RUMFORD — Movies, a bonfire, interactive games and information on how to make safe choices were among the dozens of ideas proposed Wednesday night by a group of parents, police officers and school administrators to help students stay away from drugs and alcohol and the consequences of using them.

Keeping Students Safe, a program aimed at helping young people make good choices, began at Mountain Valley High School three years ago after a major underage drinking party took place in neighboring Roxbury the year before.

“Police, parents, the school were all blaming each other. It was an embarrassment,” Principal Matt Gilbert said. “We decided we ought to do something better, and adults were not coming up with solutions, just blame.”

The Keeping Students Safe program was the result. For the past two years, a variety of activities and education have been offered to juniors and seniors. This year the goal is to offer such events each Wednesday afternoon starting on April 27, as well as other activities occasionally during the weekends.

Wednesday night’s group got together to offer their ideas for both educational and fun activities for the young people.

“Underage drinking has become more publicized. We’re trying to say it’s not OK,” Gilbert said. “We hadn’t given them a positive place.”

The latest statistics show that the Rumford Police Department responded to 41 calls in 2009 related to underage drinking, that schools in the River Valley have a higher incidence of drinking than the Oxford County and state averages, and that both freshman and seniors have high incidences of alcohol usage.

Rumford police Chief Stacey Carter said the issue is important. That’s why seven members of his department attended Wednesday’s meeting.

“We are committed to making an aggressive change during the spring and summer for both kids and their parents,” he said. “We will have grants to increase our goals.”

Sgt. Tracey Higley said the Wednesday afternoon events, many of which will be instructional, are meant to build up to the most dangerous time for young people, which is between the end of April vacation and graduation.

Diane Gallagher, director of Safe Voices (formerly AWAP), said young people are at risk when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

She said the youth group Voices Committed to Change will devise a multimedia presentation on relationship issues.

K-12 social worker David Walton said emphasis should be placed on the progression of alcoholism and efforts should be made to change teen culture.

Sue Mills, health and safety officer at NewPage Corp., offered to buy a variety of items for use during the five weeks before the June 2 graduation, including an impaired driver simulator, rewards for healthy behaviors and educational games.

Other ideas proposed by the group included an oldies dance, a game night at Hosmer Field, crash dummy simulator equipment, an Xbox tournament, a hike up Tumbledown Mountain and many other diverse activities.

“Students just want to be together,” Gilbert said.

The group decided that the best way to make sure young people are in the informational loop is to use texting, instant messaging, Facebook or some other electronic method.

Gilbert said the ideas will be presented to students and a survey will be taken of what might work and what might not.

Any member of the community who has ideas, who may want to volunteer or who wants to donate money to help fund some of the events may contact Gilbert or Assistant Principal Chris Decker at 364-4547.

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