What do MIP's, house parties, and illegal and prescription drugs all have in common?  They were the topics of discussion during a recent presentation by the 48th District Court Judges in  the Bloomfield Township courthouse.  The presentation was open to the public in the surrounding communities and sponsored by the Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition, Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition, Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities and the BBFA.  It was very well attended, forcing the judges to use two different courtrooms in order to accommodate everyone.  The judges (Marc Barron, Diane D'Agostini and Kimberly Small) and Bloomfield Township Police Chief Kirt Bowden then rotated between the two with their presentations.  After each, the Q & A proved to be helpful as parents and teens alike asked questions.  The consequences and costs associated with bad choices were also explained to the audience.

The Rev. Lauren Kirsh-Carr, president of the Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition's board of directors, commented on the evening, "I was impressed with the deep concern that the judges of the 48th District Court showed for the teens and young adults in our community.  the judges not only presented very useful information but they demonstrated a strong commitment to making a healthier and substance-free community in which to raise our children." 

As caring parents and concerned community members, we want our youth to grow up in safe communities.  In order to make that happen, we all need to understand the laws and the consequences that face our teens.  We are very fortunate to have local judges who care about our kids and their futures.