Rob Watkins is 14 years old and attends Woodburn Junior High. He lives with his father Jim, who is a nurse, his mother Jeri, who is a librarian, and his 11 year old sister Jenna. Rob and his family moved to the Woodburn area four years ago, so he felt very lucky when he quickly developed friendships with a group of neighborhood boys that included Eric Van Aart and Paul Worthington. Rob felt like he fit right in. Eric, Paul and their other friends enjoyed the same things Rob did–football, video games and just hanging out.
Things started to change the summer before the boys entered seventh grade. Some of his friends began using marijuana and even inhalants. Rob knew his father, being in the medical profession, would say, "That stuff is illegal for a reason–it can really mess up your body and brain." Rob was convinced that if he only used alcohol, he wouldn't have any problems, and he decided that he could still fit in by using it. Rob felt that by using alcohol and avoiding illegal drugs, he would be able to remain in control of his use and his behavior.
It was Eric's end of the year party following seventh grade that taught Rob how mixed-up his ideas about alcohol were. The kids at Eric's party were playing a drinking game, consuming a lot of alcohol very quickly. Soon, many of them were very drunk. When Rob passed out, some of the kids thought he was just "sleeping it off." It was good that others took Rob's condition more seriously. If Eric's sister had not called 911, Rob could have died from the alcohol poisoning.
Rob was taken by ambulance to the hospital where his stomach was pumped. He was in the hospital for a few days receiving care for the alcohol overdose. Because Rob was drinking alcohol underage, he was issued a citation and had to go to court to meet with an intake worker. After he was released from the hospital, he was required to participate in alcohol and drug counseling at the community youth center. Rob was also required to do community service and serve 45 days of probation.
Rob's experiences have taught him the importance of spending time with friends who have made the same choices to stay away from bad situations. Rob avoids other friends who continue to use, like Paul. He and Eric now enjoy the same things they did before, and they're always looking for safe, responsible ways to have fun. Rob's not glad that he got alcohol poisoning, "I've never felt so awful in my life. My whole body felt sick, and I felt embarrassed and guilty for doing something so dumb." But he is glad that it made him think more carefully about his choices. "At least now I've learned more about what alcohol can really do to you."
Rob is featured in The Kids on the Block program on ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs).