.m. and include free coffee.

Tonka CARES hopes to start a conversation to increase awareness levels on teen drinking.